Alzheimer’s Association releases grim new data about disease
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MARQUETTE -- The Alzheimer's Association recent release of their 2022 Facts and Figures report paints a grim picture when it comes to the devastating toll that the disease plays on families throughout Michigan and the rest of the country.
The report finds that there are 190,000 Michigan residents over the age of 65 who are currently living with the disease and estimates that, if trends continue, that number will jump up to 220,000 by 2025, a nearly 16% increase in the disease. The report also found that in 2019 the state had 4,467 deaths from Alzheimer's, representing a 171.4% increase from 2000.
Those statistics don't even mention the toll that Alzheimer's takes on family members. At least 466,000 Michigan residents are serving as unpaid family caregivers. That is a total of 495 million hours of unpaid care provided by family and friends, a total of $8.6 billion dollars of value.
"This new Facts and Figures report clearly outlines the burden on many Michigan families, whether it is dealing with the disease itself, or finding care for those diagnosed with it," said Jennifer Lepard, president and CEO of the Alzheimer's Association Michigan Chapter in a press release. "At the Alzheimer's Association, our mission is clear--we must continue to support all those affected by Alzheimer's and dementia with our local care and support services and continue to fund critical research."
The Alzheimer's Association is not only publishing statistics but also raising awareness to the general public, many of which have misconceptions about the difference between Alzheimer's and what is called Mild Cognitive Impairment.
The "More Than Normal Aging: Understanding Mild Cognitive Impairment" report is an examination of MCI which aims to shed light on the diagnosis, treatment and understanding of MCI in the United States, which is often confused with "just getting old."
"Mild cognitive impairment is often confused with 'normal aging,' but is not part of the typical aging process," said Maria Carrillo, Ph.D., chief science officer, Alzheimer's Association. "Distinguishing between cognitive issues resulting from normal aging, those associated with MCI and those related to MCI due to Alzheimer's disease is critical in helping individuals, their families and physicians prepare for future treatment and care."
The Alzheimer's Association estimates that up to 18% of people 60 and older have varying degrees of MCI and finds that 10% to 15% of those individuals go on to develop dementia.
"Understanding and recognizing mild cognitive impairment due to Alzheimer's disease is important because it provides an earlier opportunity to intervene in the Alzheimer's disease continuum," Carrillo said. "While currently there is no cure for Alzheimer's disease, intervening earlier offers an opportunity to better manage the disease and to potentially slow progression during a time when individuals are functioning independently and maintaining a good quality of life."
The report also touches on a topic which has been prevalent in just about every American industry: workforce shortages. The report found that Michigan, like most other states, will need to greatly increase the number of healthcare professionals to accommodate for the rising numbers of Alzheimer's cases. The report estimates that by 2050, the workforce will need to triple to keep up with the trends. As of 2018, there were nearly 71,000 home health and personal care workers in the state. By 2028, those amounts will need to go up by nearly 25% to accommodate for the rising numbers.
While the numbers look grim, that doesn't mean all hope is lost for the future. Readers are encouraged to visit www.alz.org for more information on how to donate or get involved with community projects and fundraisers.