Paying for Care
What Medicare covers for dementia care
Medicare covers a lot of medical care — and almost no long-term care. Knowing the line saves families thousands.
Updated 2026-02-15
What Medicare DOES cover
- Doctor visits, neurology, geriatrics, psychiatry (Part B).
- Hospital stays and short-term skilled nursing rehab after a 3-day inpatient stay (Part A — up to 100 days, with copays starting day 21).
- Home health — skilled nursing, PT, OT, speech, social work — if homebound and a doctor orders it (Part A/B).
- Hospice — when prognosis is ≤6 months (Part A, no copay).
- Most medications (Part D, with copays).
- GUIDE navigation, caregiver training, and respite (no copay, traditional Medicare only).
What Medicare does NOT cover
- Long-term care at home or in a facility (this is the big one — it's why families burn through savings).
- Custodial care — help with bathing, dressing, supervision — unless it comes alongside skilled care.
- Adult day programs (some Medicare Advantage plans now offer them as a supplemental benefit — check your plan).
- Most assisted living and memory care.
Frequently asked questions
- Does Medicare cover Lecanemab or Donanemab?
- Yes — Medicare Part B covers FDA-approved amyloid-clearing drugs for eligible patients. Required: amyloid biomarker confirmation, ongoing MRI safety monitoring, and a participating infusion site.
- Does Medicare cover memory care assisted living?
- No. Memory care assisted living is room, board, and custodial care — none of which Medicare pays for. Some residents use VA Aid and Attendance, LTC insurance, or Medicaid waivers.
Every dementia journey is different.
Memory Lane Care helps you understand what applies to your loved one, what to expect next, and which resources fit your family's situation.
Related across the journey
Memory Lane connects every part of dementia care. Here's how this topic threads into the rest.
Treatments
Hard Conversations
Keep reading
Paying for Care
Medicaid HCBS waivers
Medicaid HCBS waivers are how millions of dementia families afford in-home care, adult day, and respite. Eligibility is income + asset based — and the rules are state-specific.
Paying for Care
VA Aid and Attendance — the most-missed benefit for dementia families
Aid and Attendance is a tax-free monthly benefit on top of the VA pension. For a veteran with a spouse needing care, it can run over $2,800/month — and most families don't know it exists.
GUIDE
Am I eligible for Medicare GUIDE?
GUIDE (Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience) is a Medicare program launched in 2024 that gives families a care navigator, 24/7 helpline, caregiver training, and up to $2,500/year in respite — all at no copay.
Treatments
Lecanemab (Leqembi)
Lecanemab is one of the first FDA-approved infusions that clears amyloid plaques from the brain. It's not a cure — it slows decline modestly in early Alzheimer's.
Paying for Care
Medicare vs Medicaid
Medicare is age-based (65+) and covers acute care. Medicaid is income-based and covers long-term care. Most families need both before this is over.
Resources
Where to find respite care that families actually use
Respite isn't a luxury — it's how caregivers stay alive long enough to keep caregiving. Here's where the money is.
GUIDE
Skilled nursing vs memory care
Memory care is for cognitive needs. Skilled nursing is for medical needs. Many late-stage dementia patients eventually need both.
GUIDE
Home health vs hospice
Home health is short-term skilled care during recovery. Hospice is comfort care at end of life. Many families need both — at different times.