Alzheimer ’ s Disease and Mission
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Alzheimer ’ s Disease and Mission
Alzheimer ’ s Disease ( AD ) may be the greatest threat to the future of long term , post-acute services and supports . Beyond the societal and direct impact of AD to people and their families , the Alzheimer ’ s Association says that the fiscal impact makes it one of the costliest conditions today and the impact on the national economy has the potential to become unmanageable by the middle of the century . While challenging , the issue presents an opportunity to organizations that accept the challenge as part of their ongoing missions .
Some basic facts to consider from the Alzheimer ’ s Association ( www . alz . org / facts /):
• Currently , 5.5 million Americans are living with AD , by 2050 this number could rise to 16 million . Of the 5.5 million , 5.3 million are age 65 plus and almost two-thirds are woman .
• AD is currently the sixth leading cause of death among those 65 or older .
• Every 66 seconds someone in the US develops AD and by mid-century it will happen every 33 seconds .
• Currently , one in three seniors have AD or other dementias .
• Since 2000 , deaths from AD have increased by 89 %.
• Total payments in 2017 for all individuals with Alzheimer ’ s or other dementias are estimated at $ 259 billion . Medicare and Medicaid are expected to cover $ 175 billion , or 67 percent , of the total health care and long term care payments for people with Alzheimer ’ s or other dementias . Out-of-pocket spending is expected to be $ 56 billion .
• By 2050 , the cost could rise to as much as $ 1.1 trillion .
• Today , 15 million Americans provide unpaid care for people with AD . One-quarter of the care givers are from the “ sandwich generation ” meaning they are caring for parents and their own children under 18 . In 2016 , these caregivers provided an estimated 18.2 billion hours of care , valued at more than $ 230 billion .
This issue of LeadingAge New York Adviser explores some topics for thought around Alzheimer ’ s Disease and other dementias in articles submitted by the Coalition of NYS Alzheimer ’ s Association Chapters , Teepa Snow and the Hospice and Palliative Care Association of New York . Taking on the challenge as part of their mission , Peconic Landing shares its story of new construction to embrace the ever-increasing need in this area . Beverwyck resident , Janet T ( JJ ) Lijeron , rounds out the center spread with two profound poems offering a glimpse into a caregiver ’ s perspective and that of a resident coming to terms with her move to assisted living .
LeadingAge New York is your resource for new and innovative approaches to caring for people with dementia . Access to the latest information about current and future opportunities , can help you adapt your mission to provide memory care long into the future . If you would like to hear more about this and many other topics you face every day , join us at our Annual Conference in Saratoga Springs , May 22 -24 . For specific information about the stories in this issue or to discuss future Adviser ideas , contact Kristen Myers at kmyers @ leadingageny . org .
As always , thank you to all of the members who contributed material for this issue and to the businesses who support Adviser with their advertising and educational contributions .
Sincerely ,
James W . Clyne Jr . President and CEO
3 Adviser a publication of LeadingAge New York | Spring 2017