Families of Alzheimer’s patients often deal with difficult decisions

Tammy Moore, 45, of Oklahoma City once earned $120,000 as an executive for a medical billing company. Today, she’s facing bankruptcy and hoping to hang onto her $40,000-a-year job.

Moore’s ailing career and personal finances directly correspond to the failing health of her 79-year-old mother who, after an Alzheimer’s disease diagnosis, moved in with her five years ago.

For flexible hours, Moore accepted a step-down billing manager’s job at an orthopedic practice, but started doing medical billing from home a year ago, after her mother was found roaming the neighborhood. Then, two weeks ago, Moore moved her mom into the locked-down wing of an assisted living center.

"My doctor gave me a choice: place mom or she’d get a court order for my hospitalization,” said Moore, who’s suffering from high blood pressure, severe depression, exhaustion and financial hardship.

Medicare and Medicaid covered most of her mother’s medical bills, but her mom’s $600 monthly Social Security check fell short of covering Moore’s extra costs including a larger rent home, exorbitant utility bills when her mom left on the stove and lights, medical co-pays, buttonless clothing, disposable diapers, antacids, support hose and Ensure. Moore recently returned her sport-utility vehicleto the dealer and fears she’ll have to file for bankruptcy.

"I gave up everything, but I’d do it again,” she said.

Moore’s experiences are common to many families who reach out to the Alzheimer’s Association for support and education, said Mark Fried, executive vice president of the association’s Oklahoma and Arkansas chapter.

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