53 Dementia & Alzheimer's Statistics [2023]

How Common Is Dementia?

Dementia is a growing concern in the United States, affecting millions of people and their families. Recent research estimates that dementia currently affects over 6.7 million Americans, and this number is expected to grow to 13.8 million by the year 2050. This alarming rate of growth means that 1 in 3 Americans will have some form of dementia in their lifetime.

17 Key Dementia Facts & Statistics

1. More than 6 million Americans aged 65 and older are living with Alzheimer's disease, the most common form of dementia.
2. By 2050, this number is expected to nearly triple to 13.8 million.
3. Dementia is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States.
4. Women are more likely than men to develop Alzheimer's disease.
5. African Americans and Hispanics are more likely than non-Hispanic whites to develop Alzheimer's disease and other dementias.
6. The total cost of caring for people with Alzheimer's and other dementias in the United States is estimated to be $305 billion in 2020.
7. Medicare and Medicaid are expected to cover $206 billion of this cost in 2020.
8. Family members and other unpaid caregivers provide an estimated 18.6 billion hours of care to people with dementia in the United States each year.
9. In 2020, the direct costs of caring for people with Alzheimer's and other dementias will be more than twice as high as the direct costs of caring for people with heart disease and cancer combined.
10. The burden of dementia falls disproportionately on women, who make up two-thirds of all caregivers for people with dementia.
11. Nearly half of all caregivers for people with dementia report high levels of emotional stress.
12. More than one-third of caregivers for people with dementia report symptoms of depression.
13. The risk of developing Alzheimer's disease and other dementias increases with age.
14. There is currently no cure for Alzheimer's disease or other dementias.
15. Early diagnosis and intervention can improve quality of life for people with dementia and their families.
16. Research suggests that lifestyle factors such as physical activity, a healthy diet, and social engagement may help reduce the risk of developing dementia.
17. Research is ongoing to develop new treatments and interventions for Alzheimer's disease and other dementias.

Latest Dementia Prevalence: Memory Impairment and Alzheimer's Statistics in the United States

• About 1 in 9 Americans aged 45 and older have experienced some form of memory impairment.
• An estimated 5.8 million Americans are living with Alzheimer's dementia in 2020.
• In the United States, someone develops Alzheimer's every 65 seconds.
• By mid-century, someone in the United States will develop the disease every 33 seconds.
• Alzheimer's is the most common cause of dementia among older adults, accounting for about 60 to 80 percent of all cases.
• The prevalence rate of Alzheimer's disease doubles every five years beyond age 65.
• Approximately one-third of all people age 85 and older may have Alzheimer's disease.
• It is projected that by year 2050, the number of people aged 65 and older with Alzheimer’s dementia may grow to a projected 13.8 million individuals.
• One out of three seniors dies with Alzheimer's or another dementia, making it one of the leading causes of death in older adults.

Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia Statistics Across the US

• In California, an estimated 690,000 people are living with Alzheimer's disease or other dementias in 2020.
• In Texas, an estimated 400,000 people are living with Alzheimer's disease or other dementias in 2020.
• In New York, an estimated 390,000 people are living with Alzheimer's disease or other dementias in 2020.
• Florida has the highest number of seniors aged 65 and older and is also the state with the highest number of people living with Alzheimer's disease or other dementias: an estimated 580,000 individuals in 2020.
• The states with the lowest numbers of people living with Alzheimer's disease or other dementias are Alaska (6,000), North Dakota (8,000), and Vermont (9,000).
• The total number of people living with Alzheimer's disease or other dementias in the United States is projected to reach nearly 14 million by mid-century.

Projections of Americans over 65 with Alzheimer's Dementia by State

• By 2025, an estimated 7.1 million Americans aged 65 and older will have Alzheimer's dementia.
• In California, the projected number of people aged 65 and older with Alzheimer's dementia in 2025 is 840,000.
• In Texas, the projected number of people aged 65 and older with Alzheimer's dementia in 2025 is 490,000.
• In Florida, the projected number of people aged 65 and older with Alzheimer's dementia in 2025 is 720,000.
• In New York, the projected number of people aged 65 and older with Alzheimer's dementia in 2025 is 460,000.
• The states with the lowest projected numbers of people aged 65 and older with Alzheimer's dementia in 2025 are Alaska (9,000), North Dakota (11,000), and Vermont (12,000).

Prevalence of Different Types of Dementia

• Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia, accounting for 60-80% of cases.
• Vascular dementia is the second most common type, accounting for 10% of cases.
• Lewy body dementia is the third most common type, accounting for 5-10% of cases.
• Frontotemporal dementia accounts for less than 5% of cases.
• Mixed dementia, a combination of two or more types of dementia, is also possible.

Alzheimer's Disease Facts and Statistics

• In 2020, an estimated 5.8 million Americans aged 65 and older are living with Alzheimer's disease, and this number is projected to rise to 13.8 million by 2050. (Alzheimer's Association)
• In 2020, the direct costs of caring for people with Alzheimer's and other dementias will be $305 billion. (Alzheimer's Association)
• Medicare and Medicaid will cover $206 billion, or 67%, of the total cost of caring for people with Alzheimer's and other dementias in 2020. (Alzheimer's Association)
• The total number of unpaid caregivers for people with Alzheimer's and other dementias is estimated to be 16.1 million in the United States. (Alzheimer's Association)
• In 2020, the estimated lifetime cost of care for an individual with dementia is $357,000. (Alzheimer's Association)
• African Americans are about twice as likely as non-Hispanic whites to develop Alzheimer's disease and other dementias. (Alzheimer's Association)
• Hispanics are about one and a half times as likely as non-Hispanic whites to develop Alzheimer's disease and other dementias. (Alzheimer's Association)
• By 2030, the number of Hispanics with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias is expected to increase by more than 600%. (Alzheimer's Association)
• By 2050, the cost of caring for people with Alzheimer's and other dementias is projected to reach $1.1 trillion in the United States. (Alzheimer's Association)

Vascular Dementia Facts and Statistics

• Vascular dementia is the second most common type of dementia, accounting for around 10% of cases.
• The prevalence of vascular dementia increases with age and is often associated with high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and other cardiovascular risk factors.
• Symptoms of vascular dementia can include confusion, disorientation, trouble speaking or understanding speech, and difficulty with memory and attention.
• There is currently no cure for vascular dementia, but treatment may help manage symptoms and slow the progression of the disease.
• According to the Alzheimer's Association, an estimated 150,000 Americans die from vascular dementia each year.
• A study published in the journal Stroke found that stroke survivors are more than twice as likely to develop dementia compared to people who have not had a stroke.
• Another study published in the Journal of Neurology found that women may be at higher risk for developing vascular dementia compared to men.

Lewy Body Dementia Facts and Statistics

• Lewy body dementia is the third most common type of dementia, accounting for 5-10% of cases.
• Lewy body dementia affects an estimated 1.4 million people in the United States. (Lewy Body Dementia Association)
• The average age of onset for Lewy body dementia is 60 years old. (Mayo Clinic)
• Lewy body dementia can be difficult to diagnose because it shares symptoms with other neurological disorders, such as Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease. (National Institute on Aging)
• Symptoms of Lewy body dementia can include visual hallucinations, movement disorders, cognitive impairment, and fluctuations in alertness and attention. (Lewy Body Dementia Association)
• There is currently no cure for Lewy body dementia, but treatment may help manage symptoms and improve quality of life. (Mayo Clinic)

Frontotemporal Dementia Facts and Statistics

• Frontotemporal dementia accounts for less than 5% of all dementia cases.
• It is more common in people aged 45-64, although it can occur at any age.
• The disease affects the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain, which are responsible for behavior, language, and personality.
• Symptoms of frontotemporal dementia can include changes in social behavior and personality, difficulty with language and speech, and loss of inhibitions.
• There is currently no cure for frontotemporal dementia, but treatment may help manage symptoms and improve quality of life.

Mixed Dementia Facts and Statistics

• Mixed dementia is a combination of two or more types of dementia.
• It is estimated that about 10% of people with dementia have mixed dementia.
• The most common combination is Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia.
• People with mixed dementia may experience a mix of symptoms from the different types of dementia they have.
• There is currently no cure for mixed dementia, but treatment may help manage symptoms and improve quality of life.

Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia: Who is at risk?

• Women are more likely than men to develop Alzheimer's disease. (Alzheimer's Association)
• African Americans and Hispanics are more likely than non-Hispanic whites to develop Alzheimer's disease and other dementias. (Alzheimer's Association)
• By 2030, the number of Hispanics with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias is expected to increase by more than 600%. (Alzheimer's Association)
• People with Down syndrome are at a higher risk of developing dementia. (National Institute on Aging)

Dementia Mortality Rate: A Leading Cause of Death Worldwide

• Dementia is a leading cause of death worldwide.
• According to the World Health Organization (WHO), dementia is responsible for an estimated 10% of all deaths among people aged 70 and older.
• In the United States, Alzheimer's disease is currently the sixth leading cause of death overall. However, some experts believe that Alzheimer's may actually be the third leading cause of death, after heart disease and cancer, but is often not listed as the underlying cause of death on death certificates.
• The mortality rate for dementia varies depending on age and other factors. According to a study published in JAMA Neurology, the mortality rate for Alzheimer's disease was highest among people aged 85 and older, with a rate of 2,707 deaths per 100,000 person-years.
• Another study published in Alzheimer's & Dementia found that the mortality rate for dementia increased significantly between 2000 and 2017 in high-income countries, such as the United States and Canada.

The Cost of Caring for Alzheimer's and Other Dementias in the US

• In 2020, the total cost to the nation of caring for people with Alzheimer's and other dementias is estimated to be $305 billion. (Alzheimer's Association)
• By 2050, the cost of caring for people with Alzheimer's and other dementias is projected to reach $1.1 trillion in the United States. (Alzheimer's Association)
• The lifetime cost of care for an individual with dementia is estimated to be $357,000. (Alzheimer's Association)

Conclusion

Dementia is a devastating disease that affects millions of people worldwide. Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia and has a significant impact on individuals, families, and society as a whole. Despite ongoing research efforts, there is currently no cure for dementia, but treatments are available to manage symptoms and improve quality of life.

The cost of caring for people with dementia is staggering and is projected to continue rising in the coming years. More resources are needed to support individuals with dementia and their caregivers, as well as to fund research into new treatments and potential cures.

It is essential to raise awareness about the impact of dementia on individuals and society as a whole so that we can work together to find solutions and support those affected by this devastating disease.

Sources

• Alzheimer's Association. (2020). 2020 Alzheimer's disease facts and figures.
• Alzheimer's Association. (2018). Changing the trajectory of Alzheimer’s disease: How a treatment by 2025 saves lives and dollars.
• Alzheimer's Association. (2020). State and National Statistics. https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/facts-figures
• Hebert LE et al. (2013). Alzheimer Disease in the United States (2010–2050) Estimated Using the 2010 Census. Neurology.
• "Mixed Dementia." Alzheimer's Association.
• Lewy Body Dementia Association
• Alzheimer's Association. (n.d.). What Is Vascular Dementia?
• Gorelick PB et al. (2011). Vascular Contributions to Cognitive Impairment and Dementia: A Statement for Healthcare Professionals From the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association.
• Kalaria RN et al. (2008). Vascular Dementia - A Radical Re-think Needed.
• Alzheimer's Association. 2020 Alzheimer's Disease Facts and Figures. 2020.
• National Institute on Aging. Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias. Accessed October 20, 2020.
• "Types of Dementia" by Alzheimer's Association
• "What Are the Different Types of Dementia?" by Healthline