Every 65 Seconds
Every 65 seconds someone in the United States develops Alzheimer’s Disease, according to the Alzheimer’s Association’s 2018 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures.
The Alzheimer’s Association recently released its 2018 report about the prevalence and impact of the disease. The research continues to list Alzheimer’s disease as the sixth leading cause of death in the U.S. and noted that while deaths from heart disease decreased between 2000 and 2015, death from Alzheimer’s rose by 123 percent.
Amid the startling impact of Alzheimer’s is the financial burden both personally and to the country. In 2018, Alzheimer’s and other dementias will cost the nation $277 billion, with the impact potentially surpassing $1 trillion by 2050.
However, as we’ve shared before, early detection may be the best defense we have both for quality of life and financial expense. According to the newly published report, early and accurate diagnosis could save up to $7.9 trillion in medical care and expenses. Additionally, there are a host of physical, mental and emotional benefits to early detection.
“Diagnosing Alzheimer’s earlier has huge cost-savings implications,” said Keith Fargo, Ph.D., director of scientific programs and outreach for the Alzheimer’s Association. “Studies show the expenses associated with identification of people with mild cognitive impairment – the earliest stage at which clinical symptoms are present – are lower than those associated with people in the later stage of dementia. In addition, costs are lower once a person with Alzheimer’s gets on the right care path. The disease is better managed, there are fewer complications from other chronic conditions, and unnecessary hospitalizations are avoided. The sooner the diagnosis occurs, the sooner these costs can be managed and savings can begin.”
If you’re interested in learning more about the impact of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, you can watch this short video or download the entire report from the Alzheimer’s Association. We share these statistics with you as we work to better serve our families but also to help raise our voice in support of more research and greater funding.
“Discoveries in science mean fewer people are dying at an early age from heart disease, cancer and other diseases,” added Fargo. “Similar scientific breakthroughs are needed for Alzheimer’s disease, and will only be achieved by making it a national health care priority and increasing funding for research that can one day lead to early detection, better treatments and ultimately a cure.”
