Vermont Business Magazine For the second consecutive year, total payments to care for individuals living with Alzheimer’s or other dementias will surpass a quarter of a trillion dollars ($277 billion), which includes an increase of nearly $20 billion from last year, according to data reported in the Alzheimer’s Association 2018 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures report released last week. In 2018 Medicaid costs for caring for Vermonters living with Alzheimer’s will reach$106 million.
New findings from the report show the growing burden of Alzheimer’s on people living with the disease, their families and caregivers, as well as society at large. The number of older Americans is growing rapidly, so too is the number of people living with Alzheimer’s and the subsequent impact to the nation’s economy. By 2050, the total cost of care for Alzheimer’s is projected to increase to more than $1.1 trillion.
“We have grown to over 13,000 Vermonters living with Alzheimer’s or a related dementia and more than 30,000 Vermonters as caregivers for a person living with the disease, contributing a total of 34,000,000 hours of unpaid care or $430,000,000 in unpaid care” stated Pamela Beidler, Director of Programs and Outreach at the Alzheimer’s Association, Vermont Chapter. “Alzheimer’s is a fatal brain disease, which cannot be prevented, cured or slowed in its progression. Our healthcare systems can and must prepare to effectively address this escalating crisis for those living with disease and their caregivers.”
Given the long duration of this disease, the strain on Alzheimer’s caregivers can last several years and produce serious declines in caregiver physical, emotional and financial well-being. In 2017, 16 million Americans provided an estimated 18.4 billion hours of unpaid care in the form of physical, emotional and financial support – a contribution to the nation valued at $232.1 billion. The difficulties associated with providing this level of care are estimated to have resulted in $11.4 billion in additional healthcare costs for Alzheimer’s and other dementia caregivers in 2017. In Vermont the estimated healthcare costs for dementia caregivers is $27,000,000.
Mortality from Alzheimer’s disease continues to rise. While deaths from other major causes continue to decrease, new data from the report shows that deaths from Alzheimer’s disease have more than doubled, increasing 123 percent between 2000 and 2015. For context the number of deaths from heart disease – the number one killer in America – decreased 11 percent.
“Alzheimer’s disease is the 6th leading cause of death in Vermont and Vermont has the 6th highest Alzheimer’s death rate in America with 298 recorded deaths in 2015” stated Pamela Beidler. “With early detection and diagnosis, an aging state like Vermont could significantly reduce health and long-term care expenditures while supporting our most vulnerable populations.”
Updated Alzheimer’s Statistics
The Facts and Figures report provides an in-depth look at the latest national and state statistics and information on Alzheimer’s prevalence, incidence, mortality, costs of care and caregiving:
Prevalence, Incidence and Mortality
• An estimated 5.7 million Americans of all ages are living with Alzheimer’s dementia in 2018.
• Of the estimated 5.7 million Americans living with Alzheimer’s dementia in 2018, including 13,000 Vermonters.
• By 2025 – justseven years from now– the number of people age 65 and older with Alzheimer’s dementia is estimated to reach 7.1 million – an increase of almost 29 percent from the 5.5 million age 65 and older affected in 2018. Here in Vermont, the estimated number of individuals with Alzheimer’s will be 17,000.
• Barring the development of medical breakthroughs, the number of people age 65 and older with Alzheimer’s dementia may nearly triple from 5.5 million to 13.8 million by 2050.
• Two-thirds of Americans over age 65 with Alzheimer’s dementia (3.4 million) are women.
• Every 65 seconds, someone in the U.S. develops Alzheimer’s dementia. By mid-century, someone in the U.S. will develop the disease every 33 seconds.
• Alzheimer’s is the sixth-leading cause of death in the U.S., and it is the fifth-leading cause of death for those age 65 and older. In Vermont, 298 died with Alzheimer’s in 2015, the most recent figure available.
• As the population of the U.S. ages, Alzheimer’s is becoming a more common cause of death, and it is the only top 10 cause of death that cannot be prevented, cured or even slowed.
Cost of Care
• Total national cost of caring for those with Alzheimer’s and other dementias is estimated at $277 billion (not including unpaid caregiving) in 2018, of which $186 billion is the cost to Medicare and Medicaid; out-of-pocket costs represent $60 billion of the total payments, while other costs total $30 billion.
• In Vermont, the report estimated total Medicaid costs for Americans with dementia age 65 and older is $106,000,000 for 2018. In the next seven years, that figure is expected to increase 36.1% by 2025.
• Total payments for health care, long-term care and hospice care for people with Alzheimer’s and other dementias are projected to increase to more than $1.1 trillion in 2050 (in 2018 dollars).
• In 2017, the lifetime cost of care for a person living with dementia was $341,840 – with 70 percent of this cost borne by families directly through out-of-pocket costs and the value of unpaid care.
Caregiving
• Nearly half of all caregivers (48 percent) who provide help to older adults do so for someone with Alzheimer’s or another dementia.
• Approximately two-thirds of caregivers are women, and one-third of dementia caregivers are daughters.
• Forty-one percent of caregivers have a household income of $50,000 or less.
“The diagnosis of Alzheimer’s or a related form of dementia is life-changing and leads to many questions” stated Pamela Beidler. “The Alzheimer's Association is here to offer support through every stage of the disease process. This includes in person and online education, support groups, and long term planning. We hope that you will get to know us before you need us. Give our 24/7 Helpline a call to discuss resources in your community today.”
Full text of the Facts and Figures report, including the accompanying Special Report can be viewed atalz.org/facts. For multi-media support of this year’s report, click here.
About 2018 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures
The Alzheimer's Association 2018 Alzheimer's Disease Facts and Figures report is a comprehensive compilation of national statistics and information on Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. The report conveys the impact of Alzheimer’s on individuals, families, government and the nation’s health care system. Since its 2007 inaugural release, the report has become the preeminent source covering the broad spectrum of Alzheimer’s issues. The Facts and Figures report is an official publication of the Alzheimer’s Association.
About the Alzheimer’s Association
The Alzheimer’s Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer's care, support and research. Our mission is to eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of research, to provide and enhance care and support for all affected, and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer’s®.
Source:Burlington, VT, [March 26, 2018] –www.alz.org