CHICAGO, March 20, 2018 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/
-- For the second consecutive year, total payments to care for
individuals living with Alzheimer's or other dementias are
projected to surpass a quarter of a trillion dollars ($277 billion), which includes an increase of
nearly $20 billion over last year,
according to data reported in the Alzheimer's Association 2018
Alzheimer's Disease Facts and Figures report released
today.
An accompanying special report titled, "Alzheimer's Disease:
Financial and Personal Benefits of Early Diagnosis," highlights
new economic modeling data indicating early diagnosis of
Alzheimer's during the mild cognitive impairment (MCI) stage of the
disease could save the nation as much as $7.9 trillion in health and long-term care
expenditures. The report also highlights personal benefits of early
diagnosis for individuals and families.
New findings from the report show the growing burden of
Alzheimer's on people living with the disease, their families and
caregivers, as well as society at large. The number of older
Americans is growing rapidly, so too is the number of people living
with Alzheimer's and the subsequent impact to the nation's economy.
By 2050, the total cost of care for Alzheimer's is projected to
increase to more than $1.1
trillion.
"This year's report illuminates the growing cost and impact of
Alzheimer's on the nation's health care system, and also points to
the growing financial, physical and emotional toll on families
facing this disease," said Keith
Fargo, Ph.D., director of scientific programs and outreach
for the Alzheimer's Association. "Soaring prevalence, rising
mortality rates and lack of an effective treatment all lead to
enormous costs to society, Alzheimer's is a burden that's only
going to get worse. We must continue to attack Alzheimer's through
a multidimensional approach that advances research while also
improving support for people with the disease and their
caregivers."
Given the long duration of this disease, the strain on
Alzheimer's caregivers can last several years and produce serious
declines in caregiver physical, emotional and financial well-being.
In 2017, 16 million Americans provided an estimated 18.4 billion
hours of unpaid care in the form of physical, emotional and
financial support – a contribution to the nation valued at
$232.1 billion. The difficulties
associated with providing this level of care are estimated to have
resulted in $11.4 billion in
additional healthcare costs for Alzheimer's and other dementia
caregivers in 2017.
Mortality from Alzheimer's disease continues to rise. While
deaths from other major causes continue to decrease, new data from
the report shows that deaths from Alzheimer's disease have more
than doubled, increasing 123 percent between 2000 and 2015. For
context the number of deaths from heart disease – the number one
killer in America – decreased 11 percent.
"Discoveries in science mean fewer people are dying at an early
age from heart disease, cancer and other diseases," said Fargo.
"Similar scientific breakthroughs are needed for Alzheimer's
disease, and will only be achieved by making it a national health
care priority and increasing funding for research that can one day
lead to early detection, better treatments and ultimately a
cure."
The Impact of Alzheimer's Biomarkers and Earlier
Diagnosis
The Facts and Figures special report explains how the
identification of biological markers, or biomarkers, for
Alzheimer's will be critical to improving disease diagnosis and
researching treatments that may prevent or delay the onset of
clinical symptoms, such as memory loss, confusion, and difficulties
carrying out routine day-to-day tasks.
Alzheimer's biomarkers are transforming the way that researchers
and physicians understand the disease, from one based on symptoms
to one based on changes in the brain. Individuals no longer need to
be diagnosed with Alzheimer's after significant damage is already
done to the brain. Instead, due to awareness of Alzheimer's and
recognition of early symptoms, as well as the development and
approval of beta-amyloid imaging biomarkers, Alzheimer's diagnosis
can occur earlier in the disease process than ever before, such as
in the MCI due to Alzheimer's stage of the disease.
The report also highlights new economic modeling data showing
early diagnosis during the MCI stage of the disease would result in
cost savings as much as $7.9 trillion
over the lifetime of all Americans living today.
"Diagnosing Alzheimer's earlier has huge cost-savings
implications," Fargo said. "Studies show the expenses associated
with identification of people with mild cognitive impairment – the
earliest stage at which clinical symptoms are present – are lower
than those associated with people in the later stage of dementia.
In addition, costs are lower once a person with Alzheimer's gets on
the right care path. The disease is better managed, there are fewer
complications from other chronic conditions, and unnecessary
hospitalizations are avoided. The sooner the diagnosis occurs, the
sooner these costs can be managed and savings can begin."
Earlier diagnosis was also associated with greater per-person
savings. The new modeling data indicates that in today's
environment – in which diagnosis usually occurs in the dementia
stage if at all – the projected health and long-term care costs of
an individual with Alzheimer's is $424,000. Under an early diagnosis scenario in
which an individual has a greater likelihood of being diagnosed
during the MCI stage, the average per-person cost is projected to
be $360,000 – a savings of
$64,000 per individual.
The special report also details personal benefits of early
diagnosis, including:
- Accurate diagnosis – early diagnosis can help
determine if cognitive changes are truly due to Alzheimer's or some
other – perhaps even treatable – condition.
- Medical benefits – early diagnosis allows
individuals to adopt lifestyle changes which may help preserve
their existing cognitive function for as long as possible;
interventions such as controlling blood pressure, smoking cessation
and exercise.
- Participation in Clinical Trials – early
diagnosis allows individuals to enroll in clinical trials that
advance research and may provide medical benefits.
- Planning for the future – early
diagnosis allows individuals more time to plan for the future
while they are cognitively able to make legal, financial and
end-of-life decisions.
- Emotional and social benefits – early diagnosis
provides individuals with an opportunity to maximize time spent
engaging in meaningful activities and interacting with the most
important people in their lives. It can also open doors to many
educational and support programs.
Updated Alzheimer's Statistics
The Facts and Figures report provides an in-depth look at
the latest national statistics and information on Alzheimer's
prevalence, incidence, mortality, costs of care and caregiving:
Prevalence, Incidence and Mortality
- An estimated 5.7 million Americans of all ages are living with
Alzheimer's dementia in 2018.
- By 2025 – just seven years from now – the number of people age
65 and older with Alzheimer's dementia is estimated to reach 7.1
million – an increase of almost 29 percent from the 5.5 million age
65 and older affected in 2018.
- Barring the development of medical breakthroughs, the number of
people age 65 and older with Alzheimer's dementia may nearly triple
from 5.5 million to 13.8 million by 2050.
- Two-thirds of Americans over age 65 with Alzheimer's dementia
(3.4 million) are women.
- Every 65 seconds, someone in the U.S. develops Alzheimer's
dementia. By mid-century, someone in the U.S. will develop the
disease every 33 seconds.
- Alzheimer's is the sixth-leading cause of death in the U.S.,
and it is the fifth-leading cause of death for those age 65 and
older.
- As the population of the U.S. ages, Alzheimer's is becoming a
more common cause of death, and it is the only top 10 cause of
death that cannot be prevented, cured or even slowed.
Cost of Care
- Total national cost of caring for those with Alzheimer's and
other dementias is estimated at $277
billion (not including unpaid caregiving) in 2018, of which
$186 billion is the cost to Medicare
and Medicaid; out-of-pocket costs represent $60 billion of the total payments, while other
costs total $30 billion.
- Total payments for health care, long-term care and hospice care
for people with Alzheimer's and other dementias are projected to
increase to more than $1.1 trillion
in 2050 (in 2018 dollars).
- In 2017, the lifetime cost of care for a person living with
dementia was $341,840 – with 70
percent of this cost borne by families directly through
out-of-pocket costs and the value of unpaid care.
Caregiving
- Nearly half of all caregivers (48 percent) who provide help to
older adults do so for someone with Alzheimer's or another
dementia.
- Approximately two-thirds of caregivers are women, and one-third
of dementia caregivers are daughters.
- Forty-one percent of caregivers have a household income of
$50,000 or less.
- It is estimated that the U.S. has approximately half the number
of certified geriatricians that it currently needs, and only nine
percent of nurse practitioners report having special expertise in
gerontological care.
Full text of the 2018 Alzheimer's Disease Facts and
Figures report, including the accompanying special report,
"Alzheimer's Disease: Financial and Personal Benefits of Early
Diagnosis," can be viewed here. For
multi-media support of this year's report, click
here.
About 2018 Alzheimer's Disease Facts and
Figures
The Alzheimer's
Association 2018 Alzheimer's Disease Facts and
Figures report is a comprehensive compilation of national
statistics and information on Alzheimer's disease and related
dementias. The report conveys the impact of Alzheimer's on
individuals, families, government and the nation's health care
system. Since its 2007 inaugural release, the report has become the
preeminent source covering the broad spectrum of Alzheimer's
issues. The Facts and Figures report is an official
publication of the Alzheimer's Association.
About the Alzheimer's Association
The Alzheimer's
Association is the leading voluntary health organization in
Alzheimer's care, support and research. 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®. Visit www.alz.org or
call 800.272.3900.
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SOURCE Alzheimer's Association