Currently the sixth leading cause of death in the United States, professionals estimate that Alzheimer’s will soon rank as high as third, behind only heart disease and cancer. The most common form of dementia, here are some facts about this tragic, and debilitating, condition:
- Currently, at least 5.6 million adults over the age of 65 suffer from Alzheimer’s
- By 2050, there will be a new case of Alzheimer’s diagnosed every 33 seconds
- Current societal costs of Alzheimer’s tally nearly $300 billion, with approximately two-thirds of that covered by Medicare and Medicaid
- More women than men have Alzheimer’s; rather than signify a gender bias, this may be due solely to the longer life expectancy of females
- Over 16 million Americans are caregivers to someone with Alzheimer’s
Alzheimer’s is a destructive disease that increases the likelihood of poor physical and mental health – and not just in those who suffer from it. With severely strained relationships and no time to themselves, caregivers are apt to struggle with burnout and compassion fatigue as they allocate their precious time to providing care for loved ones.
To learn more about dementia and Alzheimer’s support in Livingston, New Jersey, contact the experienced team at Sunshine Adult Day Health Care Center.
