CHICAGO, Sept. 19, 2013 -- According to the Alzheimer's Disease International 2013 World Alzheimer's Report, "Journey of Caring," care associated with Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia is a global issue that must be addressed as prevalence and costs continue to soar, placing enormous stress on families and nations alike. While there is currently no way to stop or even delay the progression of Alzheimer's, the Alzheimer's Association offers programs and services to help families currently impacted throughout the disease.
Unlike most other chronic diseases, people with dementia can develop needs for care in the early-stage of the disease and become increasingly reliant on caregivers. In a study of older people needing help with activities of daily living, those with cognitive impairment were more than twice as likely than others to receive paid home care, according to the World Alzheimer's Report. Additionally, those in-home services were used twice as intensively by people with cognitive impairment than by those without. Cognitive impairment has also proven to be the strongest predictor – over cancer, diabetes and cardiovascular disease – of transition into a care facility. As previously reported by the Alzheimer's Association 2013 Alzheimer's Disease Facts & Figures, while as many as seventy percent of people with Alzheimer's in the United States live at home in the community, more than sixty-eight percent of nursing home residents have some degree of cognitive impairment.
"Because of the progressive nature of the disease and the length of its duration, Alzheimer's care needs only escalate, often to the point of impacting the caregiver's own health," said Angela Geiger, chief strategy officer of the Alzheimer's Association. "The Alzheimer's Association urges families to pursue early diagnosis and create a care management plan, ideally when the person diagnosed can still participate, so that everyone can plan for the future and take advantage of available resources."
Not only is the need for dementia care growing at a pace potentially exceeding available resources, the cost of dementia care is taking a significant toll on the world economy. Total payments for caring for people with Alzheimer's and other dementias in the U.S. in 2013 are estimated at $203 billion, including $142 billion for Medicare and Medicaid combined, according to Alzheimer's Association 2013 Facts & Figures. That number is projected to be $1.2 trillion by 2050 (in current dollars). The World Alzheimer's Report states the global annual societal costs of dementia were $604 billion in 2010. If dementia care were a country, it would be the world's 21st largest economy, ranking between Poland and Saudi Arabia.
According to the World Alzheimer's Report, all governments should make dementia a priority. In the U.S., the first-ever National Plan to Address Alzheimer's Disease was released in May 2012 with a goal of preventing and effectively treating Alzheimer's disease by 2025. Recently updated, the National Alzheimer's Plan now includes important milestones and a timeline to facilitate achieving that goal.
"Realizing the National Alzheimer's Plan's goal would greatly reduce the need for more intensive and costly late-stage care," said Robert Egge, vice president of Public Policy at the Alzheimer's Association. "To achieve this goal and ease the burden on our families and health care systems, we must make a significant investment in Alzheimer's research, including an additional $100 million in fiscal year 2014."
The Alzheimer's Association offers a variety of educational and support resources for both family and professionals, including its 24/7, toll-free Helpline available in 170 languages and online resources to assist families with the care management of someone living with Alzheimer's regardless of geography. Alzheimer's Navigator™ (www.alzheimersnavigator.org) is a tool designed to help individuals with the disease, caregivers and family members evaluate their needs and develop a customized action plan that provides information, support and resources. ALZConnected® (www.alzconnected.org) is the first dedicated social networking community for anyone impacted by Alzheimer's disease. It provides a safe place for people around the world to connect with others in similar situations 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
For more information on Alzheimer's disease or available resources, visit the Alzheimer's Association at alz.org or call 800-272-3900.
About the Alzheimer's Association
The Alzheimer's Association is the world's leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer care, support and research. Our mission is to eliminate Alzheimer's disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer's. For more information, visit www.alz.org or call 800.272.3900.