10 Million Baby Boomers with Alzheimer's: Implications for Providers and Plans
| Learning Objectives: |
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Review and identify current available treatments for Alzheimer’s disease |
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Review treatments under investigation for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease |
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Discuss ability of U.S. health care system to cope with increasing numbers of people (baby boomers) with Alzheimer’s disease |
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Discuss impact of report predictions on family members and caregivers |
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Discuss impact of report predictions on insurers and payers |
Overview:
According to the 2008 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures published by the Alzheimer’s Association, 10 million U.S. baby boomers will develop Alzheimer’s Disease. Alzheimer’s Disease is the most common cause of dementia. Dementia is a clinical syndrome characterized by decline or loss of memory and other cognitive abilities. To be defined as dementia, the cognitive impairment must meet specific criteria and must be severe enough to interfere with daily life. Although the cause(s) are not known, experts agree that there are likely to be multiple causes rather than a singular reason one develops Alzheimer’s disease.
One underlying cause is universally accepted and it is that of advancing age. Most Americans with Alzheimer’s disease are 65 or older. One in 6 women and one in 10 men who live until the age of 55 will develop some form of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease, in their lifetime. As deaths from other causes decrease, which prolongs the average lifespan, this percentage will only increase.
People with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias have 3 times more hospital stays than their senior counterparts, and as a result their Medicare spend is also likely to be 3 times higher. Other payers are impacted, including a substantial increase in out-of-pocket costs for the patient as well as their family members and caregivers. Eventually, many people with dementia enter assisted living facilities or nursing homes where as many as 30% of the residents or more have advanced forms of dementia-related illness.
Faculty
 Anita Chopra, MD, FACP, CMD
Director, Center for Aging
Professor, Department of Medicine
UMDNJ
Program Date
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
2:15 p.m. - 3:15 p.m.
 Presentation
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