Impact of Alzheimer’s and Dementia

Who’s Affected by Alzheimer’s Disease?

Your mom, your dad, a spouse, a grandparent—if you or someone you love has received a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s, you’re not alone. Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias affect an alarming number of individuals worldwide, creating one of the most significant social and health crises of the 21st century. The statistics tell the story:

U.S.

• About 5.4 million Americans have Alzheimer’s disease, 96 percent of which are over the age of 65.¹
• By age 85, the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease reaches nearly 50 percent.¹
• The number of Americans with Alzheimer’s is projected to reach between 11.3 and 16 million people by 2050.¹

Canada

• An estimated 500,000 Canadians have Alzheimer’s disease, 86 percent of which are over the age of 65.²
• The risk for dementia doubles every five years after age 65.²
• Within a generation, the number of Canadians living with dementia will grow to around 1.1 million.²

World

• An estimated 35.6 million people live with dementia worldwide, a number that is projected to increase to 115.4 million by 2050.³

Sources:

1. Alzheimer’s Association Facts and Figures Report (2011)
2. Alzheimer Society of Canada (2010)
3. World Alzheimer’s Report (2010)

Impact on Caregivers

The demanding level of care required by someone with Alzheimer’s or related dementia takes its toll on a caregiver. The prolonged and progressive nature of Alzheimer’s, as well as the way memory loss and other dementia symptoms can cause an individual to need constant assistance and supervision, places enormous physical, emotional and psychological strain on the caregiver.

U.S.

• 1 out of 5 Alzheimer's caregivers (20 percent) is in just fair or poor health, and 18 percent report that caregiving has made their health worse.¹
• An estimated 57 percent of caregivers work full or part time. Two-thirds of working caregivers (66 percent) have missed work because of caregiving responsibilities.¹
• Three-quarters (74 percent) of Alzheimer's caregivers report unmet needs. Specifically they need more time for themselves (36 percent), help managing stress (34 percent), and information on managing challenging behaviors (31 percent).¹
• On a five-point scale where five is a great deal of emotional stress, 41 percent of Alzheimer's caregivers rate their stress as a 4 or 5, compared with 31 percent of all other caregivers.¹

Canada

• Family caregivers spent approximately 259 million hours caring for someone with dementia in 2010, a time commitment that will likely triple to 756 million hours by 2038.²
• Caregiving for a loved one with dementia places a considerable physical and psychological toll on family members; up to 75 percent will develop psychological illnesses; 15 to 32 percent suffer from depression.³

Sources:

1. Alzheimer’s Association and National Alliance for Caregiving: Families Care: Alzheimer’s Caregiving in the United States (2004)
2. Alzheimer Society of Canada, Rising Tide: The Impact of Dementia on Canadian Society (2010)
3. Alzheimer Society of Canada (2010)

Economic Burden

If dementia were a company, it would surpass Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. as the world’s largest corporation by annual revenue. The health care costs associated with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias place a tremendous economic burden on individuals and society, and show no sign of letting up. As members of the baby boomer generation start entering their senior years, the number of people with dementia and their corresponding health care costs will dramatically increase.

U.S.

• The costs of health care, long-term care and hospice combined equal $183 billion per year, and are expected to increase to 1.1 trillion per year by 2050.¹
• The costs covering caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer’s, including lost productivity, absenteeism and worker replacement totaled $36.5 billion in 2002.²

Canada

• In 2010, the cost of dementia in Canada was estimated at $22 billion a year. This accounts for direct, indirect and opportunity costs associated with the provision of unpaid care.³
• Over the next 25 years, the cumulative economic cost of dementia is expected to exceed $872 billion.⁴

World

• The total estimated worldwide costs of dementia in 2010 were US$604 billion. If dementia were a company, it would be the world’s largest by annual revenue exceeding Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (US$414 billion) and Exxon Mobil (US$311 billion).

Sources:

1. Alzheimer’s Association Facts and Figures Report 2011
2. Alzheimer’s Association: Alzheimer’s Disease: The Costs to U.S. Businesses in 2002
3. Alzheimer Society of Canada (2010)
4. Alzheimer Society of Canada, Rising Tide: The Impact of Dementia on Canadian Society (2010)
5. Alzheimer’s Disease International: World Alzheimer Report 2010

Options

While there is no cure for Alzheimer’s or related dementia illnesses, the impacts of this disease on caregivers and the health system can receive some relief through the use of in home, non-medical care. Using a paid care provider, like Home Instead CAREGivers, to supplement the family caregivers’ hard work and dedication can lead to improved caregiver health and can decrease overall health care cost. In fact, research conducted by Home Instead has shown that seniors who benefit from paid caregiver services have fewer doctors’ visits and fewer hospitalizations.

Visit our Home Care section to learn more about Home Instead’s Alzheimer's and dementia care services.