According to recent estimates, between 2.4 million and 5.1 million Americans have Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Unless the disease can be effectively treated or prevented, the number of people with AD will increase significantly if current population trends continue. That’s because the risk of AD increases with age, and the U.S. population is aging. The number of people age 65 and older is expected to grow from 39 million in 2008 to 72 million in 2030, and the number of people with AD doubles for every 5-year interval beyond age 65 (National Institute on Aging). According to the Alzheimer’s Association, at least 10 million baby boomers will develop Alzheimer’s disease in their remaining lifetimes – twice as many people as the number estimated to have the disease today. An additional 4 million baby boomers will develop a related dementia, which will pose challenges similar to Alzheimer’s for them, their families, and the health and long-term care system.
Over the past 20 years or so, we have significantly increased our understanding of the biological and genetic underpinnings of this disease. In spite of this progress, however, there is currently no way to prevent the onset of AD, and drug treatments are not very effective in delaying the progression of the disease. Consequently, in addition to focusing on efforts to ultimately prevent AD, we must be equally mindful of improving the care and quality of life for those now suffering from AD, and alleviating the burden faced by the informal caregivers who provide the majority of care for their friends and family members with AD.
