10 Warning Signs:
How do you know if you or someone you love might
have Alzheimer’s disease? Know these warning signs. If
you have concerns, talk with your doctor.
1) Has trouble at work;
gets mixed up about long-time jobs or hobbies.
2) Has problems thinking clearly; doesn’t use common
sense; can’t make change or balance a checkbook.
3) Can’t think of the right word—a common word
used every day.
4) Begins misplacing things like mail, bills, glasses, tools.
5) Doesn’t have any interest in being active; just
sits around.
6) Changes in personality; for example, an easy-going person
gets angry often.
7) Does strange things like going outside without a coat
in freezing weather or giving money unexpectedly to strangers.
8) Cries for no reason or is sad frequently.
9) Can’t do everyday things like getting dressed alone.
10) Doesn’t recognize familiar people, places or things.
Alzheimer’s Disease Facts
(from the Alzheimer's Association):
Alzheimer’s disease
is a disease of the brain that causes a steady decline in
memory. This results in dementia–a loss of thinking,
remembering and reasoning severe enough to interfere with
everyday life. Alzheimer’s is the most common form
of dementia.
Alzheimer’s is the
fourth-leading cause of death among adults in the United
States, behind heart disease, cancer and stroke.
People age 65 and older
have a 10 percent chance of developing Alzheimer’s
disease. At age 85, that risk increases to 50 percent.
Nationally, more than 4.5
million Americans have Alzheimer’s disease. By 2050,
that number will increase to 16 million unless a treatment
or prevention is found.
Missouri faces an 18% increase
in the number of cases of Alzheimer's disease between 2000
and 2025.
The disease process typically
lasts an average of eight years, but can last as long as
20. The average lifetime cost of Alzheimer’s disease,
per person, is $174,000.
Families contribute the
bulk of care for their loved ones with Alzheimer’s
disease: the estimated value of this informal caregiving
is $257 billion – far more than the $32 billion cost
of paid home health care and the $92 billion cost of nursing
home care.
Almost 75 percent of Alzheimer’s
caregiving is done by family members. Seven in 10 people
with Alzheimer’s disease live at home. The average
annual cost of paid care for people with Alzheimer’s
disease at home is $19,000.
It is estimated that Alzheimer’s
disease cost American business $61 billion. Of that figure,
$24.6 billion is Alzheimer health care costs, and $36.5
billion is related to caregiver’s lost productivity,
absenteeism and worker replacement.
Nearly 60% of all nursing
home residents have Alzheimer’s disease or another
dementia. The average annual cost of Alzheimer nursing home
care is $64,000.
If annual research funding
of $1 billion for the next five years resulted in modest
delays in onset and slowing of progression by 2010, the
return on investment in 2015 could be as high as $13 for
each federal dollar spent on research. This type of advancement
could translate into:
--$51 billion in Medicare savings by 2015
--$10 billion in Medicaid saving by 2015
Progress in Alzheimer Research:
The investment made by Congress has paid off.
The goal of a world without Alzheimer’s is clearly within
reach. Dramatic progress has been seen in the following areas:
Diagnosis – we can now diagnose Alzheimer's
with over 90% accuracy
Genetics – we have discovered genes
involved in early-onset Alzheimer's disease and identified
the first well-confirmed susceptibility gene (APOE) as a
major risk factor for late-onset Alzheimer's.
Understanding the Disease Process –
scientists have a more detailed understanding of abnormal
protein changes involved in the death of brain cells, and
possible strategies for blocking and reversing those changes.
Prevention – There is growing evidence
suggesting that lifestyle, including maintaining a healthy
diet, remaining physically and socially active and controlling
weight and cholesterol, may help to maintain cognitive function
throughout the aging process.
Treatment – There are now five FDA
approved drug therapies, with more compounds in the pipeline
that may modify the disease process to delay the onset of
illness and extend quality of life for affected individuals
and their caregivers.
Imaging - Researchers have developed the
first compound that highlights abnormal Alzheimer protein
deposits in patients undergoing a positron emission tomography
(PET) brain scan.
An Investment of $1 billion Annually is Needed
to Build on the Progress Made
Despite the recent progress in Alzheimer's research, the underlying
cause still remains a mystery and additional work is needed
to develop better methods of treating and eventually preventing
the disease. If current federal funding for Alzheimer's research
were increased to $1 billion annually, substantial progress
can be made on the most promising leads. These resources are
needed to:
Identify New Targets for
Preventing Alzheimer’s
Identify and Understand
Risk Factors
Detect Alzheimer’s
Before it Ravages the Brain
Conduct Basic Science
Research
Alzheimer’s
Association, St. Louis Chapter Facts:
An estimated 66,000 people
have AD in the 38-county service area in eastern Missouri
and nearby Illinois served by the association. Each person
with the disease has typically has 1-3 caregivers so the
disease could impact as many as 264,000 persons in our service
area.
Eighty five cents of every
dollar contributed to the Alzheimer’s Association
directly supports local programs and services.
The Alzheimer's Association
has granted nearly $185 million in research grants since
1982. In the last five years, the St. Louis chapter alone
has donated more the $1.3 million to research—both
locally and nationally.
More than 90% of financial
support for the chapter comes from the local communities
that we serve.
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