New Statistics Show Alzheimer's Cases Increasing, Women Particularly
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Northwest Ohio Chapter Spring/Summer 2014 Published for our donors, volunteers, advocates www.alz.org/nwohio and friends in the Alzheimer’s community 1-800-272-3900 New statistics show Alzheimer’s cases increasing, women particularly affected Many women in Northwest Ohio may be surprised by new statistics released this Alzheimer’s Association report revealed that 15.5 million family members and year by the Alzheimer’s Association which show that women are not only more friends provided 17.7 billion hours of unpaid care in 2013 – valued at $220.2 likely to be caregivers for someone who has Alzheimer’s disease, but also are at a billion – to those with Alzheimer’s and other dementias. greater risk for developing the disease. Furthermore, the emotional stress on these caregivers is immense. Nearly 60% of The 2014 Alzheimer’s disease Facts and Figures report, issued by the Alzheimer’s caregivers for those with Alzheimer’s and dementia rated the emotional stress of Association, proves the number of Americans with Alzheimer’s disease is growing being a caregiver as high or very high, while more than one-third reported having – rapidly – with more than five million people currently, and expectations to grow symptoms of depression. Not surprisingly, this physical and emotional stress led to to 16 million people by 2050. Furthermore, one-in-nine Americans over the age of additional health care costs for these caregivers of $9.3 billion in 2013. 65 has the disease, as do one-in-three Americans 85-years-old or older. What you can do In Ohio, there has been a 12% increase in the number of people with Alzheimer’s Help yourself and your family by taking advantage of the information and services disease, while the state has also seen a 79% increase in Alzheimer’s deaths provided by the Alzheimer’s Association, Northwest Ohio Chapter. Free help is since 2000. This increased incidence of Alzheimer’s is “We are glad we are able to available 24 hours a day by calling 1-800-272-3900, or accompanied by a rising financial impact on this country. online at www.alz.org/nwohio. The Chapter offers a provide respite for families variety of services for caregivers and those diagnosed with In 2014, the direct costs to Americans caring for those with and to help support both the dementia, including respite financial assistance and two Adult Alzheimer’s will total approximately $214 billion, including Day Centers in the greater Toledo area. $150 billion in costs to Medicare and Medicaid. In fact, one individual with the disease and fifth of all Medicare spending is for people with Alzheimer’s their caregivers with our many Focus on early detection. If you are concerned about someone and other dementias. The report shows that the average per- in your family having Alzheimer’s disease, see a doctor as person Medicare spending for those with Alzheimer’s and programs and services.” soon as possible. other dementias is three times higher than for those who do Help find a cure by supporting research. Enroll in TrialMatch, a not have these diseases. clinical trial matching program, at www.alz.org/trialmatch or make a donation. If the disease is not halted, it will get worse. By 2050, Alzheimer’s disease will You can find more information on our facts and figures at www.alz.org/facts. cost Americans about $1.2 trillion, including costs in Medicare and Medicaid that will increase about 500%. The report also restates what some people often forget, namely that Alzheimer’s is a fatal disease. Deaths from other major diseases – including breast cancer, heart disease and strokes – decreased, while deaths from Alzheimer’s increased 68% during the first decade of this century. Impact on Women One of the biggest revelations of this year’s report, however, is the impact the disease is having on women, both as people with the disease and as caregivers. Of the five million Americans now with Alzheimer’s, 3.2 million – nearly two-thirds – are women. Furthermore, women in their 60’s are about twice as likely to develop Upcoming Events Alzheimer’s disease during the rest of their lives as they are to develop breast cancer. Our East Toledo Day Center Has Relocated! When it comes to those who are taking care of someone with Alzheimer’s, they are Please join us for our open house on Thursday, June 19, 4:30 - 6:00 PM to help us predominantly female. The report shows that 3 in 5 unpaid caregivers are women. celebrate our new location at 4955 Seaman Road in Oregon. Guests will be able to Furthermore, there are two-and-a-half times more women than men who provide view the new space, be a part of our ribbon cutting ceremony, and enjoy refreshments on-duty care, 24-hours-a-day, for someone with Alzheimer’s. afterwards. Another point of impact on women, both emotionally and financially, is that among women caregivers who also work, 20% have shifted from full-time to part- The Longest Day® time work because of the demands of being a caregiver. Held on Saturday, June 21, The Longest Day ® is a “Unfortunately, this is a situation we see on a daily basis in our office and among the sunrise-to-sunset team event honoring the strength, pas- participants in our Adult Day Center,” Gale Begley, Activity Director stated. “We are sion and endurance of those facing Alzheimer’s disease. glad we are able to provide respite for families and to help support both the individual Join us in recognizing these individuals by starting a team or participating in The with the disease and their caregivers with our many programs and services.” Longest Day. You and your teammates will complete approximately 16 hours of activity to raise awareness and funds for the care, support and research efforts of the Cyndi Campbell, a caregiver for her mother, understands the stresses and daily Alzheimer’s Association, Northwest Ohio Chapter. To start/join a team or for more challenges caregivers like her face. “My life is different, but it’s my choice everything information visit www.alz.org/thelongestday or call 1-800-272-3900. I do I have to make a plan for someone to care for her. I am so glad I became connected with the Alzheimer’s Association, Northwest Ohio Chapter, and I am Paint The Park Purple! comfortable leaving my mother there knowing she will be cared for. It is economical Join us Sunday, August 17 at Fifth Third Field. To purchase and there are more people around her. I so appreciate them, they are a gift.” tickets or for more information please call, 1-800-272-3900. Of course, the demands of a caregiver, male or female, are substantial. The 2 Spring/Summer 2014 Northwest Ohio Chapter News This newsletter is published by Executive Director’s Message the Alzheimer’s Association, Northwest Ohio Chapter, a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization. I am excited that Spring is finally here! We endured one of the most brutal winters in history in Northwest Ohio — Copyright by the Alzheimer’s Association, North- west Ohio Chapter, except where specifically even Toledo received national recognition as having the worst winter of any city this year. stated otherwise. Reprint permission may be requested from the chapter. As the days are longer and weather becomes warmer, we continue our Permission is hereby granted to all mission to serve those in the community affected by Alzheimer’s disease Alzheimer’s Association Chapters to excerpt and dementia. Exciting events have occurred these past few months, materials from this newsletter for use in their public information programs with proper credit including re-locating our East Toledo Adult Day Center to Oregon, to us. We would be grateful to receive a copy hosting Dr. Peter Rabins — a bestselling author on dementia caregiving, of such reprints. advocating to our elected officials in Columbus and Washington, D.C., All material in this newsletter is offered as going back in time for our Great Gatsby/Roaring 20’s Spring Gala, and information to our readers. The Alzheimer’s Association, Northwest Ohio Chapter, does not so much more! Please read through this newsletter to see what we have warrant, endorse or recommend any provider, upcoming this Spring/Summer. I hope you will join us at our Educational program or product. Conferences, events to kick-off our Walk to End Alzheimer’s, and other Correspondence should be sent to Alzheimer’s Association, Northwest Ohio Chapter, programs in your local community. 2500 N. Reynolds Rd., Toledo, OH 43615, 419-537-1999, 1-800-272-3900. We could not do all of this without your ongoing support. BOARD OF DIRECTORS Gail Doxsie I am pleased to announce our inaugural Mother’s Day and Father’s Day Tribute Campaign, a special time to honor President someone dear to you, while supporting the important work of the Alzheimer’s Association, Northwest Ohio Chapter. William Messer, Jr., Ph.D. Vice President If every one of our 20,000 supporters who receive this free newsletter returned the enclosed envelope with at least David Dimmer a $25 donation, then half a million dollars ($500,000!) would be raised to help provide our programs and services Vice President throughout our 24 county service area in Northwest Ohio, many of which are free of charge to those who need them. Dave Koenig Treasurer It is your generosity that allows us to grow and enhance the quality of lives for those we serve. Honor or remember William H. Conlisk mothers and fathers, as someone afflicted with Alzheimer’s disease or as caregivers, with a gift today.