Alzheimer’s is a neurodegenerative disease where symptoms of dementia gradually increase and intensify over the years, making it difficult for seniors to live out their normal daily lives. Alzheimer’s affects more than 7 million people in the United States and has become an increasingly common concern for the medical field and caregivers to manage.
Alzheimer’s Facts
Here are the most up-to-date* facts on the advanced disease:
- Alzheimer’s is the 7th* leading cause of death in the United States.
- Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia, accounting for 60% to 80% of cases.
- By 2050, the number of people aged 65 and older with Alzheimer’s dementia is projected to reach 13.8 million.
- 1 in 3 seniors dies with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia.
- Family members and friends provided nearly 18.4 billion hours of unpaid care valued at $350 billion* to people with Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases in 2023.
- In America, 11 million* people in total provide unpaid care for people with Alzheimer’s and other dementias.
- In 2024, the total national health and long-term care cost of caring for people with Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases is projected to reach $360 billion. This does not include the cost of unpaid care. This number could jump as high as $1.1 trillion by 2050.
- 82% of primary care physicians say they are on the front lines of providing dementia care.
- Alzheimer’s takes the lives of more people than breast cancer and prostate cancer combined.
- 50% of primary care physicians believe the medical profession is not ready for the growing number of people with Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases.
*Updated June 2024