Alzheimer's On The Rise

The number of Americans living with Alzheimer's disease has increased 10% in the past five years. The Alzheimer's Association estimates that more than 5 million Americans now suffer from the memory-robbing disease. In people 65 and older, 1 in 8 has the mind-destroying illness; for those over 85, the numbers are 1 in 2. Those numbers are projected to go through the roof when baby boomers reach 65 in 2011. By 2030, 7.7 million people are expected to have Alzheimer's disease, increasing to 16 million by 2050.

"Alzheimer's disease is a progressive brain disorder that gradually destroys a person's memory and ability to learn, reason, make judgments, communicate and carry out daily activities," according to information on the Alzheimer's Association website. Patients may suffer personality changes, anxiety, feelings of persecution, delusions, even hallucinations. For families, the most devastating symptom is the person's loss of recognition and shared memories. It is painful to watch someone you love gradually draw away from a family he or she no longer knows. To learn more about Alzheimer's disease and how to live with it, visit the Alzheimer's Association website.