Aricept patient assistance program

Originally posted by Cathy J.M.:Medicare Part D signups are closed for this year; open again sometime in the fall — Nov.1?The Medicare site should say.Medicare Part D covers prescriptions like any other insurance — monthly premium, deductible (for most plans) and copay.But there are various levels of assistance available.The highest level of assistance reduces these costs to almost nothing, and there’s no donut hole for people getting assistance.(The donut hole, being phased out under the new medical insurance legislation, can make prescriptions cost thousands a year.)Another option is to opt, again when it’s possible to switch at the end of the year, for a Medicare advantage plan that combines supplementary insurance (to cover the 20% that Medicare doesn’t cover) with prescription coverage.Meanwhile — till it’s possible to sign up — you can ask a doctor for samples, and can apply to each manufacturer for patient assistance.Whether or not it’s granted depends on income.The doctor has to sign off on each application.But if income is low enough and the program is available for the prescriptions, it’s worth whatever paperwork and hassle is involved.(Been there, done that!)Buying from Canada might help, but it’s a lot tougher than it used to be.Ask the pharmacy, too, for tips on discount cards that might help.In poking around the California DHHS site …there are a number of different typesof long-term care services facilities you might check into.The total number of loved ones who have early-onset dementias may or may not be large enough to warrant special facilities dedicated specifically to them, but there are other young adults who require assisted living, too — those with mental retardation, developmental disabilities, stroke victims, etc.

http://www.cahf.org/AboutCAHF/…eToLongTermCare.aspxIntermediate-care facilities for the developmentally disabled (ICF/DDs) – Known at the federal level as ICFs/MR (mental retardation), these facilities provide services for people of all ages with mental retardation and/or developmental disabilities.ICF/DDs have 16 or more beds; ICF/DD-H (habilitative) and -Ns (nursing) have 15 or fewer beds and average six beds in a home setting.ICF/DD-CN (Continuous Nursing) is a 10 facility waiver pilot program providing licensed vocational or registered nursing on a 24-hour basis for 4-15 clients in a home-like community based setting.- Regulation – Licensed and Medi-Cal certified by CDPH.The Department of Developmental Services and Regional Centers are responsible for placement and quality assurance.- Payment – Nearly 100% Medi-Cal.Institutes for mental health (SNF/STPs) – Designated in California as “special treatment programs,” these facilities provide extended treatment periods for people of all ages with chronic mental-health problems; many of the clients are younger than 65.Specialized staff serve clients in a secured environment.- Regulation – Licensed and Medi-Cal certified by CDPH.Local mental health departments are responsible for placement and program content.- Payment – A combination of state and county funding.There is contact info for this agency at the bottom of each page.There is also a search engine for facilities in California:http://www.cahf.org/OurMembers…roviderFacility.aspx.Iris,Thanks for your reply.I will be asking the Neurologist to double check all of those critical levels when we go in on the 2nd of June.

We met with her GP yesterday and he had a good talk with her about getting into some PT – OT.If something is not accomplished to get her physically strong enough to get up and down, in and out of bed, etc.I will no longer be able to keep her at home.The thought of that breaks my heart.We hope to hear something more on Monday regarding a home visit for more assessment and or to begin some kind of a program.The outlook is not too promising.We had to call 911 again yesterday.The good news is that we went to the Mariner’s game, (2 hours to get her into the car, help getting her in the wheelchair and back in the car after the game.) and she really enjoyed being there.I think it was the most fun and joy I have seen in her in months.On the way home in the car she said.”How did we find that vacation place?What city was it and do we have to fly home.” She commented again and again how fun it was and how nice all the people were that we talked to.When we got home she wanted to know where the kids were.I never did figure that one out but I rejoiced in the fun we had.Then she would not go to bed.It was 6:00 AM when I finally got her into the bed, after two falls (non injury) (I did manage to get her back up without calling 911 which was another victory).I had a meeting at 7:30 AM and came home and crashed from 9:30 – 1:30.She is still asleep at 5:00 PM.I woke her to be sure she was OK and that her blood sugar was OK and she said she had to go back to sleep.I will get her up, if I can in a few minutes.She seems to have a bit more delirium.Is that a side effect of starting the Aricept?(She has only had two doses.