Facts About Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s is a neurodegenerative disease where symptoms of dementia gradually increase and intensify over the years, making it difficult for seniors to live out their normal daily lives. Alzheimer’s affects more than 7 million people in the United States and has become an increasingly common concern for the medical field and caregivers to manage.

Stacks of yellow and blue 3D letters spell out Alzheimer repeatedly, with Alzheim in blue standing out among the yellow—suggesting how Minnesota elder law or Medicaid planning can help bring clarity to families affected by Alzheimer's.

Alzheimer’s Facts

Here are the most up-to-date* facts on the advanced disease:

  • Alzheimer’s is the 6th* leading cause of death in the United States.
  • Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia, accounting for 60% to 80% of cases.
  • By 2050, the number of people aged 65 and older with Alzheimer’s dementia is projected to reach 13.8 million.
  • 1 in 3 seniors dies with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia.
  • Family members and friends provided nearly 19 billion hours* of unpaid care valued at $413 billion* to people with Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases in 2024.
  • In America, 12 million* people in total provide unpaid care for people with Alzheimer’s and other dementias.
  • In 2025, the total national health and long-term care cost of caring for people with Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases is projected to reach $384 billion. This does not include the cost of unpaid care. This number could jump as high as $1 trillion by 2050*.
  • 82% of primary care physicians say they are on the front lines of providing dementia care.
  • Alzheimer’s takes the lives of more people than breast cancer and prostate cancer combined.
  • 50% of primary care physicians believe the medical profession is not ready for the growing number of people with Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases.

*Updated June 2025

Related Blog Posts

Work With Us

Fill out the form with your details, and our intake coordinator will contact you to arrange a meeting.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Name(Required)
Email Address
Phone Number
Preferred Method of Contact
Best Time to Reach You
I'm interested in...
How did you hear about us?

Sign Up

Your information is confidential and will be used to respond to your inquiry. By submitting this form, you agree to receive communications including calls, texts, emails, and/or prerecorded messages from Everbright Legacy Law. For more information, see our Privacy Policy.