Although the average American is living almost twice as long today as was the case just a century ago thanks to advances in science and medicine, we have yet to figure out how to stop the natural aging process. As a result, living longer often means living longer with physical and/or mental deterioration. Alzheimer’s disease, in particular, has increased dramatically in prevalence in the United States over the last several decades, meaning the odds are extremely high that you, or someone close to you, will suffer from Alzheimer’s. Because you will likely be faced with the disease at some point in your life, it may be helpful to read the following “ Ten things you should know about Alzheimer’s disease . ”
1. Alzheimer’s is a dementia related disease that causes problems with memory, behavior, and thinking processes in a victim. Alzheimer’s sufferers account for approximately 60-80 percent of all dementia diseases.2. About five percent of all Alzheimer’s sufferers have “early onset Alzheimer’s” which begins to exhibit symptoms in a victim when the victim is in his/her 40s or 50s.
3. 1 in 9 older Americans (65 and older) has Alzheimer’s disease. 1 in 3 people over age 85 has Alzheimer’s.
4. In 2015, 5.3 million Americans are suffering from Alzheimer’s. By 2050, experts predict that figure will almost triple to approximately 14 million.
5. Between 2015 and 2025 the number of people nationwide suffering from Alzheimer’s disease is expected to increase almost 15 percent. In the State of Missouri the increase is expected to be just over 18 percent.
6. Women are statistically much more likely to suffer from Alzheimer’s. In the U.S., almost 2 out of every 3 Alzheimer patients is a woman.
7. 1 in every 3 seniors dies suffering from Alzheimer’s disease or another age-related dementia disease.
8. Alzheimer’s is the 6th leading cause of death in the United States and is the only cause of death in the top ten that cannot be prevented, cured, or slowed.
9. In 2015, the U.S. will spend approximately $225 billion on Alzheimer’s. By the year 2050 that figure is projected to climb to a staggering $1.1 trillion.
10. In just a single year, caregivers of Alzheimer patients provided approximately 18 billion hours of unpaid care worth an estimated $218 billion. To put that figure in perspective, it is almost half the net value of all Walmart sales and nearly eight times the net revenue for all McDonalds the previous year.
If you have additional legal questions or concerns about Alzheimer’s disease, contact the experienced Missouri estate planning and elder law attorneys at Amen, Gantner & Capriano, Your Estate Matters, LLC by calling (314) 966-8077 to schedule an appointment.
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