Alzheimer’s disease is a rising epidemic. As the sixth-leading cause of death in the United States, Alzheimer’s takes a terrible toll on individuals living with it, as well as caregivers, families and friends.
These numbers are staggering but together, we can make an impact. We can put an end to Alzheimer’s and other dementias.
Today, you have the opportunity for your gift to go twice as far. The Pine Family Foundation of Austin, Texas, has generously agreed to give $300,000 to the Alzheimer’s Association if we can
raise that same amount by September 30.
Because you’re interested in research, I know you’ll appreciate the foundation’s strong commitment to fighting this disease – and to ultimately finding a cure. The foundation’s support has advanced our understanding of the molecular mechanism of Alzheimer’s pathology, and has driven the development of potential drug candidates for treatment or prevention of Alzheimer’s.
Ray Pine, Founder of The Pine Family Foundation
Help us seize this exceptional opportunity by making a gift during this special challenge match. Your tax-deductible donation of $50 can become $100, or a gift of $100 can become $200.
When you give by Sept. 30, your gift can have twice the impact and help us continue to advance vital research and enhance care and support for all affected by Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.
An estimated 5.2 million Americans of all ages have Alzheimer’s disease in 2013.This includes an estimated 5 million people age 65 and older and approximately 200,000 individuals younger than age 65 who have younger-onset Alzheimer’s.
Prevalence
The number of Americans with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias will grow as the U.S. population age 65 and older continues to increase. By 2025, the number of people age 65 and older with Alzheimer’s disease is estimated to reach 7.1 million—a 40 percent increase from the 5 million age 65 and older currently affected. By 2050, the number of people age 65 and older with Alzheimer’s disease may nearly triple, from 5 million to a projected 13.8 million, barring the development of medical breakthroughs to prevent, slow or stop the disease.
Alzheimer’s disease is the 6th leading cause of death in the United States overall and the 5th leading cause of death for those aged 65 and older. It is the only cause of death among the top 10 in America without a way to prevent it, cure it or even slow its progression. Deaths from Alzheimer’s increased 68 percent between 2000 and 2010, while deaths from other major diseases, including the number one cause of death (heart disease), decreased.
While ambiguity about the underlying cause of death can make it difficult to determine how many people die from Alzheimer’s, there are no survivors. If you do not die from Alzheimer’s disease, you die with it. One in every three seniors dies with Alzheimer’s or another dementia.
Impact on Caregivers
In 2012, 15.4 million family and friends provided 17.5 billion hours of unpaid care to those with Alzheimer’s and other dementias — care valued at $216.4 billion, which is more than eight times the total sales of McDonald’s in 2011. Eighty percent of care provided in the community is provided by unpaid caregivers.
Nearly 15 percent of caregivers are long-distance caregivers, living an hour or more away from their loved ones. Out-of-pocket expenses for long-distance caregivers are nearly twice as much as local caregivers.
More than 60 percent of Alzheimer’s and dementia caregivers rate the emotional stress of caregiving as high or very high; more than one-third report symptoms of depression. Due to the physical and emotional toll of caregiving, Alzheimer’s and dementia caregivers had $9.1 billion in additional health care costs of their own in 2012.
Cost to the nation
In 2013, the direct costs of caring for those with Alzheimer’s to American society will total an estimated $203 billion, including $142 billion in costs to Medicare and Medicaid. Total payments for health care, long-term care and hospice for people with Alzheimer’s and other dementias are projected to increase from $203 billion in 2013 to $1.2 trillion in 2050 (in current dollars). This dramatic rise includes a 500% increase in combined Medicare and Medicaid spending.
Nearly 30 percent of people with Alzheimer’s and other dementias are on both Medicare and Medicaid, compared to 11 percent of individuals without these conditions.
The average per-person Medicare costs for those with Alzheimer’s and other dementias are three times higher than for those without these conditions; the average per-person Medicaid spending for seniors with Alzheimer’s and other dementias is 19 times higher than average per-person Medicaid spending for all other seniors.
Alzheimer’s disease facts in each state
The 2013 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures report contains data on the impact of this disease in every state across the nation. Click below to see the effect that Alzheimer’s is having in your state.
http://www.optimumseniorcare.com/services/alzheimerscare.php