Report shows impact of Alzheimer’s disease in Idaho
According to the Alzheimer’s Association’s Disease Fact and Figures Report, over 5 million people live with Alzheimer’s disease in the United States, with that number expected to triple to as many as 15 million by 2050.
Idaho is home to over 27,000 people living with Alzheimer’s disease and an estimated 87,000 family members who provide daily care for people with Alzheimer’s — a progressive, fatal brain disease for which there is no cure.
As staggering as these statistics are, they pale in comparison to the explosive growth of Alzheimer’s that will occur over the next 20 years as life expectancy increases and people live longer with chronic, once fatal conditions. Nearly one in every three seniors who dies each year has Alzheimer’s or another dementia.
“In Idaho, by 2025, a conservative estimate of 33,000 people will be living with the disease. That is a shocking 27% increase over a five-year period.” stated Adrean Cavener, Executive Director, Alzheimer’s Association of Greater Idaho. “Of the leading ten causes of death in the United States, Alzheimer’s is the only one that cannot be prevented, delayed or cured.”
The fiscal impact of Alzheimer’s disease is staggering. According to the report, allocations from Idaho Medicaid each year top $149 million with an estimated increase of nearly 32 percent over the next 5 years. The cost of caring for those with Alzheimer’s and other dementias in our Nation is estimated at $305 billion in 2020, increasing to $1.1 trillion by mid-century.
“This impending public health crisis presents challenges that compel policy leaders and key stakeholders to act.” said Lisa Anderson, Public Policy Director, Alzheimer’s Association. “Many people with Alzheimer’s suffer from multiple chronic conditions, and the need for support is great. As the number of Idahoans living with Alzheimer’s disease continues to increase, there is a significant, urgent need for a comprehensive strategic plan.”
Negative stereotypes around Alzheimer’s disease persist due to misconceptions, lack of acceptance and understanding. Alzheimer’s remains one of the most feared diseases in America. This lack of awareness has fueled continued stigmatization of people living with Alzheimer’s disease and their families, which further isolates them from their community.
Over eighty percent of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia are diagnosed by primary care physicians. Early detection is imperative, but only 16% of adults over 65 are receiving cognitive assessments.
“It is imperative that cognitive assessments become a normal portion of annual wellness visits.” said Cavener, ““Many physicians are unsure how to broach the subject of cognitive decline with their patients and patients are waiting for their physician to bring up the matter.”
Nine in 10 primary care physicians anticipate the increase in individuals living with dementia over the next five years, but over half of those recognize that the medical profession is ill equipped to meet the demand.
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Information: www.alz.org
The newly released report indicates that based on current demographics, Idaho must increase the number of geriatricians in the State by 770% before 2050 to meet future demands.
Alzheimer’s is a devastating disease, but its impact is not just on those diagnosed. Alzheimer’s affects entire families, exacting tremendous financial hardships.
To date, there are more than 87,000 caregivers in Idaho giving 99 million hours of voluntary care, equating to an estimated value of nearly $1.3 billion of unpaid labor. The lifetime cost of dementia is estimated to be $350,000, including the value of unpaid caregiving, with families shouldering 70 percent of these costs.