Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia, a general term for memory loss and cognitive decline serious enough to interfere with daily life. Alzheimer’s accounts for 60 to 80 percent of dementia cases. The disease causes problems with memory, thinking and behavior. Symptoms usually develop slowly and get worse over time, becoming severe enough to interfere with daily tasks. Alzheimer’s disease is our nation’s most under-recognized health crisis.
Every 65 seconds, someone in America develops Alzheimer’s – resulting in nearly half a million new cases this year. By 2050, someone in the United States will develop the disease every 33 seconds. At that time, the total number of people living with Alzheimer’s is projected to reach 14 million – and could be as high as 16 million.
- Click here for in-depth information about the disease from the Alzheimer’s Association.
- Click here for the Alzheimer’s Association 2019 Facts & Figures report.
- Alzheimer’s is the most expensive disease in America and will cost the nation $290 billion in 2019.
- Alzheimer’s is progressive and fatal.
- Alzheimer’s disease is the 6th leading cause of death among all Americans, though it may cause even more deaths than official sources recognize. It is the 5th leading cause of death in those 65 and older.
- It is America’s only top 10 cause of death that cannot be prevented, cured or slowed.
- Alzheimer’s kills more than breast and prostate cancer combined.
- Individuals with the disease need round-the-clock care as the disease progresses.
- There are approximately 5.8 million people in the United States living with Alzheimer’s disease.
- Approximately 200,000 of those with the disease are younger than 65.
- An estimated 700,000 Americans aged 65 and older who die in 2019 will have Alzheimer’s disease.
- The number of people with Alzheimer’s is expected to reach 14 million by 2050.
- Almost two-thirds of those with Alzheimer’s in the United States are women.
- People with dementia experience 3 times as many hospitalizations as those without.
- Deaths from Alzheimer’s increased 145% since 2000.