People often ask, “What is the difference between Alzheimer’s disease and dementia?” According to the Alzheimer’s Association, dementia is a general term for memory loss and the loss of other intellectual abilities, serious enough to interfere with daily life. Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia.
Currently, there are no treatments that can prevent, delay or reverse Alzheimer's disease, but it is known that what is good for the heart is good for the brain. Therefore, eating healthy and exercising is important for brain health and may reduce risk of developing dementia and helps reduce disability in someone who has the disease. Maintaining social activities also seems to be a deterrent to the disease.
There are 5.3 million Americans with the disease, including more than 32,000 in northwest Ohio.
Every 70 seconds someone in America develops Alzheimer’s disease.
By mid-century someone will develop Alzheimer’s every 33 seconds.
Next year, in 2010, there will be nearly a half million new cases of Alzheimer’s.
It is estimated that more than 10 million family caregivers provide daily comfort and care to those living with dementia, a monetary value of $94 billion dollars annually, as 85% of those who require caregiving receive their care at home.
Alzheimer's disease is the sixth-leading cause of death overall and the fifth-leading cause of death for people age 65 and older. The direct and indirect costs of Alzheimer's and other dementias to Medicare, Medicaid and businesses amount to more than $148 billion each year.
During National Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month, note the Alzheimer’s Association is the leading expert in Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. The Northwest Ohio Chapter, serving 24 counties in northwest Ohio are available 24/7 to provide information and support by calling toll free: 1-800-272-3900 or through the website at www.alz.org/nwohio.
