2016 Alzheimer’s Statistics

Alzheimer’s Worldwide

• Worldwide, nearly 44 million people have Alzheimer’s or a related dementia. (Alzheimer’s Disease International)
• Only 1-in-4 people with Alzheimer’s disease have been diagnosed. (Alzheimer’s Disease International)
• Alzheimer’s and dementia is most common in Western Europe (North America is close behind).
• Alzheimer’s is least prevalent in Sub-Saharan Africa. (Alzheimer’s Disease International)
• Alzheimer’s and other dementias are the top cause for disabilities in later life. (Alzheimer’s Disease International)

The Cost of Alzheimer’s Care

• The cost of caring for Alzheimer’s patients in the U.S. is estimated to be $236 billion in 2016. (Alzheimer’s Association)
• The global cost of Alzheimer’s and dementia is estimated to be $605 billion, which is equivalent to 1% of the entire world’s gross domestic product.
• Medicare and Medicaid are expected to pay $154 billion in 2015 for health care, long-term care and hospice for people with Alzheimer’s and other dementias.
• Aggregate Cost of Care by Payer for Americans Age 65 and Older with Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Dementias: Medicare $113 Billion, Medicaid $41 Billion,  Out of pocket $44 Billion, Other $29 Billion.

Alzheimer’s in the United States

• 1-in-9 Americans over 65 has Alzheimer’s disease. (Alzheimer’s Association)
• When the first wave of baby boomers reaches age 85 (in 2031), it is projected that more than 3 million people age 85 and older will have Alzheimer’s. (Alzheimer’s Association)
• One-third of Americans over age 85 are afflicted with the illness. (Alzheimer’s Association)
• 5.3 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease. (Alzheimer’s Association)
• Unless a cure is found, more than 16 million Americans will have the disease by 2050. (Alzheimer’s Association)
• Alzheimer’s disease is the 6th leading cause of death in America. (Centers for Disease Control)
• 1-in-3 seniors die with Alzheimer’s or another kind of dementia. (Centers for Disease Control)
• Typical life expectancy after an Alzheimer’s diagnosis is 4-to-8 years. (Alzheimer’s Association)
• In 2016, the 85-years-and-older population includes about 2 million people with Alzheimer’s disease, or 40% of all people with Alzheimer’s age 65 and older. (Alzheimer’s Association)
• By 2050, there could be as many as 7 million people age 85 and older with Alzheimer’s disease, accounting for half (51%) of all people 65 and older with Alzheimer’s. (Alzheimer’s Association)
• Proportion of People With Alzheimer’s Disease in the United States by Age: (Alzheimer’s Association) 85+ years – 38%,  75-84 years, 44%, 65-74 years, 15%, <65 years, 4%

Racial Makeup of Alzheimer’s

65-74 Years of Age

• 2.9% Caucasian
• 9.1% African American
• 7.5% Hispanic

75-84 Years of Age

• 10.9% Caucasian
• 19.9% African American
• 27.9% Hispanic

85 Years of Age and above

• 30.2% Caucasian
• 58.6% African American
• 62.9% Hispanic

Projected Number of People Age 65 and Older (Total and by Age Group) in the U.S. Population With Alzheimer’s Disease, 2010 to 2050:
2010

Ages 65+: 4.7 Million

2020

Ages 65+: 5.8 Million

2030

Ages 65+: 8.4 Million

2040

Ages 65+: 11.6 Million

2050

Ages 65+: 13.8 Million

Who Gets Alzheimer’s Disease?

• 2-in-3  people with Alzheimer’s are women. (Alzheimer’s Association)
• African Americans and Hispanic Americans are more likely to develop Alzheimer’s than Caucasian Americans. (Alzheimer’s Association)
• North Dakota has a higher rate of Alzheimer’s mortality than any other state. (54 Alzheimer’s deaths a year per 100,000 residents)
• Alzheimer’s mortality is lowest in Nevada. (11 Alzheimer’s deaths a year per each 100,000 residents) (Alzheimer’s Association)
• 30% of people with Alzheimer’s also have heart disease, and 29% also have diabetes. (Alzheimer’s Association)

Caregiving

• More than 40% of family caregivers report that the emotional stress of their role is high or very high. (Alzheimer’s Disease International)
• In 2014, Alzheimer’s and dementia caregivers had $9.7 billion in additional health care costs of their own. (Alzheimer’s Association)
• In the 2009 NAC/AARP survey, caregivers most likely to indicate stress were women, older, residing with the care recipient, and Caucasian or Hispanic. In addition, these caregivers often believed there was no choice in taking on the role of caregiver. (Alzheimer’s Association)
• People with Alzheimer’s disease are hospitalized three times more often than seniors without Alzheimer’s. (Alzheimer’s Association)
• 74% of caregivers of people with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias reported that they were “somewhat concerned” to “very concerned” about maintaining their own health since becoming a caregiver. (Alzheimer’s Association)
• 68% of nursing home residents have cognitive impairment from Alzheimer’s disease or a related disorder. (Alzheimer’s Association)
• 52% of assisted living facilities provide dedicated memory care for residents with Alzheimer’s disease. (Alzheimer’s Association)
• In 2014, more than 15 million Americans provided more than 17.9 billion hours of unpaid care for people with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia’s. (Alzheimer’s Association)
• More than 15 million Americans provide unpaid care for people with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia’s. (Alzheimer’s Association)

Sources:

• Alzheimer’s Association Facts and Figures 2014
• Center for Disease Control
• Alzheimer’s Disease International’s World Report
• http://www.alzheimers.net