Alzheimer’s Statistics

2019 Alzheimer’s Statistics

Alzheimer’s Worldwide

• Worldwide, nearly 50 million people have Alzheimer’s or related dementia. (Bright Focus Foundation)
• Only 1-in-4 people with Alzheimer’s disease have been diagnosed. (Alzheimer’s Disease International)
• Alzheimer’s and dementia is most common in Western Europe (North America is close behind).
• Alzheimer’s is least prevalent in Sub-Saharan Africa. (Alzheimer’s Disease International)
• Alzheimer’s and other dementias are the top cause of disabilities in later life. (Alzheimer’s Disease International)
• 68% of the projected increase in the global prevalence and burden of dementia by 2050 will take place in low and middle-income countries. (Alzheimer’s Association)

Alzheimer’s Care Costs

• In 2018, Alzheimer’s and dementia care in the U.S. cost $277 billion.
• In 2018, caregivers of people with Alzheimer’s or other dementias provided an estimated 18.5 billion hours of informal (that is, unpaid) assistance, a contribution to the nation valued at $233.9 billion.
• The total lifetime cost of care for someone with dementia was estimated at $250,174 in 2018.
• By 2050, costs associated with dementia could be as much as $1.1 trillion.

Alzheimer’s in the United States

• Alzheimer’s is the 6th leading cause of death in the United States.
• Alzheimer’s is the only disease in the 10 leading causes of deaths in the United States that cannot be cured, prevented or slowed.
• 1 in 10 Americans over the age of 65 has Alzheimer’s.
• Between 2017 and 2025 every state is expected to see at least a 14% rise in the prevalence of Alzheimer’s.
• There was an 89% increase in deaths due to Alzheimer’s between 2000 and 2014.
• More than 5 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s.
• By 2050, it’s estimated there will be as many as 16 million Americans living with Alzheimer’s.
• Every 66 seconds someone in the United States develops Alzheimer’s.
• 1 in 3 seniors dies with some form of dementia.
• When the first wave of baby boomers reaches age 85 (in 2031), it is projected that more than 3 million people age 85 and older will have Alzheimer’s.
• One-third of Americans over age 85 are afflicted with the illness.
• Typical life expectancy after an Alzheimer’s diagnosis is 4-to-8 years.
• By 2025, the number of people aged 65 and older with Alzheimer’s disease is expected to reach 7.1 million people, a 27% increase from the 5.6 million age 65 and older in 2019.
• By 2050, there could be as many as 7 million people age 85 and older with Alzheimer’s disease, accounting for half (51%) of all people 65 and older with Alzheimer’s.
• Proportion of People With Alzheimer’s Disease in the United States by Age: 85+ years – 38%,  75-84 years, 44%, 65-74 years, 15%, <65 years, 4%

Projected Number of People Age 65 and Older in the U.S. Population With Alzheimer’s Disease, 2010 to 2050:

2010

Ages 65+: 4.7 Million

2020

Ages 65+: 5.8 Million

2030

Ages 65+: 8.4 Million

2040

Ages 65+: 11.6 Million

2050

Ages 65+: 13.8 Million

Alzheimer’s Caregivers

• Nearly one-fourth of Alzheimer’s and dementia caregivers are “sandwich generation” caregivers – caring for both someone with the disease and a child or grandchild.
• More than 40% of family caregivers report that the emotional stress of their role is high or very high.
• More than 1 in 6 Alzheimer’s and dementia caregivers had to quit work entirely either to become a caregiver in the first place or because their caregiving duties became too burdensome.
• 74% of caregivers of people with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias reported that they were “somewhat concerned” to “very concerned” about maintaining their health since becoming a caregiver.

Who Gets Alzheimer’s Disease?

• 2-in-3  people with Alzheimer’s are women.
• African and Hispanic Americans are more likely to develop Alzheimer’s than Caucasian Americans.
• Mississippi has a higher rate of Alzheimer’s mortality than any other state at 45.8%.
• Alzheimer’s mortality is lowest in New York at 13.1%.
• 30% of people with Alzheimer’s also have heart disease, and 29% also have diabetes.

Sources:

• 2018 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures
• Centers for Disease Control
• World Alzheimer’s Report