The number of people with Alzheimer’s disease is expected to triple by 2050. That would be a projected rise from about 5 million to 13.8 million.
Alzheimer’s disease is marked by a progressive, inexorable loss of intellect and social skills and, ultimately, death. Once symptoms begin, the future is known but not the time frame. President Ronald Reagan, American politician and activist Sargent Shriver, actress Rita Hayworth, singer Glen Campbell, University of Tennessee women’s basketball coach Pat Summitt, and many others have shared their stories in hopes of stimulating research to find a cure or treatment.
Alzheimer’s is among the top six killers in the United States and currently has much less funding for research than heart disease or cancer. We have changed the trajectory of life expectancy for cancer and heart disease, but not for Alzheimer’s. If we could simply delay the onset or progression of Alzheimer’s, much misery and cost could be avoided.
Two reasons for the greater evidence of Alzheimer’s: We are all living longer and those afflicted with Alzheimer’s are also surviving longer and thus need more resources from all of us. An estimated 15 million family members today provide care for someone with dementia. That equates to some $18 billion in value for unpaid care.
The overall cost is estimated
to grow from $324 billion in 2010 to $511 billion in 2040. Ron Brookmeyer, a professor at UCLA’s School of Public Health, observes,
“This is a long illness. Once you’re diagnosed, you might live with it for ten or more years, and the intensity of the care required will vary during that time. From a public point of view, it’s very important to look at where people will be in different stages of the disease and the needs we will be facing as a society.”
Considering what we can do as individuals to detect and avoid Alzheimer’s disease brings into focus “Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI),” which is an intermediate stage between the expected gradual cognitive decline of normal aging and the more serious deterioration of dementia.
Mayo Clinic researchers have developed a program to diagnose and recommend treatment for MCI. According to the Mayo website,
“People with MCI have a significantly increased risk—but not a certainty—of developing dementia. Overall, about 1 to 2 percent of older adults develop dementia every year. Among older adults with MCI, studies suggest that around 10 to 15 percent develop dementia every year.”
By staying physically and mentally active, using your brain, embracing healthy behavior, and avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol, you can make a difference for yourself and your family.
Let’s take care of ourselves and not let the dementia challenge rob us of the opportunity to live a longer, happier, and healthier life.