The Cost of Alzheimer’s: Economic and Emotional Burdens

Caring for a person with Alzheimer’s disease provides profound insights into the emotional, physical, and financial challenges that this debilitating condition imposes on both the individual living with the disease and their caregivers.

Financially, the burden can be substantial, with costs associated with medical care, specialized services, and potential loss of income due to caregiving responsibilities. As a result, families may find themselves facing tough decisions about long-term care options and resources, which can exacerbate their emotional strain.

Did you know? 

• Prevalence: Approximately 6.7 million Americans aged 65 and older are living with Alzheimer’s disease as of 2023, a number projected to increase to 14 million by 2060.¹
• Economic Impact: The total cost of caring for individuals with Alzheimer’s and other dementias is expected to reach nearly $1 trillion by 2050.¹
• Family Impact & Caregivers: More than 11 million Americans provide unpaid care for people with Alzheimer’s or other dementias, with caregivers providing an estimated 18.5 billion hours of care valued at nearly $368 billion.¹
• Gender Disparity: Approximately 2.7 million men and 4 million women aged 65 and older are living with Alzheimer’s, indicating that women are significantly more likely to be diagnosed.¹

With all of these factors at play, it is clear that planning is an essential part of the process. 

Useful Resources

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1. Alzheimer’s Association. (2023). 2023 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures. Alzheimer’s & Dementia, 19(1), 1-86. https://doi.org/10.1002/alz.12638