September is World Alzheimer’s Month

CONTACT
Barb Tyler, Office of Communications, (402) 471-3486;
barb.tyler@nebraska.gov

Lincoln – 'Diagnosis' is the focus for World Alzheimer's Month, stimulated by recent developments and potential breakthroughs in both dementia treatment and diagnostics. People are being encouraged to recognize the potential warning signs of dementia and to understand the importance of a timely dementia diagnosis, which will hopefully motivate concerned individuals to seek out information, advice and support, in order to challenge the stigma that surrounds this diagnosis. 

Alzheimer's disease is a type of dementia that causes problems with memory, thinking, and behavior that impedes daily functioning. It accounts for 60-80% of all dementia cases, and the rates are steadily increasing. However, with more information available, knowledge concerning the disease will lend advice and support to help people prepare for the future and adapt to the present.

In the early stages of Alzheimer's disease, persons may still be able to function independently, drive, work, and be a part of social events and activities. They may feel as though they are having memory lapses, and may have symptoms such as: 

1. Short term memory loss, including family members.
2. Problems finding words.
3. Trouble remembering new information, or the names of people who you were just introduced to.
4. Challenging tasks in social or work settings.
5. Trouble remembering material that was just read. 
6. Losing and/or misplacing a valuable, every day object.
7. Increased difficulty with planning or organizing.

The middle stage of the disease typically lasts the longest, possibly years. It requires a greater level of care and more assistance with performing everyday tasks, such as paying bills, cooking, or driving. However, many people may remember important life moments; symptoms in this stage will be noticeable and may include: 

1. Forgetfulness of events or one's own personal history.
2. Feeling withdrawn or moody, especially in socially or mentally challenging situations. 
3. Inability to recall familiar information: address, telephone number, high school or college that they graduated from. 
4. Confusion about where they are.
5. Inability to recall what day it is.
6. Inability to dress properly for an occasion, event, or season.
7. Incontinence for some individuals.
8. Changes in sleeping habits or patterns: sleeping throughout the day, and feeling restless at night. 
9. An increased risk of wandering and becoming lost. 
10. Changes in behavior and personality: suspiciousness; delusions; compulsive and repetitive behavior, such as hand-wringing or tissue shredding.

The final stage of the disease can be difficult to witness, as an individual may need around the clock care and assistance. Patients may lose the ability to respond to their environment, carry on a conversation, and control movement. As memory and cognitive skills continue to decline, individuals may experience significant personality changes; symptoms in this stage include: 

1. Forgetting recent experiences.
2. Losing awareness of their surroundings.
3. Changes in physical abilities, such as the ability to walk, sit, and swallow. 
4. Changes in mood, such as consistent paranoia, anger, aggression, confusion, and depression.
5. Increased difficulty communicating, especially regarding pain; individuals may still say words or phrases.
6. Becoming susceptible to infections, specifically pneumonia.  

Late-stage care decisions can be emotionally, financially, and physically demanding for the individual and the caregiver. Sitting down and talking with the person about their needs and wants before the disease progresses too far can alleviate additional stress on both the family/caretaker and the Alzheimer's patient. In any stage of Alzheimer's, help is available at local organizations where you can find direction, aid, and resources, that may be needed to help you cope with the challenges and symptoms of this disease. 

New data providing a deeper look into the impact of the disease on Nebraskans.  New statistics reveal the following:

• 35,000; the number of Nebraska residents aged 65 and older living with Alzheimer's
• 40,000; the estimated number of Nebraska residents living with Alzheimer's in 2025

• Percentage change: 14.3%

• 768; statewide deaths from Alzheimer's disease (2019)

• 61,000; the number of Iowa and Nebraska residents serving as unpaid family caregivers

• 51 million of total hours of unpaid care provided

• $894 million; the total value of unpaid care

The report shows that Alzheimer's and other dementias continue to significantly burden many Nebraska families. The COVID-19 pandemic was also examined in the report.  Nebraska saw 319 more deaths from Alzheimer's and dementia last year compared to the averages of the last five years, a 17.9% increase. Depression and isolation increases levels of harmful chemicals in the brain; an imbalance in these chemicals can lead to loss of brain cells. This combination increases the likelihood of Alzheimer's, along with an increase in population and life expectancy.

Additional data shows that in the United States, an estimated 6.2 million Americans age 65 and older are living with Alzheimer's dementia this year; this figure represents more than 1 in 9 people (11.3%). Two-thirds of Americans over age 65 with Alzheimer's dementia (3.8 million) are women. Deaths due to Alzheimer's between 2000 and 2019 have more than doubled, increasing 145%; 1 in 3 seniors dies from Alzheimer's or another form of dementia. 

In regard to caregiving, during the past year more than 11 million caregivers of people with Alzheimer's or other dementias provided an estimated 15.3 billion hours of unpaid care, a contribution to the nation valued at $257 billion. Nearly half of all caregivers (48%) 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.

As for the actual cost of caring for individuals with Alzheimer's, in 2021 the total payments for all individuals with Alzheimer's or other dementias is estimated at $355 billion (not including unpaid caregiving). 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 by 2050. The total lifetime cost of care for someone with dementia is estimated at $373,527.

Although the onset of Alzheimer's disease cannot yet be stopped or reversed, an early diagnosis allows the person to have an opportunity to live well with the disease for as long as possible, and to plan for the future. 

New drugs and treatments are on the horizon to battle this disease. Certain facts are indisputable; 

• Every 65 seconds, someone in the U.S. develops Alzheimer's disease. This is expected to increase to every 33 seconds.
• By 2050, nearly 14 million Americans are expected to have Alzheimer's disease.
• Around 200,000 Americans under 65 have early-onset Alzheimer's disease.
• Alzheimer's disease is the sixth leading cause of death in the U.S.
• 1 in 3 senior citizens dies with some form of dementia, including Alzheimer's disease.
• Deaths from Alzheimer's disease have increased 123% since the year 2000. During this time, all other major disease death rates decreased.
• 70% of the lifetime cost of caring for someone with dementia is borne by families.

While some memory impairment is part of the normal aging process, Alzheimer's is not. Incidence rates increase with age, and while the majority of people with this disease are age 65 and older, its impact is felt not only on those who have it, but also on their loved ones and caregivers. 

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