Health Conditions

Who has it?

About 4 million Americans have Alzheimer's disease. It is estimated that by the year 2050 this number will increase to almost 14 million because the baby boomers will by that year be over the age of 65. Alzheimer's disease is the leading cause of dementia (the loss of healthy mental function) and the eighth leading cause of death in the United States. Death related to Alzheimer's disease is most commonly associated with secondary complications resulting from immobilization, increased risk of infection, and inadequate nutrition.

There are two recognized types of Alzheimer's disease: early onset and late onset. In early onset, symptoms occur before the age of 60 years. This type of Alzheimer's disease runs in families but is only found in 5% to 10% of cases. In late onset, the disease occurs in persons older than 60 years of age. Late onset Alzheimer's disease is not believed to run in families, but these patients may have genetic factors that increase their risk of getting the disease.

The impact of Alzheimer's disease.

A recent study estimates that the cost of providing care for one patient with Alzheimer's disease with severe cognitive impairment is more than $47,000 per year, not including indirect losses in wages or productivity. In the United States alone, approximately $100 billion is spent each year on patients with AD. This includes the cost of medical care as well as lost productivity and personal caretaking. From the time of diagnosis until death, the average patient with Alzheimer's disease accounts for nearly $174,000 in total health care expenditures.

Alzheimer's disease is already a major public health problem. However, the implications for the future are even more serious as Americans are living longer. The major costs associated with AD are related to supportive care. Because of the expense of institutionalized care, more than half of the people who suffer from AD are cared for at home by relatives or friends. This number can be expected to grow significantly as the number of people with AD increases.

Caregivers, most of whom are women, often try to balance the responsibilities of work and family life with providing care for a relative with AD. This can prove to be extraordinarily burdensome in many ways. Caregivers are thought to spend an average of $12,500 of their own funds caring for a patient with AD. Some may even leave the workforce to provide full-time care for a loved one with the disease.