And while we have made tremendous advances in those two decades, the scope of what we are up against has increased as well:
- An estimated 5 million Americans are currently living with Alzheimer’s disease, including some 200,000 to 500,000 adults under age 65 with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, and some 65,000 greater Siouxland residents.
- One in eight people age 65 and older has Alzheimer’s, and nearly one in two over age 85 has it.
- Seven in ten people with Alzheimer’s and other dementias live at home, cared for by family and friends with little outside help. In addition, seven in ten nursing home residents have some degree of cognitive impairment.
- Almost 10 million Americans are caring for a person with Alzheimer’s or another dementia; approximately one out of three of these caregivers is 60 years or older.
- In 2005, it is estimated that unpaid caregivers of people with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias provided 8.5 billion hours of care valued at over 83 billion dollars. This translates to:
- 93,556 Iowa caregivers providing an estimated 80.75 million hours of care, valued at just under $790 million.
- 57,819 Nebraska caregivers providing an estimated 49.9 million hours of care, valued at over $488 million.
- 25,812 South Dakota caregivers providing an estimated 22.3 million hours of care, valued at just under $218 million.
- Alzheimer’s disease is the sixth leading cause of death for people in the United States; and the fifth leading cause of death for Americans over 65.
While there remains no cure for Alzheimer's disease itself, there is much that can be done now to support individuals with memory loss disorders as well as the family members who care for them--to maintain dignity, safety, and quality of life, and to keep families together at home for as long as possible.
This is what the Alzheimer's Association is all about, and this is what your support helps to accomplish.
During an average year, the Big Sioux Chapter reaches an estimated ten thousand people throughout greater Siouxland--different programs serving different people in different ways. The people we reach through our programming fall into several general categories:
- Individuals with Alzheimer’s or other memory loss disorders
- Their families, friends and caregivers
- Long-term care professionals in assisted living, and nursing care fields
- Police, firefighters, emergency responders and other public safety personnel
- Civic and community groups, as well as the general public
Your generous support helps us to continue providing in-home respite care, Safe Return registration, education and training, 24/7 information, support and assistance, professional care consultation, support and awareness groups, and advocacy for further support and assistance to all of these Siouxlanders.
In addition, your support helps us move closer to our vision of a world without Alzheimer's disease.
Thank you.
