Critical Illness Insurance for Parkinson’s Disease
Alzheimer’s is a progressive neurological disorder illness that causes degeneration of brain neurons and affects the functions of the nervous system, brain and the body. The patient usually suffers from memory, thinking, and behavioural issues. As the disease causes denigration to the brain neurons the progression of the illness leads to the death of the patient. The following article will shed light on the disease, its causes, symptoms and advantages of having critical illness insurance to cover Alzheimer’s Disease.
What is Alzheimer’s Disease?
Alzheimer’s Disease is a neurological disorder wherein the neurons and the nervous system are affected. The disease is a type of dementia and around 4 million people in India are suffering by it every year. The cause of this critical illness is still unknown. However, the rising number of patients with dementia and Alzheimer’s has made this critical illness one of the top global health issues to be tackled by numerous health organisations.
The real cause of the disease is still unknown. Researchers are conducting studies to understand the cause and effect of the disease on the population. Alzheimer’s is caused by to presence of certain protein in the brain that causes improper functioning of the brain causing difficulty in memorising events, dates, recollection of memories, learning issues, communication challenges, etc.
Alzheimer’s Disease is a life-threatening disease as the degeneration of the brain neurons leads to the death of an individual. Therefore having critical illness insurance for such life life-threatening disease is important as it helps in having a financial cushion in the event of a sudden diagnosis of such an illness.
What are the Causes of Alzheimer’s Disease?
The cause of Alzheimer’s Disease is unknown but the researchers have stated some of the very intriguing facts about this illness. They say that Alzheimer’s Disease is caused due to two proteins namely Amyloid and Tau. Each of the proteins plays a role in degrading the health of the neurons of the brain. Amyloid and Tau proteins place themselves between the brain neurons thereby affecting the communication between the neurons in the brain. The communication between the neurons in the brain is important as they are responsible for our bodily functions like memory, planning, communication, focus, learning, etc.
The presence of proteins in the brain has a profound impact on the normal functioning of the body, brain and nervous system. The elevated levels of the proteins cause nerve cell damage and it progresses with age. The older individuals are commonly patients of the Alzheimer’s Disease. In some cases, Alzheimer’s can also be found in young individuals however it is rare. This disease is complex in nature therefore researchers are continuously carrying out research to understand the functioning, reasons and causes of this disease.
Symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s Disease is a neurological illness that affects the brain. The cause of the disease is unknown but people with a medical history have a high chance of contracting the illness. Alzheimer’s Disease has a profound impact on the physical and mental well-being of an individual. This disease not only affects emotionally but also has a huge financial impact on the lives of the individual and his/her family.
Alzheimer’s Disease is a life-altering illness as the patient and their family experience significant changes in the health of the patient thereby disturbing their daily life. The following are a few common symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease seen in patients:
1. Difficulty in Completing Tasks:
Everyday activities become increasingly challenging.
2. Problem-Solving Challenges:
Simple problem-solving tasks can become quite difficult.
3. Social Withdrawal:
The person may withdraw from friends and family, creating emotional distance.
4. Communication Struggles:
Both written and spoken communication can become problematic.
5. Mood and Behavioural Changes:
Shifts in behaviour and mood can be noticeable.
6. Memory Problems:
Remembering recently learned information becomes tough.
7. Confusion:
There may be confusion about time, place, and events.
8. Speech, Swallowing, and Walking Difficulties:
Basic functions like speaking, swallowing, and walking can be compromised.
9. Unfounded Suspicions:
The affected person may develop unwarranted suspicions about their family.
10. Spatial and Visual Issues:
Difficulty in understanding spatial relationships and visual information can occur.
The above-mentioned symptoms affect the individual on emotional, physical and psychological levels. Additionally, in the event of diagnosis of the illness, the patient and their family face significant financial impact on their savings. Facing Alzheimer’s Disease is a challenging journey therefore having support from family, loved ones and friends is important.
What are the Possible Treatment Options of Alzheimer’s Disease?
As of today, no cure has been found to cure or stop the progression of Alzheimer’s Disease. However, the researchers suggest numerous ways in which one can temporarily slow the progression of the illness. Following are a few ways in which patients with Alzheimer’s can improve their quality of life and slow the symptoms of the disease:
• Intake of medicines like memantine and cholinesterase inhibitors
• Creating a safe environment for Alzheimer’s patients
• Intake of vitamin E, omega 3 fatty acids, ginkgo, etc.
• Lifestyle changes thereby making exercise a part of daily routine
• Dietary changes to include fruits, vegetables, sprouts, etc as a part of daily diet.
Does all Critical Illness Plans provide Coverage for Alzheimer’s Disease?
Yes, most Critical Illness Health Insurance Plans do cover Alzheimer’s Disease diagnosis and its treatment expenses.
A critical illness insurance policy that includes Alzheimer’s disease coverage isn’t your typical health plan. Thus, having a critical illness insurance plan will help as the insurance provider will offer insurance payout in the event of the diagnosis of the critical illness so this payout can be utilized for the treatment of the disease or to support the financial needs of the loved ones.
Once diagnosed with a critical illness like Alzheimer’s a disease whose cure is yet to be determined. The insurance provider will pay out the money thereby making it easier for you as the money can be utilised to satisfy payments related to medicines, and treatment, utilized to settle loans, financial support to loved ones for maintaining their lifestyle, etc.
What is the Importance of Critical Illness Insurance for Alzheimer’s Disease?
Dealing with Alzheimer’s disease can be incredibly costly, which is why having your medical expenses covered by a critical illness health insurance policy is so important. You can easily explore comprehensive health insurance plans that include coverage for Alzheimer’s disease online.
Treating a critical illness like Alzheimer’s can quickly drain your savings, making it challenging to continue working and maintain your usual lifestyle. Therefore buying critical illness insurance for Alzheimer’s Disease is an important decision.
Usually, your employer or current health insurance plan will cover the expenses incurred for the treatment of the disease up to a certain limit. However, a critical illness insurance policy takes a different approach. It pays out a lump sum as soon as the disease is diagnosed, offering you immediate financial assistance.
Who Needs Insurance for Alzheimer’s Disease?
Availing of critical illness insurance for Alzheimer’s Disease is important for individuals:
• Who has a medical history of the disease
• Who have a family medical history where close relatives are suffering with the disease
• Who is the sole breadwinner in the family
• Who wants to create a financial cushion in the event of a sudden diagnosis of a critical disease?
Thus, availing of critical illness insurance for Alzheimer’s Disease will help individuals and their families to be financially prepared for a sudden diagnosis of the critical illness.
Why is it important to opt for an Alzheimer’s Disease Critical illness Insurance Policy?
Even if you have an indemnity health insurance plan?
Yes, even if you hold an indemnity health insurance plan holding a critical illness insurance policy is important as both the insurance policies are suitable as the purpose of both the insurance cover is different. The purpose of the Indemnity health insurance plan is to cover a wide range of illnesses along with the expenses related to hospitalisation.
A dedicated critical illness insurance policy for Alzheimer’s Disease offers coverage in case of the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease.
What are the Preventive Measures against Alzheimer's Disease?
Alzheimer’s is a neurological illness for which there is no cure. Practising preventive measures will help in prolonging the effects of this serious illness. The following are a few preventive measures against Alzheimer’s:
• Engaging in physical activities like aerobics, walking, swimming, trekking, jogging, etc. can help to prolong the progression of the disease
• Intake of healthy food in the diet like vegetables, sprouts, whole grains, fruits etc. can act as a preventive measure to keep Alzheimer’s at bay.
• Engaging in mind-challenging games like Sudoku, word cross, chess, etc. to keep the mind active.
List of Insurance Policies for Alzheimer’s Disease
The following table indicates a few of the popular critical illness insurance plans for Alzheimer’s Disease.
| Plan Name | Particulars and Features |
| HDFC Ergo Critical Illness Platinum Plan |
|
| Care Critical Illness Health Insurance Cover |
|
| Future Generali Critical Illness Health Insurance |
|
| Tata AIG Critical Illness Plan |
|
What are the Benefits of having a Critical Illness Insurance Plan for Alzheimer’s Disease?
Having a critical illness insurance for Alzheimer’s Disease is beneficial for the following reasons:
• Financial Cushion:
Alzheimer’s is a serious illness having critical illness insurance will offer a financial cushion to you and your loved ones in challenging times. In the event of diagnosis, the insurance provider will provide lump sum money that can be utilized for the treatment of the disease.
• Wide Insurance Coverage:
Critical illness insurance for Alzheimer’s Disease not only offers insurance coverage for this disease but also covers a wide range of critical illnesses.
• Keep savings intact:
Critical illnesses are serious in nature their diagnosis and treatment can drain out the savings as diseases like Alzheimer’s require constant medical attention. Therefore, having an insurance cover in place will help you to be prepared monetarily for such future events.
Inclusions and Exclusions of Critical Illness Insurance for Alzheimer’s Disease
Following is a list of standard inclusions in the critical illness insurance for Alzheimer’s Disease:
• Day-care Expenses:
An Alzheimer’s patient needs frequent treatment i.e. day hospitalisation which does not exceed 24 hours called day care expenses. Such expenses are usually covered under the critical illness Insurance for Alzheimer’s Disease.
• Hospitalisation charges:
In cases where hospitalisation is more than 24 hours the expenses of room rent, ICU charges in case of severe cases, doctor fees, nurse fees etc. are usually covered under the insurance plan.
• Pre-hospitalisation and Post-Hospitalisation expenses:
These expenses refer to the costs incurred before and after the hospitalisation of the patient like the medicine cost, ambulance charges, follow-up charges etc. These are usually covered under the plan.
Following is a list of standard exclusions in the critical illness insurance for Alzheimer’s Disease:
• Diagnostic expenses:
These expenses refer to the blood tests, CT scans, and X-rays required to be done by the patient in order to diagnose the disease and its progression. The cost of the diagnostic tests is usually not covered in the insurance coverage.
• Pre-existing condition:
If the patient is already diagnosed with Alzheimer’s getting insurance coverage immediately for the disease might be difficult as many of the critical illness insurance for Alzheimer’s Disease have a waiting period after which the insurance provider offers insurance coverage.
Thus, in this manner, any individual who wants to buy critical illness insurance for Alzheimer’s Disease must first understand the inclusions and exclusions under the policy in order to get a clear understanding of the insurance coverage.
Eligibility for Critical Illness Insurance for Alzheimer’s Disease
Eligibility criteria for critical illness insurance for Alzheimer’s Disease differs from one insurance provider to another. However, a general thumb rule is that individuals to be covered under the insurance coverage should be in the age group of 18 years to 65 years. Both males and females can opt for insurance coverage. The age of the proposer of the critical illness insurance should be more than 18 years.
Features of Critical Illness Insurance for Alzheimer’s Disease
Understanding the features of critical illness insurance for Alzheimer’s Disease is important as it helps in understanding the terms and conditions of the policy. The following are the features of the critical illness insurance for Alzheimer’s Disease:
1. Insurance Coverage:
The insurance policy offers financial coverage to the policyholder against critical illnesses thereby offering financial cushion to the family.
2. Lump sum payment:
In case of a diagnosis of a critical illness, the insurance provider will pay out a lump sum amount to the patient. The amount received as a lump sum amount can be utilized for the treatment.
3. Waiting period:
There are certain terms and conditions mentioned in the policy document pertaining to the waiting period.
4. Survival Period:
Survival period refers to the time period for which the insured should survive. Usually, the survival period is 30 days however it is best to read the policy document before purchasing the policy.
5. Exclusions:
It is important to understand what is not covered under the critical illness insurance for Alzheimer’s.
Who Should Buy Critical Illness Insurance Plan for Alzheimer’s Disease?
Buying a critical illness insurance plan for Alzheimer’s Disease is important as it is a severe illness. The cost of treatment for this illness is heavy on the pocket therefore having a financial cushion is very helpful. Buying a critical illness insurance plan for Alzheimer’s Disease is beneficial for:
• Individuals more than 40 years of age
• Individuals having a family history of Alzheimer’s
• Individuals involved in high-pressure jobs
• Individuals who are primary breadwinners of the family
Tax Benefits of Alzheimer’s Disease Insurance
The premium paid for critical illness insurance for Alzheimer’s Disease is deductible under section 80D of the Income Tax Act, of 1961. An individual can purchase critical illness insurance for Alzheimer’s Disease for themselves, their spouse, children, or dependent parents. Following are tax benefits that can be availed on the premium paid:
• Individuals aged less than 60 years can claim a tax deduction of Rs 25000 every year for themselves, their spouses and their children.
• A maximum of Rs 50000 can be claimed as a tax deduction for 60 years of age.
• An individual can claim a tax deduction for the premium paid for parents.
The following table will help you understand the tax benefit in a better manner
| Particulars | Self, Spouse, and dependent children | Parents | Max Tax Deduction u/s 80D |
| When everyone is under the age of 60 years | INR 25000 | INR 25000 | INR 50000 |
| When parents are above 60 years | INR 25000 | INR 50000 | INR 75000 |
| Both your parents and your family are over 60 years | INR 50000 | INR 50000 | INR 1,00,000 |
Key Factors to Consider While Purchasing Critical Illness Insurance for an Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s Disease is a neurological illness for which a cure is yet to be found. In this scenario, it is important to avail of critical illness insurance for Alzheimer’s Disease as the cost of treatment for the disease is expensive. The following are the key factors to be considered while purchasing critical illness insurance for Alzheimer’s Disease.
• Medical History:
If your close relative has been suffering from the disease then buying critical illness insurance to cover Alzheimer’s Disease is a beneficial decision.
• Financial support:
In the event of diagnosis of the disease the insurance company offers a pay-out that can be utilized for the treatment of the disease or the pay-out can be utilized by your loved ones as financial aid to satisfy their financial needs.
• Peace of Mind:
Having critical illness insurance in place for such a serious illness offers peace of mind as you know you have made financial provisions for yourself and your loved ones in case of a diagnosis of the disease.
Tips to Take Care of an Alzheimer’s Patient
Alzheimer’s is a serious illness where patients need care and attention 24*7. Following are certain tips to be undertaken in order to take care of an Alzheimer’s Patient.
• Routine Check-up:
Patients with Alzheimer’s Disease need monitoring. A proper routine in terms of daily life and medical tests would be beneficial for them. Periodic examination by the doctors will help the patient and family members to keep track of the progression of the disease.
• Reduced Distractions:
Patients with Alzheimer’s Disease are highly susceptible to distractions. Therefore, avoiding distractions like TV, Music, Mobile, etc. will help them focus.
• Known Environment:
Create a home where the patients of Alzheimer’s Disease feel protected and safe.
• Be Compassionate:
Patients of Alzheimer’s Disease need love, compassion, understanding and patience. Create an environment that would make them feel safe and secure.
The Medical Costs Associated with Alzheimer’s Disease Treatment:
The cost incurred for treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease is expensive so having a critical illness insurance cover for the disease will help in overcoming the costs associated with the Alzheimer’s Disease. The following is the list of costs incurred during the treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease:
• Medical examinations and tests
• Hospitalisation expenses
• The cost of treatment i.e. doctor’s fee
• Rent of the hospital room
• Charges of the ICU
• Cost of medicines
• Ambulance cost, etc.
How to Buy Alzheimer’s Disease Insurance Plans Online?
Buying an online Critical Illness Insurance for Alzheimer’s Disease is very simple. The following are steps to buy insurance coverage online:
1. Select the insurer and the policy:
Carry out an in-depth analysis of the available critical illness insurance plans in the market. Opt for the policy that best satisfies your insurance and financial needs.
2. Choose Rider and other Additional Benefits needed:
Check whether the policy you choose provides a rider facility. If the rider option is available then opt for the rider that offers maximum insurance coverage so that your financial needs in times of contingency are taken care of by the insurance provider.
3. Sum Coverage:
Once you have selected the plan, decide the sum insurance. Take into consideration your and your family’s future financial needs while deciding the sum insured under critical illness insurance for Alzheimer’s Disease. Premium would then be decided according to the coverage, your health, current medical conditions, etc.
4. Fill Proposal Form:
Fill out the detailed proposal form of the insurance provider. Provide all the data correctly along with medical conditions if any.
5. Premium Payment:
Once the plan and sum insurance is decided it’s time to buy the plan. Buying critical illness insurance is done by paying the premium of the policy. The premium can be paid online or in offline mode.
6. Medical Test:
Conduct the medical tests as required by the insurance provider, if any at the earliest.
Once all the required steps are fulfilled the insurance provider will send the insurance policy to you either in an electronic or physical manner.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Critical illness insurance is a policy that offers insurance coverage in the event of developing a serious disease. In case any such mentioned severe disease is diagnosed then the insured receives the pay-out in the manner mentioned in the policy document.
Critical Illness Insurance coverage is an important insurance tool that offers financial cushion to you and your family in the event of diagnosis of a serious disease.
Critical illness insurance offers insurance coverage to individuals in the age group of 5 years to 65 years. However, the age of the proposer for critical illness insurance for Alzheimer’s Disease should be more than 18 years of age.
Many of the insurance companies have critical illness insurance that offers insurance coverage to individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease. However, it is best to know the details of the plan before buying.
Unfortunately No, multiple claims for the same disease are not allowed under critical illness insurance.
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