We lost another great to Alzheimer’s today, Malcolm Young of AC/DC dies at 64. This awful disease that will affect 1 in 4 – either with it or as a caregiver – and that will be a top focus of my office when I get to Congress. It is a disease we MUST find a cause for and a cure. The numbers are increasing at an alarming rate.
What most don’t realize is that daily care, assisted living, memory care will not be covered by your regular medical insurance, Medicare, or Medicaid. Many are surprised when it is too late to do anything about it – and – you can’t leave an Alzheimer’s patient alone. We spent around $42,000 over 2 1/2 years for Mom’s care in addition to her Social Security and VA benefits. It wiped out her savings and most of ours.
Malcolm’s family had the money to care for him and put him with the best caregivers. This disease will be one of the biggest economic disasters to hit this country if we don’t do something now. Medicare For All (which would cover care), research, and caregiver tax credits would go a long way towards helping people cope with this disease.
BTW – you can’t write off any of the care or medical expenses with the new “tax reform” bill now with the Senate. Call your senators today and say NO to their bait and switch for the rich.
*Dayna Steele is the Democratic candidate for Congress TX 36 covering most of southeast Texas. She spent years as one of the top rock radio personalities in the country becoming a business motivational speaker. She lost her mother to Alzheimer’s and wrote a book about the experience, “Surviving Alzheimer’s with Friends, Facebook, and a Really Big Glass of Wine.” Learn more at daynasteele36.com