2010 Report On Alzheimer’s Disease
A 2010 report about the facts and figures of Alzheimer’s Disease which has just been released recently by the Alzheimer’s Association showed that 5,3 million Americans have Alzheimer’s disease. The rate seems to be increasing while that of other dangerous diseases is declining significantly. Alzheimer is now one of seven leading dangerous disease in America as it can kill patients.
Alzheimer and dementia patients are often those who user health care, long-term care and hospice.
The amount used for these services is estimated about 2 billion in annual costs, among which Medicare and Medicaid count up to 3 billion.
The report says that by 2029, 70 million people aged 65 and older will have this disease. This number of people is forecasted to affect greatly on the U.S. health care system. Moreover, health, employment, income and financial security of their families and caregivers will also be influenced. An estimate of 2009 said that about 10.9 million family members and friends did not pay care for a person with Alzheimer’s disease or another dementia.
A special report on ethnicity and Alzheimer’s disease is also mentioned in the newly report of the association.
Accordingly, there is a likelihood that older African-Americans tend to have Alzheimer’s disease two times more than older whites. Meanwhile, older whites are one and one-half times less likely than older Hispanics to have such conditions. Alzheimer’s disease and dementia often result in high blood pressure and diabetes.
The report also said that people who do not have chance to further their education tend to have these conditions easier. Researchers say that people with higher education possess a “Cognitive reserve” which means that they can recompense for symptoms of Alzheimer’s or another dementia.
Another thing that notified in the report is that Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias may likely attack women than men. As women can have higher life expectancy than men, older women tend to have these conditions. The percentage of dementia among women and men are 20 and 17 respectively.
The “2010 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures” includes data on prevalence, mortality, cost of Alzheimer care, care giving, and special report on race, ethnicity and Alzheimer’s disease.
