Alzheimer's Disease: A Major Health Issue for Women

Alzheimer's Association
Friday, 24 September 1999

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.

"Alzheimer's disease is an extremely important women's health issue," says William Thies, vice president of medical and scientific affairs for the Alzheimer's Association.

"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, 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. The disease places incredible physical and emotional demands on the caregiver. In fact, female caregivers report more anxiety and depression than male caregivers.

"Alzheimer caregivers are under significant stress," says actress and Alzheimer's Association national board member Shelley Fabares, whose mother was diagnosed with the disease in 1989. "As a former caregiver, I needed to recognize how stressful caregiving was, and take the necessary steps to manage and reduce my own stress. I needed to be concerned about my own health as well as my mother's."

The Alzheimer's Association has a brochure titled "Women and Alzheimer's Disease," which provides women with valuable information, including the warning signs of the disease and treatment options, as well as a new caregiver health tip card that provides helpful hints for Alzheimer caregivers. You can obtain a copy of the brochure and tip card by completing an online request form or by calling (800) 272-3900.

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