Ten Million U.S. Baby Boomers Will Develop Alzheimer's Disease
Michigan Must Prepare for Emerging Epidemic
ANN ARBOR, MI – The Alzheimer’s Association® estimates that 10 million baby boomers will develop Alzheimer’s disease in the United States, according to their new report released today, the 2008 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures.
The new report says the disease is poised to strike one out of eight baby boomers. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, now is the time to address this looming epidemic that currently has no effective disease-modifying treatments that halt or delay the progression of the disease.
“The 2008 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures shows the tremendous impact this disease is having in Michigan and nationwide. With nearly 180,000 people with Alzheimer’s disease living in Michigan today and with the prevalence on the rise, now is the time to develop an effective blueprint to deal with this disease,” said Elizabeth Longley, president and CEO of the Alzheimer’s Association, Michigan Great Lakes Chapter.
Today, as many as 5.2 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease, the seventh leading cause of death in the country and the fifth leading cause of death for those over age 65. The Association’s report offers numerous statistics that convey the burden Alzheimer’s imposes on individuals, families, government, business, and the nation’s health and long-term care systems. For example,
- Every 71 seconds, someone in America develops Alzheimer’s disease; by mid-century someone will develop Alzheimer’s every 33 seconds.
- By 2010, there will be almost a half million new cases of Alzheimer’s disease a year; and by 2050, there will be almost a million new cases each year.
- Women are nearly twice as likely as men to develop Alzheimer’s disease (17 percent vs. 9 percent). One in six women and one in ten men age 55 and older can expect to develop Alzheimer’s disease in their remaining lifetime. Although it may appear that being female is a risk factor, more women will develop Alzheimer’s because on average, women live longer than men, thereby having more time to develop the disease.
The report highlights that last year, in Michigan alone there were more than 364,000 caregivers, providing nearly 315 million hours of unpaid care for a loved one with Alzheimer’s or another dementia valued at over $3 billion. Nationwide, in 2007, there were nearly 10 million Americans age 18 and over providing 8.4 billion hours of unpaid care to people with Alzheimer’s disease valued at $89 billion. An additional quarter of a million Alzheimer caregivers were children age 8 to 18.
With 70 percent of people with Alzheimer’s and other dementias living at home where friends and family take care of them, the disease not only touches the individual but entire families.
According to the latest statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, from 2000-2005 death rates have declined for most major diseases -- heart disease (-8.6 percent), breast cancer (-.8 percent), prostate cancer (-4.9 percent) and stroke (-14.4 percent), while Alzheimer’s disease deaths continue to trend upward, increasing 45 percent during that period.
“It is more important than ever that research funding be increased to find effective treatments that delay the progression of the disease. The Alzheimer’s Association continues to be vigilant in offering support to individuals living with the disease as well as the hundreds of thousands of Alzheimer caregivers in this state who are grappling with the tremendous challenges an Alzheimer’s diagnosis brings to one’s doorstep,” Longley said.
The Alzheimer’s Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer research, care and support. Through a national network of advocates and chapters, the Association advances research, improves services and care, creates awareness of Alzheimer’s disease and mobilizes support. The Michigan Great Lakes Chapter serves a 23-county region of Michigan with an estimated 44,000 people with Alzheimer’s disease. The chapter has offices in Ann Arbor, Kalamazoo, Lansing and Muskegon. 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.
NOTE: The full text of 2008 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures can be viewed at www.alz.org.
