Impending Alzheimer’s Disease Epidemic

We talked about the immense physical, economic, and psychological toll Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) will take on caregivers.

Also from the newly released 2015 Alzheimer’s Disease facts, we learn AD will cost our nation dearly.

• In 2015, the direct costs to American society of caring for those with Alzheimer’s will total an estimated $226 billion, with half of the costs borne by Medicare.
• Average per-person Medicare spending for people age 65 or older with Alzheimer’s and other dementias is three times higher than for seniors without dementia. Medicaid payments are 19 times higher.
• Nearly one in every five Medicare dollars is spent on people with Alzheimer’s and other dementias. In 2050, it will be one in every three dollars.

Unless something is done, in 2050, Alzheimer’s is projected to cost over $1.1 trillion (in 2015 dollars). This dramatic rise includes a five-fold increase in government spending under Medicare and Medicaid and a nearly five-fold increase in out-of pocket spending.

This blog often correlates tragic long-term care (LTC) outcomes with Medicaid’s low nursing home reimbursement. Medicaid pays for most of our nursing home care.