Some caregivers find themselves caring for a loved one with dementia. Dementia is defined as the loss of intellectual functions–such as thinking, remembering and reasoning–that interferes with an individual’s ability to live alone safely.
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common dementia, accounting for 50% to 70% of cases. An estimated 5.1 million Americans have AD in 2007. This number includes 4.9 million people age 65 and older. At least 200,000 individuals younger than 65 have early-onset Alzheimer’s.
Alzheimer’s and other dementias are more prevalent among the oldest adults. Estimates show that 13% of people age 65 and older, or one in eight, have Alzheimer’s disease. Nearly half of those over age 85 have Alzheimer’s disease. However, not all older people will experience memory problems or have Alzheimer’s disease or any form of dementia.
Research indicates that caring for someone with dementia is more stressful than caring for someone without dementia. When a person has dementia, family caregivers have a greater need to use community supports such as adult day care and in-home respite care, and could benefit from support groups and community educational programs.
With the number of adults age 85 and older increasing–and many of them needing family support because of dementia–communities can plan and develop ways to help these families.
