June 3, 2019  -  Peregrine Perspective

Getting the Facts Straight for Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month

While many people are dealing with an Alzheimer’s diagnosis 365 days a year, June is dedicated to helping raise awareness for individuals who may not be as educated on the disease. The fact is, nearly half of adults 85 and over suffer from Alzheimer’s disease and 1 in 10 over the age of 65 are living with it. With such a prominent place in the senior community, it’s important for family members, loved ones, and seniors to understand the facts about Alzheimer’s disease.

Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Research

As with any other condition, every year new findings come out that help researchers understand more about the disease and how it works. The Alzheimer’s Association releases an annual report aimed at helping the nation understand the burden of this disease on individuals, caregivers and the healthcare system.

Below are just a few of the staggering statistics in the most recent report.

1. Nearly half of individuals living with Alzheimer’s go undiagnosed. Detecting Alzheimer’s and other brain diseases in the early stages is still very difficult for healthcare professionals. Oftentimes, Alzheimer’s can go undiagnosed until the disease starts to progress noticeably.
2. More than 16 million caregivers are responsible for caring for someone with Alzheimer’s. And, the majority of these caregivers are women. It’s important to raise awareness and support for the individuals suffering from the disease, as well as the family and friends who are tirelessly caring for them.
3. There are only 16% of seniors getting regular cognitive assessments during routine healthcare visits. This is a startling statistic, as these assessments are a key component in detecting Alzheimer’s and other similar diseases.
4. Alzheimer’s disease is currently the 6^th leading cause of death in the US. And the number of deaths from the disease continues to rise year after year.
5. Every 65 seconds someone in the US develops Alzheimer’s and over 65% are women. This shows how quickly the disease is becoming a leading cause of concern for older adults.

Finding Hope and Support for Alzheimer’s Disease

These statistics are startling, there’s no doubt about it. But, the goal of this annual report from the Alzheimer’s Association is not to scare individuals, but to continue raising awareness to help support early diagnosis and treatment.

People over the age of 65 typically survive an average of 4-8 years after diagnosis, but some live as long as 20 years. There is still so much researchers don’t understand about the disease. But what is certain is that with proper care and treatment, individuals suffering from Alzheimer’s can still live a full and fulfilling life. The approach to treating the disease makes all the difference. 

Supporting Seniors and Families at Peregrine Senior Living

You don’t have to face Alzheimer’s alone. Our goal is to revolutionize expectations of the aging process for our residents. Our dedicated staff works to help fulfill our unique approach to memory care. We truly believe that an Alzheimer’s diagnosis shouldn’t stop our residents from pursuing their search for purpose, validation and fulfillment. We encourage you and your loved ones to learn more about The Peregrine Way and to tour our assisted living community.