The Alzheimer’s Association released its 2020 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures report, which provides an in-depth look at the latest statistics and information on Alzheimer’s prevalence, incidence, mortality, costs of care, and impact on caregivers in the United States and in California. The statistics show that the Alzheimer’s burden in the U.S. and our state continues to grow. Here are some key takeaways from the report:
More people are living with the disease. An estimated 5.8 million Americans age 65 and older have Alzheimer’s dementia in 2020, including 690,000 people in California. The number of people with Alzheimer’s dementia in California is expected to rise to 840,000 by year 2025.
More family and friends are serving as Alzheimer’s caregivers. In California, 1.624 million caregivers provided a total of 1.849 billion hours of unpaid care, valued at a total of $24.245 billion.
Death rates from Alzheimer’s continue to climb. Deaths due to Alzheimer’s have increased an alarming 146% since 2000, while deaths for other major diseases remained flat or decreased. Alzheimer’s disease is the sixth-leading cause of death in the U.S. It’s also the fifth-leading cause of death for people 65 and older and of women of any age.
The costs are unsustainable. For the fourth consecutive year the cost of caring for individuals with Alzheimer’s is surpassing a quarter of a trillion dollars. Here in California, the Medicaid costs of caring for people with Alzheimer’s is estimated at $4.197 billion. These costs are projected to increase by 24.7% over the next 5 years. California’s per capita Medicare spending on people with dementia has reached $32,940.
Additionally, this year’s special report examines primary care physicians’ and the medical profession’s readiness to meet the growing demands for dementia care in America. A new nationwide survey finds nearly 9 in 10 primary care physicians (87%) expect to see an increase in people living with dementia during the next 5 years, but half (50%) say the medical profession is not prepared to meet this demand.
Alzheimer’s disease, a type of dementia that causes problems with memory, thinking, and behavior, often progresses slowly in stages – mild (early stage), moderate (middle stage), and severe (late stage), according to the Alzheimer’s Association. The 10 warning signs of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia include:
- Memory loss that disrupts daily life.
- Challenges in planning or solving problems.
- Difficulty completing familiar tasks at home, at work, or at leisure.
- Confusion with time or place.
- Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships.
- New problems with words in speaking or writing.
- Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps.
- Decreased or poor judgment.
- Withdrawal from work or social activities.
- Changes in mood and personality.
We at SYNERGY HomeCare of Corona, Riverside, and Anaheim Hills know that being a family caregiver is an incredibly stressful, exhausting, and demanding role. Because Alzheimer’s disease affects the parts of the brain that control thought, memory, and language, it’s extremely difficult for a person with Alzheimer’s disease to manage their health and wellness. Alzheimer’s disease is a devastating illness that severely impacts the life of your senior parent. Their ability to function decreases significantly, and their health can deteriorate drastically without proper care.
Are you able to care for your senior parent suffering from Alzheimer’s disease? If you’re finding that the demands of caring for your senior parent are affecting your life and the quality of care for your senior parent, call SYNERGY Homecare of Corona, Riverside, or Anaheim Hills. SYNERGY’s in-home caregivers are highly skilled and trained to care for your loved one living with dementia. Our in-home caregivers help to:
- Adapt your parent’s home environment to enhance safety and independence.
- Provide transportation for medical, community, and social appointments.
- Provide reminders for medication.
- Provide enhanced social activities appropriate to the needs of your parent.
- Offer meal planning and preparation to ensure good nutritional support.
- Provide personal care services including grooming, personal hygiene, and dressing.
- Help with light household tasks.
For more information about Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia, visit the Alzheimer’s Association website at alz.org.
About SYNERGY HomeCare of Anaheim Hills
SYNERGY HomeCare of Anaheim Hills is the name you can trust in Anaheim, Anaheim Hills, Yorba Linda, Tustin, Santa Ana, Orange and Placentia for personal home care. SYNERGY HomeCare of Anaheim Hills is part of a national franchise of non-medical home care offices dedicated to providing exceptional and affordable service to anyone of any age. SYNERGY HomeCare caregivers are available 365 days a year, 24 hours a day, to those in need – including seniors, expectant moms, those suffering from sports injuries and debilitating illnesses, and more. SYNERGY HomeCare of Corona & Riverside can be found online at http://www.synergyhomecare.com/agencies/ca/anaheim-hills/ca25 . The location also hosts active social media pages on Facebook and Twitter. Ken and Anna can be reached at 714- 706-1613 and [email protected] .
