Illinois Alzheimer’s Deaths On The Rise: Observations On Race, Ethnicity & Covid-19

Report shows latest Alzheimer’s statistics in Illinois and nationally
Statewide deaths attributable to Alzheimer’s and dementia spike during COVID-19

CHICAGO, IL, MARCH 2, 2021 – Findings from two national surveys appearing in the Alzheimer’s Association 2021 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures report, released today, reveal that discrimination is a barrier to Alzheimer’s and dementia care. Nearly two-thirds of Black Americans (62%) believe that medical research is biased against people of color, and only half of Black Americans (53%) trust a future cure for Alzheimer’s will be shared equally regardless of race, color or ethnicity.

The 2021 Facts and Figures report also examines the devastating impact the COVID-19 pandemic is having on people living with Alzheimer’s. According to the report, there were at least 42,000 more deaths from Alzheimer’s and other dementias in 2020 compared with averages over the previous five years – a 16% increase. In Illinois, there were 1,740 more deaths from Alzheimer’s and dementia in 2020 than compared to averages over the past five years – a 17.3% increase.

Additionally, the report provides an in-depth look at the latest national statistics on Alzheimer’s prevalence, incidence, mortality, costs of care and impact on caregivers. New disease-related statistics for Illinois revealed the following:

Prevalence, Incidence and Mortality

An estimated 6.2 million Americans age 65 and older are living with Alzheimer’s dementia in 2021.

More than 1 in 9 people (11.3%) age 65 and older has Alzheimer’s dementia.

Two-thirds of Americans over age 65 with Alzheimer’s dementia (3.8 million) are women.

Deaths due to Alzheimer’s between 2000 and 2019, has more than doubled, increasing 145%.

1 in 3 seniors dies with Alzheimer’s or another dementia.

Caregiving

In 2020, more than 11 million caregivers of people with Alzheimer’s or other dementias provided an estimated 15.3 billion hours of unpaid care, a contribution to the nation valued at $257 billion.

Nearly half of all caregivers (48%) who provide help to older adults do so for someone with Alzheimer’s or another dementia.

Approximately two-thirds of caregivers are women, and one-third of dementia caregivers are daughters.

Forty-one percent of caregivers have a household income of $50,000 or less.

Cost of Care

In 2021, total payments for all individuals with Alzheimer’s or other dementias are estimated at $355 billion (not including unpaid caregiving).

Medicare and Medicaid are expected to cover $239 billion or 67% of the total health care and long-term care payments for people with Alzheimer’s or other dementias. Out-of-pocket spending is expected to be $76 billion.

Total payments for health care, long-term care and hospice care for people with Alzheimer’s and other dementias are projected to increase to more than $1.1 trillion in 2050.

The total lifetime cost of care for someone with dementia is estimated at $373,527. Full text of the 2021 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures report, including the accompanying special report, “Race, Ethnicity and Alzheimer’s in America,” can be viewed at alz.org/facts.

About the Alzheimer’s Association Illinois Chapter:

The Alzheimer’s Association ® is the world’s leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer’s research, care and support. Our mission is to eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer’s®. For more information visit:

www.alz.org/illinois Or call our free 24/7 Helpline at 800.272.3900. ###