Most people think of Alzheimer’s in terms of its most profound clinical effects: the memory loss, confusion, wandering off etc. Not many outside of the caregivers are cognizant of its economic implications.
I was one of those people up until recently – this was brought home with the passing of my grandmother right around the holidays and the subsequent events afterwards.
Alzheimers BY THE NUMBERS
To understand the scope of the impact you have to look at some of the numbers:
Over five million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s, with 200,000 under the age of 65.
Deaths from Alzheimer’s have increased 68 percent between 2000 and 2010
With the first of the baby boomer generation now turning 65, the U.S. population aged 65 and over is expected to double by 2030.
Caring for people with Alzheimer’s will cost all payers - Medicare, Medicaid, individuals, private insurance and HMOs -- $20 trillion over the next 40 years, enough to pay off the national debt and still send a $10,000 check to every man, woman and child in America.
In 2012, America will have spent an estimated $200 billion in direct costs for those with Alzheimer’s, including $140 billion in costs to Medicare and Medicaid.
Testimony from Harry Johns, CEO, Alzheimer’s Association, Committee on Appropriations, US House of Representatives, March 13, 2013
Alzheimer’s and dementia caregivers had $8.7 billion in additional health costs in 2011
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