Alzheimer’s disease: Facts and Figures

• For people out there is important to be aware that Alzheimer’s disease is the 7th leading cause of death in the United States.

• Every 72 seconds, someone in the US develops Alzheimer’s disease.

• Alzheimer’s is not normal aging, it is a progressive and fatal disease that gradually destroys a person’s memory and ability to learn, reason, make judgments, communicate and carry out daily activities.

• By 2050, experts predict that there will be as many as 16 million Americans living with the disease.

• Approximately 116,000 people in Wisconsin are living with this disease; more than 50,000 of them in the southeastern region, including greater Milwaukee.

• One out of eight people age 65 and older have Alzheimer’s and nearly one out of every two over age 85 has it.

• There are approximately 500,000 Americans younger than 65 with Alzheimer’s or another dementia

(Source: Alzheimer’s Association, 2008)

Alzheimer’s Association: Facts

• The Alzheimer’s Association is the only organization dedicated to eliminating this devastating disease through the advancement of research and to enhancing care and support for individuals, their families and caregivers.
• Founded in 1983, the Alzheimer’s Association of Southeastern Wisconsin is a private, non-profit 501(c) 3 organization that is part of the national Alzheimer’s Association chapter network.
• The mission of the organization is to eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of research and to enhance care and support for individuals, their families and caregivers.
• The organization is comprised of 80 chapters throughout the country.

Programs and Services offered by the Alzheimer’s Association

The Southeastern Wisconsin chapter provides a number of effective programs and services for the community, including:

Helpline - 24/7 information and referral helpline that provides over the phone emotional support, referrals and assistance, chapter services and community resources - 800.272.3900.
Care Consultation – assists families through guidance and information on an individualized basis in finding needed services in their community.
Support Groups – give family members and those with the disease the opportunity to share with others in their same circumstance.
Safe Return + MedicAlert – a personal identification program for individuals who may wander to get lost due to Alzheimer’s.
Education and Training – a variety of programs and trainings to provide information on Alzheimer’s disease, the importance of early diagnosis and all techniques and strategies to help those impacted.
Workplace Education – working with businesses in the community to provide support for employees who are caregivers.
Ester and Sol Blankstein Resource Center – a library of educational materials for loan or purchase through the chapter.