Alzheimer’s and Caregiver Awareness Months
This month we’re jointly recognizing Alzheimer’s Awareness and Caregiver Awareness months. When combining these two months, we acknowledge that many people with Alzheimer’s have caregivers. Recent data from the CDC estimates that more than 16 million Americans provide more than 17 billion hours of care for people with Alzheimer’s and related dementia diseases. Additionally, caregivers for people with Alzheimer’s spend more time in caregiving, with 63% of Alzheimer’s caregivers providing care for the next 5 years compared to 49% of caregivers for patients without Alzheimer’s or dementia.When discussing Alzheimer’s disease, it is important to note how it disproportionally affects people of color in the US. 18.6% of Blacks and 14% of Hispanics 65 or older have Alzheimer’s compared to 10% of White adults. People of color are also less likely to be diagnosed.As we acknowledge Alzheimer’s Awareness and Caregiver Awareness months, we should recognize the connection between the two, along with understanding how this disease disproportionally affects Americans.
Check out the links below for more information!
https://www.cdc.gov/aging/caregiving/alzheimer.htmhttps://www.alz.org/media/Documents/alzheimers-facts-and-figures.pdf