Brain-health experts are working to improve detection and care for Alzheimer’s disease as new data reveal an increasing Alzheimer’s population in Georgia.
According to the Alzheimer’s Association’s Facts and Figures report, nearly 7 million Americans have the disease, with more than 188,000 affected individuals in Georgia alone.
Jill Disney, senior director of programs and services for the Alzheimer’s Association Georgia chapter, said this number is projected to double by 2060, leading to a significant impact on health care costs.
“We also know that one in three seniors dies with Alzheimer’s or another dementia, places a heavy burden on our health care system with total payments for care costing $360 billion nationwide,” Disney pointed out. “That is projected to rise to $1 trillion by 2050.”
She emphasized the effect goes beyond those diagnosed. According to the report, Georgia caregivers provided an estimated $11 billion of unpaid care for people living with Alzheimer’s and others with dementia in 2024. It is expected the number will continue to increase. Data also show a growing need for more health care professionals to meet future needs.
To address the predicted increase, Disney noted researchers are making progress in determining signs for early detection, new therapies and prescriptions, which may slow the disease or help manage symptoms. She explained a large part of the effort includes clinical trials and studies across the nation.
“The Alzheimer’s Association ‘Part the Cloud’ program has invested more than $68 million in 65 early-stage clinical trials, including one here in Georgia, that are these novel treatments to Alzheimer’s disease,” Disney outlined. “An FDA-approved drug that is being examined in folks with Alzheimer’s disease to see if it has clinical benefit.”
Experts believe in the future, Alzheimer’s will be treated using more than just medications. Other types of devices or interventions may also be used. Disney added risk reduction is a key focus for experts, with the goal of preventing the disease. Right now about one in nine people aged 65 and older have Alzheimer’s dementia.
Georgia News Connection