More than 7 million U.S. adults are now living with Alzheimer’s, according to a new report from the Alzheimer's Association.
The number of U.S. adults living with Alzheimer’s disease now tops 7 million, according to a new report from the Alzheimer’s Association.
At what stage would you want to know if you had Alzheimer’s? It’s a question the Association asked more than 1,700 Americans aged 45 and older. And nearly 4 out of 5 (79%) said early — before having any symptoms or when symptoms were minor and didn’t impact their life.
9 out of 10 participants (91%) said they would take a simple diagnostic test — such as a blood biomarker test — if it were accessible.
About the same number (92%) said they would probably or definitely take a medication that could slow the progression of Alzheimer’s if diagnosed.
Elizabeth Edgerly of the Alzheimer’s Association says, “Their interest in early diagnosis and treatment highlights how important it is that we keep advancing toward diagnostic testing that is simple to administer and widely available.”
But many of those surveyed were worried about the cost of testing and whether insurance would cover future care and treatment.
The total cost of caring for people with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia is projected to hit $384 billion this year alone.
Still, the majority of survey respondents (66%) were optimistic that new treatments to prevent Alzheimer’s disease will be available soon.
Darlene Bradley, a patient and member of the Early-Stage Advisory Group, says, “The survey underscores what many of us living with Alzheimer’s believe — we want every opportunity to fight this disease and live the best life we can for as long as we can.”
Source: Alzheimer’s Association
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