CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) RESOURCE CENTER Read More
Add To Favorites

Economic impact of Alzheimer's sees spike

Messenger-Inquirer - 3/27/2017

March 27--For the first time in American history, money spent for Alzheimer's or other dementia treatments exceeded a quarter trillion dollars this year, according to the Alzheimer's Association.

The data, say local association officials, reveals the true economic impact that the neurodegenerative disease has on families. In Kentucky alone, says DeeAnna Esslinger, executive director of the Greater Kentucky and Southern Indiana Chapter, Medicaid costs for Alzheimer's have almost reached $700 million.

But the report, "2017 Alzheimer's Disease Facts and Figures," discusses the impact that Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia can have on caregivers and family members.

"Caring for someone with Alzheimer's or other dementias is exceptionally demanding," Esslinger said."(The) new data shows that caregivers for Alzheimer's and dementia may experienced increased difficulties and detriments to their health than caregivers for individuals with certain other conditions."

The report finds that more than one in three caregivers for people with dementia report that their health has gotten worse due to care responsibilities. That's 16 percent fewer than for caregivers of older people without dementia. Additionally, depression and anxiety are far more common among dementia caregivers.

Chapter spokesperson Kristen Becht said the association has found that individuals who are caring for those whose cognitive and memory functions are declining is straining on their own minds. It can be particularly hard, she said, for relatives.

"You're facing that person's loss of memories that you can still remember," she said. "I think it isolates you."

In Kentucky, more than 30 percent of caregivers are also caring for a child or grandchild, Becht said, only adding to the stress. The majority of Kentucky caregivers are women between the ages of 45 and 64. They spend 20 or more hours a week caring mainly for a parent or parent-in-law.

More than half of those caregivers in Kentucky, the report finds, do so for more than two years.

"It's part of the rise of dementia and Alzheimer's," Becht said. "Which is probably due to a lot of factors, like the baby-boomer generation."

What's important to know, however, she said, is that the Alzheimer's Association is here to help. The health organization provides support and research not only for patients, but for their caregivers and families. There are support organizations for both here in Owensboro, and a 24/7 help line regularly connects individuals who need help with resources that can help.

The help line number is 800-272-3900, and more information is available online at alz.org.

Austin Ramsey, 270-691-7302, aramsey@messenger-inquirer.com, Twitter: @austinrramsey

___

(c)2017 the Messenger-Inquirer (Owensboro, Ky.)

Visit the Messenger-Inquirer (Owensboro, Ky.) at www.messenger-inquirer.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Nationwide News