Alzheimer's Disease is a Major Health Issue for Women

Alzheimer's Association
Thursday, 28 May 1998

New Campaign Provides Information, Resources as More Women Affected

Forgetting where you left your car keys is one thing, forgetting your child's name is another. For the millions of Americans with Alzheimer's disease, confusion and memory loss are all too real.

Unfortunately, this devastating disease is increasing at an alarming rate — and particularly in women.

Alzheimer's disease currently affects four million Americans and is one of the most common chronic diseases of older people. Since the risk of Alzheimer's disease increases dramatically with advancing age, women — who have a longer life expectancy than men — are disproportionately affected. Currently, women comprise 72 percent of the U.S. population age 85 and older, and nearly one-half of this group has Alzheimer's disease.

But experts predict that the number of Americans with Alzheimer's disease will more than double by the year 2050 to 14 million — most of whom will be women.

To help women better understand Alzheimer's disease and its implications, the Alzheimer's Association is encouraging women to learn more about the disease via a national awareness initiative launched today. As part of their education effort, the Alzheimer's Association has developed a brochure titled Women and Alzheimer's Disease, which provides women with valuable information including the warning signs of the disease, treatment options and caregiver tips. In addition, a national advertising campaign that helps women better understand Alzheimer's disease will run from June through September in leading consumer magazines. A free copy of the brochure, as well as additional information about Alzheimer's disease, is available by calling the Alzheimer's Association at (800)-272-3900 or visiting its web site at www.alz.org.

"Alzheimer's disease is an extremely important women's health issue," says Steven DeKosky, MD, director of the Alzheimer's Disease Research Center at the University of Pittsburgh, and chair of the Alzheimer's Association's Medical and Scientific Advisory Council. "It currently affects women more often than men, and with the aging of the Baby Boomer generation, the number of women with Alzheimer's disease will increase dramatically."

Not only do more women suffer from Alzheimer's disease, they also provide the majority of care for individuals with the disease. Eighty percent of caregivers are women — usually the wife, daughter or daughter-in-law of the person with Alzheimer's disease. Experts agree these women often are under significant stress and need to take special care of their health too.

"Alzheimer's disease puts incredible demands and stress on the caregiver," says Teresa Radebaugh, Sc.D, deputy director of the Alzheimer's Association Ronald & Nancy Reagan Research Institute, established in 1995 to help advance Alzheimer's disease research. "In fact, the Alzheimer caregiver is often called the hidden, or second victim, of the disease."

"This is an important education initiative for us," says Thomas Kirk, association vice president of patient, family and education services. "As a leader in information and assistance for people with Alzheimer's disease, their families and caregivers, we are committed to providing current and relevant information for people who need it. We encourage all women to take the time to learn more about Alzheimer's disease."

For more information, or to contact Alzheimer's Association, see their website at: www.alz.org