Alzheimer’s Info
Alzheimer's - Understanding Alzheimer's Disease
Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive, neurodegenerative disease characterized by memory loss and impaired cognition, a decline in the ability to perform activities of daily living, and changes in personality and behavior. The increasing severity of symptoms over time ultimately leaves the patient completely dependent on others for care.
- As many as 7.2 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease.
- A person with Alzheimer’s disease will live an average of 8-10 years and as many as 20 years or more from the onset of symptoms.
- Today it is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States and the 5th leading cause for those 65 and older.
- 19 million Americans said they had a family member with Alzheimer's, and 37 million said they knew someone with Alzheimer’s.
- It is projected that the number of Americans with Alzheimer’s disease could more than triple to 25 million by mid-century.
- Women are more likely than men to develop the disease. There is a great need for more research to discover why.
- Two-thirds of Americans with Alzheimer’s disease are women.
- Women in their 60s are two times more likely to develop Alzheimer’s than breast cancer.
- Of Americans age 65 and over, 1 in 9 has Alzheimer’s disease, and about one-third of people age 85 and older (32%) have the disease.
- One in three seniors dies with Alzheimer’s or another dementia.
- Another American develops Alzheimer’s disease every 67 seconds. In 2050, an American will develop the disease every 33 seconds.
- Those with Alzheimer’s are three times more likely to face hospitalization and eight times more likely to need skilled nursing care.
- One fourth of all home care involves care for an Alzheimer’s patient.
- Although Alzheimer’s disease is not a normal part of aging, the risk of developing the illness rises with age. Current research from the National Institute on Aging indicates that the prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease doubles every five years beyond age 65.
- Alzheimer’s disease accounts for 50% to 80% of dementia cases.
- It is estimated that one to four family members act as caregivers for each individual with Alzheimer’s disease.
- More than 7 of 10 people with Alzheimer’s disease live at home. Almost 75% of home care is provided by family and friends.
- More than 60% of Alzheimer’s and dementia caregivers are women.
- Three out of five people needing care are cared for at home.
A Public Health Issue
In 2024, family members and friends provided 19.2 billion hours of unpaid care to those with Alzheimer’s and other dementias—care valued at $450 billion. In 2014, Medicare and Medicaid are expected to pay $150 billion for health care, long-term care, and hospice for people with Alzheimer’s and other dementias. Alzheimer’s disease is already one of the most costly diseases in the world. With increasing life expectancies and the aging baby-boom generation, Alzheimer’s will be a major public health issue for decades to come.
In spite of the concerning statistics, we at the Alzheimer’s Research & Prevention Foundation continue our energetic dedication to our mission of eradicating Alzheimer’s disease and empowering individuals to improve and maintain the health of their brains for as long as possible.
