- Now, more than 5 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease and, by 2050, the number could increase to 16 million.
- Two-thirds of people with Alzheimer’s disease are women.
- Alzheimer’s disease is the 6th leading cause of death in the United States and the 5th leading cause of death of people 65 and older.
- One out of every 8 people 65 years and older has Alzheimer’s disease and half of those 85 years and older have the disease.
- Common symptoms are disturbances in memory, attention, and orientation, changes in personality, language difficulties, and impairments in gait and movement.
- From the onset of symptoms, Alzheimer’s runs its course in four to eight years, but some people live as long as 20 years with the disease.
- About four percent of the general population will be admitted to a nursing home by the age of 80, but 75 percent of people with Alzheimer’s disease will be admitted to a nursing home by the age of 80.