Heart of America Chapter Alzheimer's Association
Search:

 

About Alzheimer's
About Us
Calendar of Events
Chapter Mission
Chapter Services
Fundraising Events
Sponsorship Opportunities
Support Groups
Ways to Help
Contact Us
En Español

Make a tax-deductible contribution now. Click here to donate.

Online Newsletter

Click here to read the current issue of Memory Matters, our Chapter newsletter. Or, if you prefer to receive the newsletter in print, click here to fill out a request form.

 

About Alzheimer's

Increase size of text:   A  A  A

home » about alzheimer's  

Alzheimer's Disease

Symptoms of Alzheimer's disease include memory loss, confusion, impaired judgment, personality changes, disorientation and loss of language skills.


A progressive degenerative brain disorder that attacks and slowly steals the mind of its victims.

A person with Alzheimer's disease will live an average of 8 years and as many as 20 years or more from the onset of symptoms.

An estimated 4.5 million Americans have Alzheimer's. The number of Americans with  Alzheimer's disease will continue to grow by 2050 the number of individuals with Alzheimer's could range from 11.3 million to 16 million.

Always fatal, Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of irreversible dementia.

People over 65 have a 1 in 10 chance of developing Alzheimer's disease; however, Alzheimer's is increasingly found in people in their 40's and 50's.

People over 85 are the fastest growing population and have a 50-50 chance of developing Alzheimer's.

More than 7 of 10 people with Alzheimer's disease live at home and almost 75% of the care of Alzheimer's patients is provided by family members. The remainder is "paid" care costing an average of $12,500 per year. Most expenses are paid out-of-pocket by the family.

Half of all nursing home residents suffer from Alzheimer's disease or related disorders. The average cost for nursing home care is $42,000 per year, but can exceed $70,000 per year in some areas of the country.

U.S. society spends at least $100 billion a year on Alzheimer's disease. Neither Medicare nor private health insurance covers the type of care most patients require.

top

Upcoming Events

»

March 12 and 19 - ABC's of Alzheimer's Disease
An overview of the disease process including how family caregivers can work with the individual experiencing the disease. 5:30-8:00 p.m. at the Shawnee County Library in Topeka. Call 785-271-1844 or for details.

»

March 13 - Memory Day
Join others who are advocating for Alzheimer's and speak to your Missouri legislators in Jefferson City. Call 913-831-3888 or for details.

»

March 27 - All About Alzheimer's Disease - Clinton, MO
Discussion will focus on general disease information including diagnosis, stages, risk factors, current treatments and interventions.6:30-8:00 p.m. at the Clinton Senior Center. Call 913-831-3888 or for details.