The latest facts and figures from the Alzheimer’s Association highlights the growth of Alzheimer’s disease, estimating a dramatic increase in incidence, or new cases of the disease, by 2050 across the United States.
Learn more about their report and which U.S. states Alzheimer’s is on the rise in.
Alzheimer’s Is on the Rise in Every State
Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia and is expected to reach epidemic proportions across the globe, if no cure is found. A report detailing the latest facts and figures about Alzheimer’s from the Alzheimer’s Association found that 10% of adults in the U.S. over the age of 65 have Alzheimer’s.
The report estimates that Alzheimer’s will rise by 14% in all 50 states over the next eight years.
The Alzheimer’s Association notes that “between 2017 and 2025 every state across the country is expected to experience an increase of at least 14% in the number of people with Alzheimer’s due to increases in the population age 65 and older. The West and Southeast are expected to experience the largest percentage increases in people with Alzheimer’s between 2017 and 2025. These increases will have a marked impact on states’ health care systems, as well as the Medicaid program, which covers the costs of long-term care and support for some older residents with dementia.”
Noting that age is the biggest risk factor for Alzheimer’s, states with a larger senior population would be expected to have a higher rate of Alzheimer’s than younger states. Additionally, some socioeconomic factors are also associated with Alzheimer’s.
The states expected to have the biggest increase in Alzheimer’s diagnoses are:
- Alaska: Alaska has the lowest number of adults over the age of 65 – less than 10% of Alaska’s population. 10% of seniors in Alaska have Alzheimer’s – the nation’s lowest percentage. However, Alzheimer’s is expected to increase by 54.9% by 2025 in the state of Alaska leading Medicaid costs for treating Alzheimer’s to increase by 82.5%.
- Arizona: 16.4% of Arizona’s population is over the age of 65 and 11.6% of these seniors have Alzheimer’s. Alzheimer’s is expected to increase by 53.8% by 2025 in the state. Last year, Alzheimer’s was the 8th leading cause of death among Arizona residents.
- Nevada: Alzheimer’s is expected to grow 48.8% between 2018 and 2025 in Nevada. 14.6% of their population is over the age of 65 and 10.2% of adults over the age of 65 currently have Alzheimer’ – one of the nation’s lowest percentages. This number is still expected to increase at an alarming rate to nearly 50%.
Preparing for a Future with Alzheimer’s
A large part of the estimated jump in Alzheimer’s is due to the baby boomer generation reaching their senior years and increased longevity. The Alzheimer’s Association report states, “The number of Americans surviving into their 80s, 90s and beyond is expected to grow dramatically due to medical advances, as well as social and environmental conditions. Additionally, a large segment of the American population — the baby boom generation — has begun to reach age 65 and older, ages when the risk for Alzheimer’s and other dementias is elevated. By 2030, the segment of the U.S. population age 65 and older will increase substantially, and the projected 74 million older Americans will make up over 20% of the total population (up from 14% in 2012). As the number of older Americans grows rapidly, so too will the numbers of new and existing cases of Alzheimer’s and dementia.”
On a global scale, Alzheimer’s is growing at a rate of epidemic proportions. In 2010, there was an estimated 454,000 new cases of Alzheimer’s. It’s estimated that by 2030, that number will increase by 35% to 615,000 and by 110% to 959,000 in 2050.
For more information on the latest facts and figures of Alzheimer’s, check out the full report from the Alzheimer’s Association.
Is your state expected to see one of the biggest increases in Alzheimer’s? How will this affect you and your family? We’d like to hear your stories in the comments below.
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