"Alzheimer’s disease is the 2nd largest contributor to elderly death"
This week your Alzheimer's Association released the 2013 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures report, which reveals the increasing burden of Alzheimer's disease and dementia on individuals, caregivers, government and the nation's health care system. And the numbers are staggering.
Someone develops Alzheimer’s every 68 seconds. 1 out of 3 seniors in the United States who die this year has Alzheimer’s or another dementia. And 450,000 Americans will die with Alzheimer’s disease this year.
The numbers don’t stop there. This fatal disease will cost our nation an estimated $203 billion, with government programs like Medicare and Medicaid shouldering over two thirds of this cost. And those costs are expected to rise over 500% by the year 2050. All who care about our country’s financial future must care about Alzheimer’s.
But the fight against Alzheimer's extends beyond the statistics. This devastating disease touches the lives of millions of individuals whose personal stories need to be heard by elected leaders with the power to change the course of Alzheimer’s in America.
Please share your story and urge your members of Congress to make Alzheimer's a national priority now.