• Science has struggled in the face of a looming disease; 15 years ago 500,000 people had the disease. Today, 5,000,000 individuals have been diagnosed.
  • Alzheimer’s disease is a degenerative disease that attacks the brain and results in impaired memory, thinking, language and behavior. It is a specific organic condition that develops in only some human brains. It is not senility. It is not part of the normal aging process.. Alzheimer’s Disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that affects memory, judgment and social function.
  • Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia, responsible for 70% of the cases.
  • Alzheimer’s disease is the 4th leading cause of death in adults in the U.S. after heart disease, cancer, and stroke.
  • Alzheimer’s disease is the 3rd most expensive disease to treat after heart disease and cancer.
  • The National Alzheimer’s Association estimates that 6 million individuals will be afflicted by 2010 and 8.7 million by the year 2030.  U.S. Census Bureau estimates that by the year 2050, 15 million individuals will have AD.
  • In the late stages of Alzheimer’s disease, the brain shrinks and the individual becomes more withdrawn. Personality changes include anger and fear. Confusion increases and speaking turns to silence. They become more reliant on nursing staff; swallowing and breathing shut down.
  • According to U.S. Census projections, by the year 2010 the population of older adults, those over 65 years of age, will grow to a total of 86,705,000, accounting for nearly 30% of all Americans.
  • Alzheimer’s disease is a neurodegenerative disease that, in its most common form, is found in people over the age of 65. Approximately 24 million people worldwide have dementia.  The National Alzheimer’s Association estimates that 18,000 nursing homes will care for an estimated 3.2 million clients with dementia by the year 2010.
  • As our population tends to live longer – well into the 70’s, 80’s and even 90’s– it is quite clear that the number of those afflicted with Alzheimer’s will grow, creating a strain on our ability to provide adequate care.