The Alzheimer’s Association www.alz.org/ms
The Alzheimer’s Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer’s care, support and research. The organization is dedicated to finding prevention methods, treatments and an eventual cure for the disease. Alzheimer’s is a disease of the brain and the most common form of dementia. It destroys brain cells, causing problems with memory, thinking and behavior.
The Facts
- 5.4 million Americans living with Alzheimer’s
- Another American develops Alzheimer’s disease every 68 seconds. In 2050, an American will develop the disease every 33 seconds.
- Deaths from Alzheimer’s increased 66 percent between 2000 and 2008, while deaths from other major diseases, including the number one cause of death (heart disease), decreased.
- In 2012, the direct costs of caring for those with Alzheimer’s to American society will total an estimated $200 billion, including $140 billion in costs to Medicare and Medicaid.
- Alzheimer’s disease is the 6th leading cause of death in the United States and the 5th leading cause of death for those aged 65 and older.
