Alzheimer’s disease affects millions of Americans every year. While many people will think that having a loved one with this disease will be like in The Notebook, that is not always the case.
Taking care of an Alzheimer’s patient is difficult and tasking. In fact, it affects more people as the day goes by. As part of the process, the Alzheimer’s patient has to deal with lots of adjustments, not just the small things but the routinary things being done on a daily basis. Examples are the type of clothes the patient should wear, the meals, the daily exercises, and lots of other things to consider will get affected. Here are some statistics you should know.
Statistics About Alzheimer’s Disease
Scroll down for video
Statistics
- An estimated 5.1 million Americans have Alzheimer’s or Dementia
- The incidence of the disease is rising in line with the aging population—Alzheimer’s usually affects people over 60 years old.
- Alzheimer’s disease is not a normal part of aging, but the risk of developing such illness rises with aging. Research from the National Institute on Aging notes that the increasing number of patients affected with this disease doubles every five years beyond age 65.
- As the population ages, the risk of getting the disease impacts more Americans. The number of people aged 65 and older will double between 2010 and 2050 to 88.5 million—a massive 20 percent of the population. Meanwhile, people aged 85 and older will rise three-fold to 19 million—large numbers that can cost a lot for many families and the government as well.
- About a half million Americans younger than age 65 have some early-onset form of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease.
- One to four family members acts as caregivers for each person with Alzheimer’s disease.
Heart & Soul Hospice
Watch the video below
