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Prevalence of Alzheimer's Disease in the Elderly

Alzheimer's disease is fatal and progressive form of dementia that gradually kills brain cells. Most cases of Alzheimer's are found in individuals over the age of 65, but it can be diagnosed in people as young as 30. As the number of elderly individuals increase, the prevalence of Alzheimer's within the older population has a profound effect on those who are diagnosed, their loved ones and society in general.

  1. The Facts

    • According to the Alzheimer's Association 2009 Facts and Figures report, approximately 5.1 million people age 65 and older suffer from Alzheimer's disease. Of all Americans over the age of 65, one out of every eight have Alzheimer's. The Mayo Clinic states that the rate of Alzheimer's is under 5 percent for individuals between the ages of 65 and 74; however, the rate climbs to nearly 50 percent for those age 85 and older. Because of the steady growth in the number of older Americans, the number of Alzheimer's cases will continue to increase. Because women tend to live longer than men, women are more likely to develop Alzheimer's as they age.

    Risk Factors

    • Some risk factors for developing Alzheimer's disease cannot be influenced, such as advancing age and gender. Heredity may also be a factor as the risk of developing Alzheimer's is slightly greater if an immediate family member had the disease. Other risk factors for developing Alzheimer's can be controlled. Risk factors associated with heart disease such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and high blood sugar also appear to lead to the development of dementia and Alzheimer's disease.

    Prevention

    • While there is no proven way to prevent Alzheimer's, individuals who continue to be active socially, physically and mentally as they age may have a reduced chance of developing Alzheimer's. A healthy lifestyle and exercise regimen seems to decrease the likelihood of developing Alzheimer's. Those with higher education levels also appear less likely to develop Alzheimer's when they grow older.

    Considerations

    • As of 2009, there is no way to prevent or cure Alzheimer's. As the number of cases increase, health care costs will continue to skyrocket. For individuals over 65, the number of Alzheimer's cases is expected to increase by 50 percent to reach 7.7 million in 2030. According to the Alzheimer's Association, people who suffer from Alzheimer's and other dementias require more than three times as many hospital stays as other elderly people. The total Medicare and Medicaid costs are nearly triple that of other beneficiaries.

    Timeframe

    • Alzheimer's disease usually develops slowly and can last for nearly 10 years. As the disease progresses, symptoms worsen and the disease goes through stages that can be categorized as mild, moderate or severe. A health-care professional will help patients and their loved ones understand each stage of the illness to help prepare for the future.

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