Alzheimer’s Facts And Figures

Alzheimers Disease Is Costly

With more than 6.5 million people in the United States living with Alzheimers disease, the cost of treating the condition continues to rise. In 2016 the annual cost was about $236 billion. In 2022, this number was projected to rise to $321 billion.

The number of people with the disease is expected to increase in the years ahead. Its estimated that Alzheimers disease may cost the United States just under $1 trillion by 2050.

Featured Alzheimers And Dementia Resources

A Place for Mom has compiled these Alzheimers and dementia resources to help you and your family find more information about the disease and long-term memory care:

• Alzheimers Disease Symptoms: Learn more about how Alzheimers is diagnosed and about top symptoms and treatments.
• Alzheimers Warning Signs: Read 10 warning signs of Alzheimers to help you differentiate between normal aging and disease symptoms.
• What Does Dementia Mean?: See these practical tips for caregivers of Alzheimers and dementia. Read the best ways to communicate as well as suggestions for activities, bathing and eating, etc.

Were you surprised by our list of facts about Alzheimers? What was the most shocking statistic? Wed like to hear your thoughts in the comments below.

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More Than Half Of The 54 Million Americans With The Disease May Not Know They Have It

In part because of the difficulty with detecting early-stage Alzheimers or mild cognitive impairment , many of those with the disease remain undiagnosed. With research and time, our ability to detect early-stage Alzheimers continues to improve, though it will increase the overall number of people known to have the disease.

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Is There A Cure For Dementia

There is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease or any other type of dementia. Dementia research is desperately underfunded. There are not enough dementia researchers or clinicians.

While new treatments are being developed with increasing speed, they are not coming quickly enough for people affected by dementia now. We are at a tipping point in dementia research we have made huge progress in recent years, but this could grind to a halt without investment.

Alzheimers Disease Is A Leading Cause Of Death

The Alzheimers Association states that Alzheimers disease is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States. About 1 in 3 people over 65 years die with Alzheimers disease or another form of dementia.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that 121,499 people died from Alzheimers disease in the United States in 2019. This number may not be very accurate, as its based on the official cause of reported death. Other health conditions are often made worse in a person with Alzheimers disease. This can reduce life expectancy.

Only heart disease, cancer, some respiratory diseases, stroke, and accidents caused more deaths than Alzheimers disease.

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Facts About Alzheimers Disease

Researchers learn more about Alzheimers every year and some of the statistics are staggering indeed.

The Alzheimers Association publishes an annual report detailing the complications and costs of the disease to caregivers and the health care system, and weve pulled out 10 of the latest facts about Alzheimers that A Place for Mom readers will want to know.

Your Heart And Your Head Are Closely Related

Theres interesting research on how inflammation in one part of the body can lead to inflammation in other parts. In Alzheimers disease, theres a buildup of inflammatory proteins in the brain. Many chronic conditions including diabetes and heart disease are also shown to involve inflammation.

There are links between heart disease, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, and the development of Alzheimers disease. All of these are recognized to involve inflammation in different parts of the body.

According to a 2019 report in Circulation Research, a failing heart might activate or aggravate a disease in the brain like Alzheimers disease.

There are things you can do to help prevent or manage heart disease, metabolic syndrome, and diabetes. These things may play a role in preventing or managing Alzheimers disease.

Recommendations include:

• eating an anti-inflammatory diet, such as the Mediterranean way of eating
• regular monitoring of blood pressure and treatment with dietary changes, activity, and medications, as needed
• quitting or cutting down on smoking if you smoke
• practicing physical activity
• managing cholesterol levels with dietary changes and medications, as needed
• monitoring blood sugar levels and managing prediabetes or diabetes with dietary changes, physical activity, and medications, as needed

Heart disease may also be a cause of vascular dementia, which results from narrowed blood vessels in the brain. This leads to a decrease in oxygen to brain tissues.

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Alzheimer’s Facts And Figures

• In 2020, among adults aged 45 years and older with one or more chronic diseases, 20.4% reported worsening confusion or memory loss in the past 12 months.
• Of the adults who reported symptoms of cognitive decline, just half discussed their confusion or memory loss with a healthcare professional

• 2x greater number of hospitalizations of patients with Alzheimers than older adults without the disease
• About 80% of persons diagnosed with Alzheimers have at least one other chronic condition
• Dangerously and chronically under-diagnosed: > than 60% of Alzheimers cases in patients over 65 are not diagnosed*
• Alzheimers represent 60% to 80% of all dementia diagnosed
• Today – one new case every 65 seconds. By 2050, one every 33 seconds
• Documented Impact on Caregivers mental or physical health. 83% of care is unpaid

• 6th leading cause of death in the US.

• 5th leading cause among adults age 65

• face greater prevalence of behaviors and state of health which are risk factors for dementia, including: Depression, Obesity, Alcohol, and tobacco use Lower rates of preventive screenings, Cardiovascular disease, HIV/AIDS. The LGBTQ community may face other particular challenges related to Alzheimer’s and dementia. These include finding inclusive and welcoming health care providers, less ability to call upon adult children for assistance, concerns about stigma and higher rates of poverty and social isolation.

What Is Known About Reducing Your Risk Of Alzheimers Disease

The science on risk reduction is quickly evolving, and major breakthroughs are within reach. For example, there is growing evidence that people who adopt healthy lifestyle habits like regular exercise and blood pressure management can lower their risk of dementia. There is growing scientific evidence that healthy behaviors, which have been shown to prevent cancer, diabetes, and heart disease, may also reduce risk for subjective cognitive decline. To learn more about the current state of evidence on dementia risk factors and the implications for public health, please read the following summaries on Cardiovascular Health, Exercise, Diabetes and Obesity, Traumatic Brain Injury , Tobacco and Alcohol, Diet and Nutrition, Sleep, Sensory Impairment, and Social Engagement or the Compiled Report .

Aging

Also Check: How Young Can Someone Get Alzheimer’s

Who Has Alzheimers Disease

• In 2020, as many as 5.8 million Americans were living with Alzheimers disease.1
• Younger people may get Alzheimers disease, but it is less common.
• The number of people living with the disease doubles every 5 years beyond age 65.
• This number is projected to nearly triple to 14 million people by 2060.1
• Symptoms of the disease can first appear after age 60, and the risk increases with age.

The Basics Of Alzheimers Disease

Scientists are conducting studies to learn more about plaques, tangles, and other biological features of Alzheimers disease. Advances in brain imaging techniques allow researchers to see the development and spread of abnormal amyloid and tau proteins in the living brain, as well as changes in brain structure and function. Scientists are also exploring the very earliest steps in the disease process by studying changes in the brain and body fluids that can be detected years before Alzheimers symptoms appear. Findings from these studies will help in understanding the causes of Alzheimers and make diagnosis easier.

One of the great mysteries of Alzheimers disease is why it largely affects older adults. Research on normal brain aging is exploring this question. For example, scientists are learning how age-related changes in the brain may harm neurons and affect other types of brain cells to contribute to Alzheimers damage. These age-related changes include atrophy of certain parts of the brain, inflammation, blood vessel damage, production of unstable molecules called free radicals, and mitochondrial dysfunction .

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Alzhelmers Facts And Figures

According to the statistics, family members, friends, or unpaid caregivers provide nearly 83% of the help to older people in the US. Around half of these caregivers assist people living with Alzheimers disease or other forms of dementia.

Who are the caregivers?

• Nearly one in three caregivers is age 65 or above.
• Women account for two-thirds of caregivers. More specifically, over one-third are daughters who provide care to their parents with dementia.
• The majority of caregivers live with dementia patients in the community.
• About one-quarter of dementia caregivers are sandwich generation caregivers, meaning they care for an aging parent and children under age 18 at the same time.

Alzheimers has a ravaging effect on caregivers, taking its toll on their physical and emotional health. According to an estimate, about twice as many caregivers of dementia patients than the caregivers of people without dementia exhibit significant physical, emotional, and financial hardships.

The families bear 70% of the total lifetime cost of caring for a loved one with dementia either by out-of-pocket health expenses or from the value of unpaid care.

Alzheimers disease mortality is on the rise.

African Americans and Hispanics are at greater risk of developing Alzheimers disease.

Another interesting Alzheimers fact is that although African-Americans and Hispanics have a higher rate of developing the disease than Caucasians, they are less likely than whtes to have been diagnosed.

Alzheimers Disease Facts And Figures

Date:

Alzheimers Disease Facts and Figures, an annual report released by the Alzheimers Association, reveals the burden of Alzheimers and dementia on individuals, caregivers, government and the nations health care system.

The accompanying special report, More Than Normal Aging: Understanding Mild Cognitive Impairment , examines the challenges that physicians and the American public face in understanding and diagnosing mild cognitive impairment , which is characterized by subtle changes in memory and thinking. It is estimated 10% to 15% of individuals with MCI go on to develop dementia each year.

Impact on Caregivers

Eighty-three percent of the help provided to older adults in the United States comes from family members, friends or other unpaid caregivers. Nearly half of all caregivers who provide help to older adults do so for someone living with Alzheimers or another dementia.

Who are the caregivers?

• About 30% of caregivers are age 65 or older.
• Approximately two-thirds of caregivers are women more specifically, over one-third of dementia caregivers are daughters.
• Most caregivers live with the person with dementia in the community.
• Approximately one-quarter of dementia caregivers are sandwich generation caregivers meaning that they care not only for an aging parent but also for at least one child.

Read Also: How To Prevent Alzheimer’s Disease

Its The Most Common Form Of Dementia

Alzheimers disease is the most common form of dementia. The term dementia is used to define brain diseases related to memory loss and diminished cognitive skills. Alzheimers disease is probably the most recognized type, but there are other types of dementia.

They include:

• dementia caused by Parkinsons disease
• dementia caused by Huntingtons disease

Stats from 2022 estimate that there are more than 6.5 million people with Alzheimers disease in the United States.

Signs And Symptoms Of Alzheimer’s Disease

Memory problems are typically one of the first signs of cognitive impairment related to Alzheimers. Some people with memory problems have a condition called mild cognitive impairment . With MCI, people have more memory problems than normal for their age, but their symptoms do not interfere with their everyday lives. Movement difficulties and problems with the sense of smell have also been linked to MCI. Older people with MCI are at greater risk for developing Alzheimers, but not all of them do so. Some may even revert to normal cognition.

The first symptoms of Alzheimers vary from person to person. For many, decline in nonmemory aspects of cognition, such as word-finding, vision/spatial issues, and impaired reasoning or judgment may signal the very early stages of the disease. Researchers are studying biomarkers to detect early changes in the brains of people with MCI and in cognitively normal people who may be at greater risk for Alzheimers. More research is needed before these techniques can be used broadly and routinely to diagnose Alzheimers in a health care providers office.

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Support For Family And Friends

Currently, many people living with Alzheimers disease are cared for at home by family members. Caregiving can have positive aspects for the caregiver as well as the person being cared for. It may bring personal fulfillment to the caregiver, such as satisfaction from helping a family member or friend, and lead to the development of new skills and improved family relationships.

Although most people willingly provide care to their loved ones and friends, caring for a person with Alzheimers disease at home can be a difficult task and may become overwhelming at times. Each day brings new challenges as the caregiver copes with changing levels of ability and new patterns of behavior. As the disease gets worse, people living with Alzheimers disease often need more intensive care.

You can find more information about caring for yourself and access a helpful care planning form.

Alzheimers Disease Ranked As The 6th Leading Cause Of Death In The United States

Wellness efforts have helped decrease preventable diseases and conditions that stem from high blood pressure, obesity, exercise deficiency and poor nutrition.

However, systemic and genetically derived blood and health conditions rank high among those contributing to early morbidity.

Diseases and conditions that are associated with the brain are some of the most difficult to prevent and have zero cure.

Therefore, Alzheimers disease is among those that affect dont have much of a preventable precursor aside from aging.

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Quick Facts About Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s is not a normal part of aging.

• Alzheimer’s disease is an irreversible degeneration of the brain that causes disruptions in memory, cognition, personality, and other functions that eventually lead to death from complete brain failure.

Alzheimer’s is a growing epidemic.

• More than 6.5 million Americans now have Alzheimer’s disease. By 2050, the number of people aged 65 and older with Alzheimer’s and dementia is projected to reach 12.7 million, unless scientists develop new approaches to prevent or cure it.1,2 However, estimates based on high-range projections of population growth provided by the U.S. Census suggest that this number may be as high as 16 million.1

Each day, thousands of American families are forever changed by this disease.

• Every 65 seconds, someone in America develops Alzheimer’s. By mid-century, someone in America will develop the disease every 33 seconds.2 It is estimated that nearly 500,000 new cases of Alzheimer’s disease will be diagnosed this year.3

Alzheimer’s is on the rise throughout the world.

• Worldwide, at least 50 million people are believed to be living with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias.4 According to the United Nations, that is more than the population of Columbia.5 If breakthroughs are not discovered, rates could exceed 152 million by 2050.4

• In the time it takes to read this sentence out loud, another person somewhere in the world has been diagnosed with dementia.6 Every 3 seconds, someone in the world develops dementia.4

Dementia & Alzheimer’s Disease

We want to share with you some of Alzheimers disease facts and figures to truly understand how much impact this disease has.

There are only a few more diseases that cause more deaths than Alzheimers disease.

Thus its important to be familiar with its global effect, so you act AS SOON AS POSSIBLE and get appropriate treatment.

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Dementia And Alzheimer Are Not The Same

Many times, we hear these two terms interchanged as a synonymous disease. They are not the same, but rather dementia is a subset of Alzheimers disease.

Dementia is defined as a in mental cognition and ability. It is a blanket term for a set of symptoms associated with compromised brain function.

Whereas, Alzheimers disease is classically defined as when brain cells progressively die over time that results in memory loss, brain function, cognitive function, and behavior.

Alzheimers disease is almost always confirmed at the time of death after analyzing brain tissue.

The clinical findings that assist to diagnose Alzheimers disease are tangles or plaques, which act as evidence of damaged brain cells.

Additionally, the causes vary for patients suffering from forms of dementia.

4. There are Six Main Types of Dementia

How Does Alzheimer’s Disease Affect The Brain

Scientists continue to unravel the complex brain changes involved in Alzheimers disease. Changes in the brain may begin a decade or more before symptoms appear. During this very early stage of Alzheimers, toxic changes are taking place in the brain, including abnormal buildups of proteins that form amyloid plaques and tau tangles. Previously healthy neurons stop functioning, lose connections with other neurons, and die. Many other complex brain changes are thought to play a role in Alzheimers as well.

The damage initially appears to take place in the hippocampus and the entorhinal cortex, which are parts of the brain that are essential in forming memories. As more neurons die, additional parts of the brain are affected and begin to shrink. By the final stage of Alzheimers, damage is widespread and brain tissue has shrunk significantly.

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