Each year, the Alzheimer’s Association releases the Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures report


Each year, the Alzheimer’s Association releases the

Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures report

Each year, the Alzheimer’s Association releases the Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures report. This year’s report, reveals that dementia caregivers report difficulties in navigating dementia care within the U.S. health care system. Caregivers also report the stresses of caregiving. The new report estimates that nearly 7 million people age 65 and older in the U.S. are living with Alzheimer’s dementia, with the cost of care for these individuals this year projected to reach $360 billion — a $15 billion increase from a year ago. This does not include unpaid care provided by family caregivers and friends. Last year in Illinois there were 311,000 dementia family caregivers, providing 480,000,000 hours of unpaid care valued at $9,840,000,000.

Facts and Figures provides scientists, journalists and policy makers an in-depth look at the latest national and state-by-state statistics on Alzheimer’s disease prevalence, mortality, caregiving, dementia care workforce and costs of care. This report is one of the many reasons the Association is seen as the trusted leader in the fight to end Alzheimer’s and all other dementia. Facts and Figures provides evidence-based data to support our priorities on behalf of people living with dementia.

We surveyed dementia caregivers and health care workers to develop this year’s special report: Mapping a Better Future for Dementia Care Navigation. The report provides a look into dementia care navigation, which is defined as support to people living with dementia and their caregivers to overcome barriers that impact care and health outcomes.

The new report estimates that 6.9 million people age 65 and older in the U.S. are living with Alzheimer’s dementia, including 250,600 in Illinois.

In 2023, 11.5 million family and other caregivers of people living with Alzheimer’s or other dementias provided an estimated 18.4 billion hours of unpaid help. That averages out to nearly 31 hours of care per caregiver per week.

Caregivers are stressed. Coordinating care is stressful. Navigating health care is difficult, as is finding resources and support caregivers need.

Dementia caregivers would find navigation services helpful. Caregivers identified services they need: a 24/7 helpline, help coordinating care and communication between different specialists and help in understanding their care recipient’s condition.

The majority of health care workers surveyed (60%) believe that the U.S. health care system is not effectively helping patients and their families navigate dementia care.

This report affirms the importance of the work the Alzheimer’s Association is doing across the country to ensure people get access to dementia care support services — in addition to access to treatments.

About the Alzheimer’s Association®

The Alzheimer's Association is available with information and support for families as they navigate the disease and related research. For more information, visit alz.org/illinois or call the 24/7 Helpline at 800.272.3900.

Alzheimer’s Association Illinois Chapter Media Contact: Lionell Martin, lrmartin@alz.org, 773.593.4211

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