A new report has estimated that about 6.9 million older Americans will have Alzheimer’s in 2024, According to the Alzheimer’s Association’s annual facts and figures report released on Wednesday, March 20, 2024, another 5 million to 7 million individuals have mild cognitive impairment, a set of early impairments to memory and thinking linked to Alzheimer’s [1].
The report also includes positive news. Other studies show that dementia rates have decreased over the last 25 years as more adults pursue greater levels of education, keep active and exercise, lower their blood pressure, quit smoking, and maintain social engagement.
Adults have an increased likelihood of acquiring Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia as they age, and the number of Americans 65 and older is expected to increase from 58 million in 2022 to 82 million in 2050. The youngest baby boomers will be 65 years old in just six years.
The aging population of the country will pose significant social and economic problems. According to the estimate, the yearly cost of caring for persons with dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease, would reach $360 billion in 2024, an increase of $15 billion from the previous year.
This year, Medicare and Medicaid will spend $231 billion to care for patients with Alzheimer’s and dementia. According to the estimate, public and private spending on dementia and Alzheimer’s patient care would soar to almost $1 trillion by 2050.
Lifestyle modifications can minimize the risk.
Dr. Keith Vossel, a neurologist and director of the Mary S. Easton Center for Alzheimer’s Research and Care at the University of California, Los Angeles, stated that lifestyle changes can prevent up to 40% of dementia cases.
According to Vossel, those who frequently work out, abstain from smoking, and have greater levels of education are often less vulnerable. According to him, lowering blood pressure, especially during midlife, is associated with a lower risk.
It is particularly crucial to monitor increased blood pressure. Lowering blood pressure in middle-aged individuals with high blood pressure can reduce the risk of dementia or mild cognitive impairment in the future.
Caregivers devote 31 hours a week to Alzheimer’s and dementia patients.
Families and other caregivers do a variety of duties, such as making appointments, feeding, and tending to the needs of individuals suffering from dementia or Alzheimer’s. According to the report, 11.5 million family members and caregivers gave more than 18 million hours of unpaid care in the previous year.
For those who cared for someone with Alzheimer’s or dementia, that equated to a full-time job, with an average of approximately 31 hours per week spent on the task.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services will begin a program in July aimed at enhancing the quality of life for those who have dementia. This program will allow these individuals to stay in their homes and lessen the burden on unpaid caregivers. The Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience model will offer round-the-clock assistance and care coordination [2]. Additionally, families have access to care navigators, who may put patients and caregivers in touch with resources and assistance. Medicare will pay participating physicians and clinics a monthly fee per patient.
According to Sam Fazio, the Alzheimer Association’s senior director of quality care and psychosocial research, access to navigators is critical because the report found that families are under a lot of stress and that field workers believe the health care system lacks the resources to help people with dementia.
Old target, new medications
Only two of the eight medications approved for use in treating Alzheimer’s patients attempt to combat the illness and halt memory and cognitive deterioration. One of those medications, aducanumab (marketed as Aduhelm), has been discontinued by Biogen. The Food and Drug Administration approved it despite its inconsistent clinical trial outcomes. Biogen faced harsh criticism when it launched Aduhelm, initially priced at $56,000.
Eisai received FDA approval for its amyloid beta-busting medication, lecanemab, in January 2023. The medicine, sold under the brand name Leqembi, is meant for patients in the early stages of the condition, which was the focus of clinical testing.
According to the Alzheimer’s Association report, lecanemab’s short-term advantages might be insignificant because its goal is to halt the progression of the disease rather than to reverse cognitive deterioration. The report stated that the drug’s long-term effects remain unknown.
The FDA postponed action on Eli Lilly’s drug donanemab earlier this month, the drug manufacturer said. The FDA intends to form an advisory committee to discuss the treatment.
All three amyloid-removing medicines in clinical trials had obvious side effects on brain scans, such as brain swelling and bleeding. Some patients exhibited no symptoms. Others have reported experiencing headaches, nausea, dizziness, and vision changes.
The report notes that while pharmaceutical companies have primarily concentrated on developing medications that target and remove amyloid from Alzheimer’s patient’s brains, other research is looking into alternative strategies for combating the illness. According to the report, researchers are investigating further possible medications to reduce inflammation, damaged cell metabolism, tau protein buildup, and harmful oxygen molecule destruction.
Alzheimer’s Research Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping caregivers of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. We provide the latest information and news about the illness and helpful tips to help caregivers cope with their daily caregiving challenges. We realize the most important thing that a caregiver needs is financial assistance. Therefore, we provide grants to caregivers to ease their financial burden. Caregivers can apply for grants here: Alzheimer’s Grant Application.
You can also help caregivers in their endeavor by donating as much as possible: Donation To Alzheimer’s Research Associations.
