Report Estimates Five Million People in U.S. Living With Alzheimer's Disease
The Report "Alzheimer's Facts and Figures," released today (March 20, 2007) by the Alzheimer's Association (www.alz.org) estimates that the number of people in the United States living with the disease has topped five million for the first time ever. The highest estimate previously had been 4.5 million. The vast majority of reported cases (4.9 out of the 5 million total), involved people over the age of 65.
The report also stated that by mid-century, the total of reported Alzheimer's and Dementia cases is expected to top 16 million.
“Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures clearly shows the tremendous impact this disease is having on the nation; and with the projected growth of the disease, the collective impact on individuals, families, Medicare, Medicaid, and businesses will be even greater,” says Harry Johns, President and CEO of the Alzheimer’s Association. “However there is hope. There are currently nine drugs in Phase III clinical trials for Alzheimer’s several of which show great promise to slow or stop the progression of the disease. This, combined with advancements in diagnostic tools, has the potential to change the landscape of Alzheimer’s.”
More highlights from the report:
• One out of eight people age 65 and older has Alzheimer’s and nearly one out of two over age 85 has it.
• Age is the greatest risk factor for Alzheimer’s. A small percentage of Alzheimer cases is caused by rare, genetic variations found in a few hundred families worldwide.
• Only 19 percent of people with Alzheimer’s and other dementias actually have the diagnosis recorded in their medical records.
• Seventy (70) percent of people with Alzheimer’s and other dementias live at home, cared for by family and friends.
• Seventy (70) percent of nursing home residents have some degree of cognitive impairment; 47 percent of all nursing home residents have a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia in their medical records.
Mortality
• Alzheimer’s disease is the seventh leading cause of death for people in the United States; and the fifth leading cause of death for those over the age of 65.
• From 2000 to 2004, deaths from Alzheimer’s disease increased by 32.8 percent. Deaths from heart disease decreased by 8 percent, breast cancer deaths decreased by 2.6 percent, prostate cancer deaths decreased by 6.3 percent, and stroke deaths decreased by 10.4 percent. In fact, the number of deaths caused by Alzheimer’s may be under-reported because persons with the disease usually have one or more serious co-existing conditions, such as heart disease or stroke, which end up being cited on death certificates.
• People with Alzheimer’s in general have decreased survival in the general population. One study noted that people with Alzheimer’s survive about half as long as those of similar age who didn’t have Alzheimer’s. Survival time was four to six years after diagnosis, but survival time can be as long as 20 years from the detection of the first symptoms.
Cost of Alzheimer’s Disease
• Direct and indirect costs of Alzheimer’s and other dementia’s amount to more than $148 billion annually.
• In 2005, Medicare spent $91 billion on beneficiaries with Alzheimer’s and other dementias and that number is projected to more than double to $189 billion by 2015.
• The medical costs of those with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias are more than double the amount of those without when one or more other chronic conditions, such as coronary heart disease and diabetes, is present.
• Almost 10 million Americans are caring for a person with Alzheimer’s or another dementia; approximately one out of three of these caregivers is 60 years or older.
• In 2005, it is estimated that unpaid caregivers of people with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias provided 8.5 billion hours of care valued at almost $83 billion dollars.
• More than half of the states in America provide more than a billion dollars in unpaid care each year. The leading states are: California ($8.5 billion), Texas ($5.8 billion), New York ($5.2 billion), Florida ($4.6 billion), Pennsylvania ($3.6 billion).
The online magazine SeniorJournal.com has more on the 2007 Alzheimer's Disease Facts and Figures, plus links to more current news and research about Alzheimer's Disease.
To download a copy of the full report in Adobe PDF format, click on the icon at the left.