New Report details the physical, emotional and financial toll of Alzheimer’s

A comprehensive and shocking new report from the Alzheimer’s Association puts in simple terms the devastating toll Alzheimer’s has on its victims, their family and the economy.

According to the 2013 Alzheimer’s disease Facts & Figures report, a third of all seniors die with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia. Not only that, Alzheimer’s is the only leading cause of death without a known way to prevent, cure or slow its progression.

Other details in the report include:

• 5 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s; if left unchecked, that number will rise to 13.8 million by 2050
• 15 million family members serve as unpaid caregivers to those with Alzheimer’s; their care is valued at more than $200 billion per year ($14.1 billion in New YorkState)
• 2013 health care costs attributable to Alzheimer’s are expected to reach $203 billion; the report says that number will balloon to $1.2 trillion by 2050

The Alzheimer’s Association encourages anyone seeking information on the care, treatment and detection of Alzheimer’s to visit their website, www.alz.org.

To read the full report, including charts and an accompanying video, click here.