2017 Alzheimer's Disease Facts and Figures

From the Alzheimer's Association:

Here are several critical statistics you'll find in Alzheimer's Association Facts and Figures:

Between 2000 and 2014, there was an 89 percent increase in deaths due to Alzheimer's. Deaths from Alzheimer's, the sixth-leading cause of death in the United States, nearly doubled during this period, while those from heart disease have declined.

More than 15 million Americans provide unpaid care for people with Alzheimer's or other dementias. In 2016, these caregivers provided an estimated 18.2 billion hours of care valued at over $230 billion.

2017 marks the first time total payments for caring for individuals with Alzheimer's or other dementias will surpass a quarter of a trillion dollars.

The information in this report is heartbreaking, but it's also a call to action for all who share our vision of a world without Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer's Disease: 2014 Facts and Figures

The Alzheimer's Association 2014 Alzheimer's Disease Facts and Figures report released this week reveals startling statistics on the ever-growing impact of Alzheimer's disease on our nation, including new information on growing death rates, the cost of the disease and the disproportionate burden of Alzheimer's disease on women.

"Despite being the nation's biggest health threat, Alzheimer's disease is still largely misunderstood. Everyone with a brain – male or female, family history or not – is at risk for Alzheimer's."
– Angela Geiger, Alzheimer's Association chief strategy officer

Unless something is done to change the course of the disease, there could be as many as 16 million Americans living with Alzheimer's in 2050, at a cost of $1.2 trillion (in current dollars). This video reveals more staggering facts from this year's report.

Alzheimer's 2013 Facts and Figures

Released today, the Alzheimer's Association 2013 Alzheimer's Disease Facts and Figures report reveals new statistics on the ever-growing weight of Alzheimer's disease on our nation. The report uncovers new information on growing death rates, the cost of the disease, and the burden placed on long-distance caregivers.

"Unfortunately today there are no Alzheimer's survivors. If you have Alzheimer's disease, you either die from it or die with it. Now we know that 1 in every 3 seniors dies with Alzheimer's disease or another dementia. Urgent, meaningful action is necessary, particularly as more and more people age into greater risk for developing a disease that has no cure and no way to slow or stop its progression," said Harry Johns, president and CEO of the Alzheimer's Association.

By 2025, the number of people 65 and older with Alzheimer's disease is estimated to reach 7.1 million – a 40 percent increase from 5 million aged 65 and older currently affected

2011 Alzheimer's Disease Facts and Figures

The Alzheimer’s Association Facts and Figures report (PDF) details the growing prevalence and escalating impact of Alzheimer’s and dementia on individuals, caregivers, families, government and the nation’s healthcare system.

Unpaid caregivers and stress
There are nearly 15 million Alzheimer’s and dementia caregivers providing 17 billion hours of unpaid care valued at $202 billion. Facts and Figures finds that caregivers not only suffer emotionally but also physically. Because of the toll of caregiving on their own health, Alzheimer’s and dementia caregivers had $7.9 billion in additional health care costs in 2010. More than 60 percent of family caregivers report high levels of stress because of the prolonged duration of caregiving and 33 percent report symptoms of depression.


Deaths from Alzheimer's disease
Alzheimer’s is the sixth-leading cause of death in the country and the only cause of death among the top 10 in the United States that cannot be prevented, cured or even slowed. Based on mortality data from 2000-2008, death rates have declined for most major diseases while deaths from Alzheimer’s disease have risen 66 percent during the same period.