Is dementia/Alzheimer's considered a (permanent) disability?

The federal government (SSA) sometimes recognizes certain forms of dementia as a disability. I do not believe just needing assistance with some daily activities would qualify as "disabled". Since he has been showing improvement they would not designate it as a permanent disability. But the medical field has upgraded it from a condition to a desease, and Alzheimers is only one form of dementia. So things are changing on how the medical field and Social Security are looking at dementia. Medicare or an advantage plan may be able to help with the cost of in home care assistance if he qualifies for Medicare.

AD is considered a LT disability from the perspective of Social Security when it comes to disability benefits. In fact, it is classified in the group of "escalated" diagnoses that cuts through much of the red tape (and time to approval) when it comes to being approved for SSDI benefits. Eighteen months later, the person becomes eligible for Medicare, irrespective of age. All it took was a letter from our neurologist with the AD diagnosis and filling out some Social Security forms, including an ADL form.

LindaSB: Per Alzheimer's Association - "How the ADA Works
Some people wrongly believe that the ADA is like a list of conditions that are considered disabilities, with everything that doesn’t fall under the list not being considered at all. The reality is quite far from that. The ADA is more of a framework for determining a person’s ability to work, and their current capabilities with regards to anything that might impact them – like a disability condition. However, because of this, Alzheimer’s isn’t directly covered by the ADA. Rather, it has to develop in a specific way in order for things to go in that direction.
Alzheimer’s Affects Everyone Differently
As we mentioned above, Alzheimer’s tends to work very differently in the people it affects. For some, managing to live with the condition is possible while also paying attention to the important parts of their lives, such as their work and family. But for some people, Alzheimer’s hits much harder, and can make it practically impossible to work. Because of this, the ADA classifies Alzheimer’s according to the actual impact it has on a person’s life, and the extent to which it prevents them from doing their work. That’s why someone needs to get evaluated thoroughly in a case like this."

Disclaimer: Not my authoring, but from Alzheimer's Association.

Sounds like he needs assistance with personal care and personal hygiene but I don't think this qualifies as a disability. I got this statement from Google, The Social Security Administration has added younger/early onset Alzheimer's to the list of conditions under its Compassionate Allowances Initiative, giving those with the disease expedited access to Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income. I suggest you contact the social security office in your area for more information.

Yes it does.
(and by the way if your husband is a Veteran the diagnosis of diabetes may be related to exposure to chemical agents. (aka Agent Orange or Agent Rainbow))

Don’t we all wish that there was a cure for dementia?

Wishing you peace as you continue on with your caregiving journey.

Yes, dementia does qualify as a disability. However, If someone is employed and not receiving social security benefits, they can apply for disability. If a person is receiving social security benefits, they do not qualify for disability benefits. If you are receiving SSDI benefits when you reach full retirement age, your disability benefits automatically convert to retirement benefits, but the amount remains the same. You can follow the link below for additional information.

https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/disability/qualify.html

If your assets and income are low enough, Medicaid is available for disabled people. Medicaid is a whole other entity separate from Social Security.

Yes

You need to ask your doctor as none of us are doctors.

Do you think his situation is temporary or permanent? Have you had his primary care physician refer you to a specialist for an evaluation? He may be just having trouble or maybe more. You should get a professional opinion to go along with your gut.

Check with your local Office on aging or your state office on aging, it may be called something different, to see if you’re eligible to receive funding for caring for a relative with a disability. The state of California has such a program.

I found this article on this site which gives a very thorough overview of a variety of conditions which might cause dementia-like symptoms, many of which are situations which can be alleviated and/or cured. If you read through to the end, you will see a section on the steps to take to get a clear assessment of your husband’s situation. Best of luck to you.
https://www.agingcare.com/articles/reversible-conditions-that-can-be-mistaken-for-dementia-476370.htm

Yes, it’s a permanent, progressive, incurable disease.

My 59-year old brother was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's disease earlier this year. Fortunately, he had been paying premiums for a long-term disability policy through work. He has never been married and lives alone, so I completed applications for those benefits as well as SSDI, and he will start receiving the benefits next month based on the date when he was not able to continue working. That date was officially set during last October, when coworkers and his boss told him he needed to take sick leave to determine what was going on. Essentially, he could not complete the tasks necessary to do the job he has been doing for the past 25+ years. Bottom line: yes, a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease qualifies a person for SSDI and other disability benefits.

My sister worked for the Federal government and was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia in her late 40’s. She had 28 years federal service and could have retired at 55 (at that time) with 30 years service. She was able to retire from her job on disability, but that was civil service disability retirement; not Social Security. I would think that Social Security would work the same, since you do not recover from any type of dementia.

With your husband being 78 is he getting social security? If he is then what you have asked isn't a disability you can't get more money for it. But you can get help if you need it for his disability of dementia/alzheimers. And yes its permanent because it doesn't go away they just keep getting worse.

You can get help for the bathing, dressing and toileting with this disease because it will get worse.

Prayers.

78

If your husband is under retirement age, you could certainly try to get him approved for SSD, but if he is already on SS then he can only get his Social Security and not disability also.
My late husband after having a massive stroke at the age of 48 was on Social Security disability, but when he turned 65 it automatically switched over to just Social Security.
But I guess to answer your question, I would imagine that dementia would definitely be a permanent disability(as there is no cure and the person will only continue to get worse), however because most folks who develop it are usually already on Social Security thus why it wouldn't apply. The exception of course would be if someone has developed early onset Alzheimer's which usually starts in their 50's.

How old is your husband?

I don't think after you start collecting Social Security you can claim a disability. If this is early onset ALZ and not already collecting SS he may be able to get SS Disability.

Clearly your hubby is disabled compared to what how he would have functioned in his normal everyday life heretofore.

What isn't clear to me is this: Has your husband actually had a diagnosis.
For instance, does he have a diagnosis of dementia? Was this diagnosis made prior to his having covid.
OR
Does he have a diagnosis of long covid? From which he is apparently improving?

I think that you should discuss with his MD what EXACTLY his current diagnosis/diagnoses and prognosis are. Does he currently have one condition or the other, or BOTH.

What is your husbands age? Is he retired? Is he still working and now unable to work and in need of disability payment?
I cannot tell if you are asking us as a married partner of a man diagnosed with either dementia or long covid (or both) who is nowhere near retirement age and in need of disability funds, or if you are simply asking if your husband can be considered disabled by his current status (answer yes).

Do discuss this question with your husband's doctor who knows his case, and will know the answer quickly, while we-given the information you have given us--might only be guessing.

I certainly wish you the very best.
I am glad your husband is improving, and were dementia his only diagnosis I doubt this would be the case.