A recent study cited on March 19, 2013, by Selena Gordon in US News and World Report found that one-third of US seniors die while suffering from Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia.  Between 2000 and 2010, the rate of deaths from Alzheimer’s has risen 68% while deaths from other major diseases have decreased.  The report attributes these divergent changes partially to the high level of government funding for research on heart disease, AIDS, etc., compared to much lower funding for Alzheimer’s.

Ms. Gordon’s article was based on a newly published study by the Alzheimer’s Association.

The physical, emotional and financial toll on families is enormous. In 2012, more than 15 million people were Alzheimer’s caregivers. They provided more than 17 billion hours of unpaid care that the Alzheimer’s group estimated was valued at $216 billion.  And, of course, as the Baby Boomers age, the rate of Alzheimer’s and its death rate can only increase.

Nearly every American has been affected by this increasingly common disease, either through a family member or friend, and many are even serving as unpaid caregivers.  Those all-to-rare victims of this dreaded disease who own long-term care insurance have purchased a wonderful gift for their loved ones – financial resources to provide professional care and thereby reduce the emotional and physical stress of struggling to provide care themselves.