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Dementia Statistics

Table of Contents

As the prevalence of dementia continues to rise globally, understanding the scale and impact of this condition is crucial. Dementia, a collective term for several neurological disorders, significantly affects memory, cognitive functions, and social abilities, posing substantial challenges to affected individuals, their families, and healthcare systems.

This comprehensive guide offers an in-depth look at the critical statistics related to dementia. 

As we delve into these statistics, remember that you’re not alone in navigating the challenges of dementia. At LightSpring Home Care, we specialize in providing exceptional dementia care services. 

Our team of dedicated caregivers is trained to deliver personalized care, offering essential support for both the client and their family.

Don’t let the challenges of dementia overwhelm you.

Contact LightSpring Home Care today to learn more about our specialized dementia home care services and discover how we can help improve your loved one’s quality of life.

The Prevalence of Dementia

Dementia is a broad term that encompasses several neurological disorders that primarily affect memory, cognitive functions, and social abilities.

How Often Does Someone Get Diagnosed With Dementia?

There are nearly 10 million new cases of dementia each year worldwide. This equates to roughly one new case every 3 seconds. However, incidence rates can vary widely by region, age, gender, and other demographic factors.

These numbers are always evolving due to changes in medical research, diagnostic criteria, population aging, and public health initiatives.

Source: World Health Organization

How Many People Worldwide Suffer From Dementia?

As of the latest estimates, nearly 55 million people globally live with dementia. This number is predicted to increase to 78 million by 2030.

Source: Alzheimer’s Association

How Many People in the United States Suffer From Dementia?

In the United States, the Alzheimer’s Association reported in 2021 that an estimated 6.2 million Americans age 65 and older were living with Alzheimer’s dementia. Among people aged 65 and older, 10% were diagnosed with Alzheimer’s dementia.

It’s also important to remember that not all types of dementia are Alzheimer’s disease. Dementia is a general term for conditions characterized by a decline in memory, language, problem-solving, and other thinking skills that affect a person’s ability to perform everyday activities. 

Alzheimer’s is the most common cause of dementia, but there are many other conditions that can cause symptoms of dementia, including some that are reversible, such as thyroid problems and vitamin deficiencies.

Source: Alzheimer’s Association

What is the Most Common Age to Develop Dementia?

The risk of developing dementia increases with age. While it can occur in younger individuals, most people diagnosed are over 65 years of age.

Source: Alzheimer’s Association

What Gender is Most Likely to Get Dementia?

Women are somewhat more likely than men to develop Alzheimer’s disease, the most common type of dementia. However, it’s important to note that the exact reasons for this gender disparity aren’t entirely clear and may depend on a variety of factors.

The primary reason women might have a higher risk is longevity. Women, on average, live longer than men, and age is the greatest risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. As more women live into their 80s and 90s, they have more opportunities to develop and be diagnosed with these conditions.

However, some research suggests that other factors may also play a role. For example, some studies suggest that certain genes may have different effects on dementia risk in women and men. Other factors, such as hormonal influences, particularly those related to the menopause transition, may also have an impact.

Which Race is Most Likely to Get Dementia?

African Americans are about twice as likely to have Alzheimer’s or other dementias as older whites, while Hispanics are about one and one-half times as likely to have Alzheimer’s or other dementias as older whites.

Source: Alzheimer’s Association

How Many People Are Diagnosed With Dementia Each Year?

The World Health Organization calculates that there are nearly 10 million new cases of dementia each year worldwide. The number of people living with dementia was expected to triple from nearly 50 million in 2018 to 152 million by 2050 due to increasing numbers of people living into old age worldwide.

The Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI) report from 2018 had similar estimates, predicting that the number of people with dementia would increase to 74.7 million in 2030 and 131.5 million in 2050.

In the United States, it’s projected that the number of people aged 65 and older with Alzheimer’s dementia may grow to 7.1 million by 2025 (almost a 14% increase from the 2021 estimation of 6.2 million people), and to 13.8 million by 2050, barring the development of medical breakthroughs to prevent, slow, or cure Alzheimer’s disease.

Source: Alzheimer’s Association

What is the Most Common Type of Dementia?

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia, accounting for 60-80% of cases. Vascular dementia, which occurs after a stroke, is the second most common type.

Source: Alzheimer’s Association

The Mortality of Dementia

Dementia, particularly Alzheimer’s disease, is one of the leading causes of death in the United States and around the world. Alzheimer’s disease was the sixth-leading cause of death across all ages in the United States in 2020.

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

What Percentage of People Die From Dementia?

Dementia, including Alzheimer’s, is a significant contributor to mortality among the elderly. Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias were the 7th leading cause of death worldwide in 2019.

The exact percentage of people who die from dementia can be challenging to calculate because dementia is often under-reported as a cause of death. This is due to the fact that dementia is a progressive disease, and people with dementia often die from complications of the condition, such as pneumonia, rather than from dementia itself. 

However, it’s also reported that one in three seniors dies with Alzheimer’s or another dementia. This doesn’t mean they died directly from dementia, but rather that they had dementia at the time of their death.

Additionally, deaths from Alzheimer’s disease have increased significantly over the past few years. From 2000 to 2019, deaths from heart disease decreased 7.3%, while deaths from Alzheimer’s disease increased 145%.

Sources: World Health Organization (WHO), Alzheimer’s Association, and the CDC

Caring For Clients With Dementia

Providing care for clients with dementia is an endeavor that extends beyond healthcare services. It also incorporates the efforts of families, communities, and economies on a larger scale. This care, whether professional or familial, comes with significant economic and emotional costs.

How Much Does Dementia Cost Economies Globally?

The economic impact of dementia is immense and extends beyond the direct medical and care costs. The global cost of dementia was estimated to be $1 trillion in 2018. 

If dementia care were a country, it would be the 18th largest economy globally. The organization projected these costs would rise to $2 trillion by 2030 as the number of people with dementia increases.

Source: Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI)

How Much Does Dementia Cost the United States?

In the United States, dementia care carries a significant economic burden. In 2020, the total national cost of caring for people with Alzheimer’s and other dementias was projected to be $305 billion, not including unpaid caregiving. 

This figure is expected to increase to more than $1.1 trillion by 2050 as the aging population increases.

Source: Alzheimer’s Association

How Many Dementia Clients Are Cared For By Family?

Family members provide a significant portion of care for those living with dementia. In the United States, over 16 million family members and friends provided about 18.6 billion hours of unpaid care to those with Alzheimer’s and other dementias in 2020.

This unpaid care has a profound economic impact, valued at nearly $244 billion.

Source: Alzheimer’s Association

What Are the Demographics of Dementia Caregivers?

About two-thirds of caregivers are women, and one-third of dementia caregivers are daughters. Most caregivers (66%) live with the person with dementia in the community. 

Approximately one-quarter of dementia caregivers are “sandwich generation” caregivers, meaning they care not only for an aging parent but also for children under 18. Caregivers of people with dementia are likely to provide care for a longer duration than caregivers of people with other conditions. 

This extensive responsibility and the high demands of dementia caregiving can have significant physical, emotional, and financial effects on caregivers.

Source: Alzheimer’s Association

Learn More About Dementia Care From LightSpring Home Care

These statistics illuminate the significant impact of dementia on individuals, families, and societies worldwide. At LightSpring Home Care, we understand the challenges associated with caring for a loved one with dementia. Our trained and compassionate caregivers provide personalized and expert home care to improve the quality of life for both the person with dementia and their family.

From daily personal care to memory care strategies and emotional support, we can help navigate the complexities of dementia. 

Reach out to us today to learn more about our specialized dementia care services and how we can support you and your loved ones during this challenging time.

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