083. The true economic impact of Alzheimer's Disease

It’s here - the Alzheimer’s Association has released the 2022 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures. This annual report is released every March and serves as a statistical resource detailing the prevalence of the disease, as well as surrounding context.

Tanesha Tyler-Carr from the Alzheimer’s Association: Dallas and Northeast Texas chapter returns to the podcast to provide an overview of the 2022 statistics and important takeaways.

More than 6 million Americans are impacted, and by 2050, it’s projected to rise to 13 million.

With such a scope, the facts are undeniable: Alzheimer’s is a public health crisis that has individual, societal, and even economic implications.

Knowing that, it’s important to know how to get diagnosed and what to do if you or a loved one is affected.

Topics discussed:

-Alzheimer’s

-Mild cognitive impairment (MCI)

-Dementia

-Statistics for Alzheimer’s

-Alzheimer’s Association

-COVID-19 and Alzheimer’s

-Diagnosing Alzheimer’s

-What to do after you’re diagnosed

Takeaways from this episode:

- 11 million Americans are providing unpaid care for their loved ones that add up to 16 billion hours of care, valued at nearly $272 billion dollars.

-Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a form of dementia and about 1/3 of those diagnosed with MCI may develop Alzheimer’s-related dementia within 5 years. Many physicians consider MCI a precursor.

-If you suspect you or a loved one has dementia, go to your doctor for a referral to a specialist or geriatrician for testing and scans.

-If you’re diagnosed, don’t wait to plan for the future – it will only be more difficult if you wait until you’re in crisis mode or your abilities change.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Download Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures and the infographic:

www.alz.org/facts

How brain fitness can slow down dementia and Alzheimer's Disease

https://www.loriwilliams-seniorservices.com/aging-in-style-podcast/episode/3a1051ca/075-how-brain-fitness-slows-down-dementia-and-alzheimers-disease

10 Early Signs and Symptoms of Alzheimer’s:

https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/10_signs

Department of Disability services:

https://www.usa.gov/disability-services

Area Agencies on Aging (AAA):

https://www.hhs.texas.gov/providers/long-term-care-providers/area-agencies-aging-aaa

Table talk: