The Disease of Alzheimer’s 

By: Lillian J.

       Many older people forget the names of close relatives or misplace things. This type of forgetfulness is normal. However, forgetting how to reach home, having trouble with daily tasks, and repeatedly asking questions can be signs of a more serious problem. As individuals with Alzheimer's Disease continue to progress to more functional disability and cognitive impairment, the dependence on the caregiver and more expensive treatment grows. The current healthcare system relies heavily on informal unpaid caregivers, many of whom are themselves becoming more socioeconomically and medically vulnerable as the cost of healthcare grows.  

       “It started with a simple question,” says Sylvie, a 16 year-old girl living in Scotland. “One summer afternoon he [her grandfather] asked me whether I wanted a cold Sprite. Of course, I said yes, but the minutes ticked by, and there was still no sign of the promised drink. I went to investigate, and peeking into the kitchen I saw him staring at the can, puzzled. I asked him whether he was okay. He slowly shook his head and said he couldn't remember how to open it.” After her grandfather was officially diagnosed with Alzeheimer’s, he began to live with Sylvie’s grandmother until caring for him became too much, which was when he was taken to a nursing home.

       Alzheimer’s Disease is a type of dementia that destroys memory and mental functions. The brain disorder causes the brain to shrink and brain cells to die and is usually present in people over the age of 65. It is the most common cause of dementia and the number seventh cause of death in America, with a new case every 67 seconds. Not only that, but Today, more than 6 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s Disease, and that number is expected to increase to 13.8 million by 2060.

       The disease itself is not the only problem. Alzheimer's is complex, and as the intensity of the symptoms increase, so do health care costs. Alzheimer's affects more than just the individual with the disease. Over 11.3 million caregivers provide over 16 billion hours of unpaid care annually. According to the National Institute of Health, "Caring for a person with Alzheimer’s can have significant physical, emotional, and financial costs. The demands of day-to-day care, changes in family roles, and decisions about placement in a care facility are difficult." Further, people living with Alzheimer's may have at least one other chronic condition, such as heart disease, diabetes, or stroke. Alzheimer's complicates the management of these conditions, resulting in poorer health outcomes and increased health care costs. 

       In a data analysis of 338,288 Medicare beneficiaries from 2006 to 2015, it was found that patients who died with a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease had about 10.9% ($18,000) higher healthcare costs compared to patients with no diagnosis over their final eight years of life. This translated to an average annual cost of $2,101 per Medicare beneficiary diagnosed with Alzheimer’s compared with those without a dementia diagnosis. It is also important to take into account that in 2022, the estimated healthcare costs associated with Alzheimer’s treatment were about $321 billion, with costs projected to exceed $1 trillion by 2050.

       Whilst Alzheimer’s Disease contributes to a substantial economic burden to the healthcare system, it can also take a huge toll on people who may be taking care of a diagnosed individual. Alzheimer’s caregivers frequently report experiencing high levels of caregiver stress. There are ten symptoms of caregiver stress. These include: denial, anger, social withdrawal, anxiety, depression, exhaustion, sleeplessness, irritability, lack of concentration, and health problems. However, there are many ways to handle this type of stress. It could be finding support, meditating, finding personal time, or making financial and legal plans to keep track of your priorities. 

       The progressive debilitating nature of Alzheimer’s Disease and the absence of better treatments contributes to a substantial economic and societal burden on the healthcare system. With the total direct cost of care estimated to rise to over $1 trillion over the next few decades, and the expected population growth over the next several years, it is essential that the U.S. healthcare system address the underlying issue of mental and physical distress caregivers are facing, as well as increased healthcare costs for treatments that are only temporarily effective.