Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures 2017

Alzheimer’s disease is the most commonly known and diagnosed disease of approximately 50 different diseases comprising the condition category known as dementia.  The good news is that public awareness has increased quite significantly in recent years.  Perhaps due to celebrities like Seth Rogen rallying for the cause.  Mr. Rogen has, in fact, gone before Congress to lobby for increased funding, to drive awareness, research and treatment.  But the fact remains, and this is the bad news, there is no cure.  Let’s take a look at some recently published statistics (Alzheimer’s Association, 2017):

• In 2017, Alzheimer’s and other dementias will cost the nation $259 billion; by 2050, these costs could rise as high as $1.1 trillion, that’s a four-fold increase in just over 20 years
• Alzheimer’s Disease is the 6^th leading cause of death in the United States
• It kills more than breast cancer and prostate cancer COMBINED
• Since 2000, deaths from heart disease have decreased by 14%. During this same period of time, deaths from Alzheimer’s disease has increased by 89%
• 1 in 3 seniors dies with Alzheimer’s or another dementia
• Every 66 seconds someone in the United States is diagnosed with the disease
• More than 5 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s; by 2050, this number could rise as high as 16 million
• More than 15 million Americans provide unpaid care for people with Alzheimer’s or other dementias; these caregivers provided an estimated 18.2 billion hours of care value at over $230 billion
• 35% of caregivers for people with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia report that their health has declined considerably due to care responsibilities, whereas 19% of caregivers for older people without dementia reported similar decline.

Get help, give help — your actions, or lack thereof, will help comprise future statistics.

Authored by Clayton Birney

Clayton is the Walk Committee Chairman for the 2017 Walk to End Alzheimer’s in Monroe, MI.  The walk will take place on Saturday, September 23 in downtown Monroe.

Clayton and his wife Paula are owners of Arista Home Care Solutions, serving families throughout the greater Toledo area, including Lucas, Wood & Fulton counties in Ohio and Monroe and Lenawee counties in Michigan.  They are an active part of our community, having raised their six children locally, while regularly volunteering their time to help seniors and others in need.  Their goal, first and foremost, is to provide a personal level of professional care for every client they serve.