Americans living longer, but sicker - UPI.com

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Americans living longer, but sicker

Published: Nov. 19, 2010 at 11:06 PM 

Article

WASHINGTON, Nov. 19 (UPI) -- U.S. adults are living longer but they are living those years sicker, while younger adults are getting more functionally limited sooner, health officials say.

The 33rd annual report on the health status of the nation -- prepared by the secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services for the president and Congress -- says in 2007, American men could expect to live 3.5 years longer and women 1.6 years longer than they did in 1990. U.S. life expectancy is 79.9 years, about six years shorter than that of Japan, which has the highest life expectancy.

Longer life expectancy increases the risk of chronic diseases including hypertension, diabetes, end-stage renal disease, certain types of cancer, Alzheimer's disease and other dementias.

Aging is associated with increased functional limitations -- movement, vision, hearing or self-care -- but in 2007, 69 million adults ages 18 and older had movement limitations, emotional difficulty, trouble seeing or hearing, or complex activity limitation such as work or self-care limitations -- an increase from about 61 million in 1997.

Infant mortality -- a major component of overall life expectancy -- declined through 2001 and has changed little since then, but both life expectancy and infant mortality continue to lag behind levels in many other developed countries -- the United States ranks 28th in the world for infant mortality.

LIVING,MOVING MEMORIES-Breathing 4 Life's Memory: Hear My Cry’s BY: NORM MAC

LIVING,MOVING MEMORIES-Breathing 4 Life's Memory: Hear My Cry’s BY: NORM MAC: "BY:Norm Mac November 19 at 2:46am Hear My Cry’s Voice`s fading, not through age, Dementia building it`s sound proof cage, Listenin..."

Hear My Cry’s BY: NORM MAC

BY:Norm Mac 

November 19 at 2:46am

 Hear My Cry’s Voice`s fading,

 not through age, Dementia building it`s sound proof cage,

 Listening in but nothing out,

 Unable to talk but able to shout,

 Frustration runs through every bone, Feeling so empty, 

always alone, Hear me cry, silently so, One day happy, then so low, 

I`m still me, deep inside, Nothing to fear, nothing to hide,

 Unable to say what`s on my mind To those I love,

 to one so kind, Hear my cry`s, 

I’m still here See my eyes fill with tears,

 Until the day we meet again,

 And walk among the sunny glen,

 Know my heart is always yours, 

Until the closing of life`s door`s 


Best wishes,

Norrms and family xxxxxxxxxxx

LIVING,MOVING MEMORIES-Breathing 4 Life's Memory: Facebook (18) | Messages - The Association is working to enact critical legislation to address these issues.

LIVING,MOVING MEMORIES-Breathing 4 Life's Memory: Facebook (18) | Messages - The Association is working to enact critical legislation to address these issues.

Facebook (18) | Messages - The Association is working to enact critical legislation to address these issues.

The Association is working to enact critical legislation to address these issues.

Washington, D.C., 2010 –


A new report from the Alzheimer’s Association, “Changing the Trajectory of Alzheimer’s Disease: A National Imperative” shows that in the absence of disease- modifying treatments, the cumulative costs of care for people with Alzheimer’s from 2010 to 2050 will exceed $20 trillion, in today’s dollars. The report, which examines the current trajectory of Alzheimer’s based on a model developed by the Lewin Group for the Alzheimer’s Association, also shows that the number of Americans age 65 and older who have this condition will increase from the 5.1 million today to 13.5 million by mid-century.

“We know that Alzheimer’s disease is not just ‘a little memory loss’- it is a national crisis that grows worse by the day,” said Harry Johns, President and CEO of the Alzheimer’s Association. “Alzheimer’s not only poses a significant threat to millions of families, but also drives tremendous costs for government programs like Medicare and Medicaid.”

Total costs of care for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease by all payers will soar from $172 billion in 2010 to more than $1 trillion in 2050, with Medicare costs increasing more than 600 percent, from $88 billion today to $627 billion in 2050. During the same time period, Medicaid costs will soar 400 percent, from $34 billion to $178 billion. One factor driving the exploding costs by 2050 is that nearly half (48 percent) of the projected 13.5 million people with Alzheimer’s will be in the severe stage of the disease – when more expensive, intensive around-the-clock care is often necessary.


Changing the Current Trajectory
The new report is not all bad news, however, as it shows that Medicare and Medicaid can achieve dramatic savings – and lives could be significantly improved – with even incremental treatment improvements. Based on the same Lewin Group model, the report explores two alternate scenarios: one in which a disease-modifying treatment could delay the onset of Alzheimer’s by five years, and another in which a hypothetical treatment could slow the progression of this condition.


“Today, there are no treatments that can prevent, delay, slow or stop the progression of Alzheimer’s disease,” said Johns. “While the ultimate goal is a treatment that can completely prevent or cure Alzheimer’s, we can now see that even modest improvements can have a huge impact.”


Impact of a Hypothetical Treatment Delaying Onset:

A treatment breakthrough that delays the onset of Alzheimer’s by five years – similar, perhaps, to the effect of anti-cholesterol drugs on preventing heart disease –
would result in an immediate and long-lasting reduction in the number of Americans with this condition and the cost of their care. A breakthrough that delays onset by five years and begins to show its effect in 2015 would decrease the total number of Americans age 65 and older with Alzheimer’s from 5.6 million to 4 million in 2020.




Assuming the breakthrough occurred in 2015:


• The number of people age 65 and older with Alzheimer’s would be reduced by 5.8 million in 2050 – 43% of the 13.5 million Americans who would have been expected to have the condition in that year would be free of the conditions.


• In 2050, the number of people in the severe stage would also be much smaller with the treatment breakthrough – 3.5 million instead of the expected 6.5 million.


• Annual Medicare savings compared to current trends would be $33 billion in 2020 and climb to $283 billion by mid-century, while annual Medicaid savings would increase from $9 billion in 2020 to $79 billion in 2050.
Impact of Hypothetical Treatment Slowing Progression: A treatment breakthrough that slowed disease progression – much as we have managed to do with HIV/AIDS and several cancers – would result in far fewer people with Alzheimer’s disease in 2050 in the severe stage when care demands and costs are greatest. Assuming the breakthrough occurred in 2015:


• In 2020, the number of people age 65 and older with Alzheimer’s disease in the severe stage would drop from 2.4 million to 1.1 million. In 2050, the number of people in the severe stage would decline from an expected 6.5 million to 1.2 million.


• Annual Medicare savings compared to current trends would be $20 billion in 2020 and jump to $118 billion in 2050, while Medicaid savings would be $14 billion in 2020 and $62 billion in 2050.
Addressing the Chronic Underinvestment in Research
Ultimately solving the Alzheimer crisis will mean addressing the chronic underinvestment in research. This forecast of a rapidly aging population and dramatic rise in the number of Alzheimer cases in the coming years should catapult the government into action.
“Given the magnitude and the impact of this disease, the government’s response to this burgeoning crisis has been stunningly neglectful,” said Johns. “Alzheimer’s is an unfolding natural disaster. The federal government has sent a token response and has no plan. Immediate and substantial research investments are required to avoid an even more disastrous future for American families and already overwhelmed state and federal budgets,” continued Johns. “For the human effects and the country’s fiscal future, we must change the trajectory of the Alzheimer crisis.”


“The impact of Alzheimer’s disease -
both in terms of lives affected and costs of care staggering.
As government leaders contend with the best approaches to rein in Medicare and Medicaid costs, we know Alzheimer’s will place a massive strain on an already overburdened health care system,”
said Robert J. Egge, Vice President of Public Policy for the Alzheimer’s Association.

“This report highlights that while we strive for the ideal – a treatment that completely prevents or cures Alzheimer’s disease – even more modest, disease-modifying treatments would provide substantial benefits to families and contribute to the solvency of Medicare and Medicaid.”



The Association is working to enact critical legislation to address these issues.

The National Alzheimer’s Project Act creates a National Alzheimer’s Project Office and an inter-agency Advisory Council responsible for developing a national plan to overcome the Alzheimer crisis. Drawing on the expertise residing in various government agencies as well as individuals living with the disease, caregivers, providers and other stakeholders, this office would provide strategic planning and coordination for the fight against Alzheimer’s across the federal government as a whole, touching on a broad array of issues from research to care to support.
After the embargo lifts, the full text of the Alzheimer’s Association’s “Changing the Trajectory of Alzheimer’s Disease: A National Imperative” can be viewed atwww.alz.org/trajectory.
Alzheimer’s Association

--------------------------------------------
The Alzheimer's Association
is the leading voluntary health organization
in Alzheimer care, support and research.

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.
EMBARGOED FOR RELEASE UNTIL 2010 AT 10AM ET.
-----------------------------------------
CONTACT:
Toni Williams,
Alzheimer’s Association media line, 312.335.4078
ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE TO COST UNITED STATES
$20 TRILLION OVER NEXT 40 YEARS

LIVING,MOVING MEMORIES-Breathing 4 Life's Memory: Where Did You Get Those Eyes And That Brain?

LIVING,MOVING MEMORIES-Breathing 4 Life's Memory: Where Did You Get Those Eyes And That Brain?: "Where Did You Get Those Eyes And That Brain? November 16, 2010 Alzheimer's disease risk increases with maternal inheritance Adapted from El..."

Where Did You Get Those Eyes And That Brain?

Where Did You Get Those Eyes And That Brain?

November 16, 2010

Alzheimer's disease risk increases with maternal inheritance

Adapted from Elsevier

A family history of Alzheimer's disease significantly increases the risk for developing this disorder, but a new study in Biological Psychiatry suggests that which of your parents has the disease is very important.

Alzheimer's is the most common form of dementia in late-life, affecting over 5 million elderly in the United States alone. In order to develop preventative treatments, it is necessary to identify those individuals who are at highest risk for developing Alzheimer's. Although individuals with a parental history of Alzheimer's are at increased risk for developing the disease, the specific biological and genetic mechanisms accounting for this increased risk are not known.

An important consideration may be a phenomenon called genomic imprinting, where the pattern of the inherited disease differs based on whether the risk genes are inherited from the mother or the father. Imprinting is a type of epigenetic regulation, meaning that long lasting changes in gene function are produced through regulatory mechanisms rather than by altering the sequence of the DNA. In this new study, researchers set out to evaluate Alzheimer's risk in healthy, cognitively normal individuals by measuring their cerebrospinal fluid proteins, which are known to be altered in Alzheimer's. They compared individuals with a maternal or paternal history of Alzheimer's to individuals with no family history.

Only individuals whose mothers had Alzheimer's showed altered levels of a protein called amyloid, a major hallmark of Alzheimer's pathology, as well as proteins involved with oxidative stress (i.e., free radicals, which are harmful to the brain as well as the rest of the body). In contrast, individuals whose fathers had Alzheimer's and those with no family history had protein levels within normal range. "Our data indicate that adult children of mothers with Alzheimer's may be at increased risk for developing the disease," explained Dr. Lisa Mosconi, the first author on the study. "It is therefore extremely important to understand the genetic mechanisms involved in maternal transmission of Alzheimer's disease, which are currently unknown. Identifying a genetic predictor for the disease might lead to preventive treatments years before the onset of clinical symptoms."

Dr. John Krystal, Editor of Biological Psychiatry, added: "This study is very important because we are just beginning to understand the epigenetic control of particular genes. In theory, some day, one might develop a medication that reduces the risks associated with a maternal history of Alzheimer's disease."

The authors cautioned that additional follow-up research is now needed to test the usefulness of these protein measures for predictive purposes and to investigate potential susceptibility genes for Alzheimer's disease.

View all news updates for Alzheimer's disease

Disclaimer: The information provided in this section is a public service of the American Health Assistance Foundation, and should not in any way substitute for the advice of a qualified healthcare professional and is not intended to constitute medical advice. Although we take efforts to keep the medical information on our website updated, we cannot guarantee that the information on our website reflects the most up-to-date research. Please consult your physician for personalized medical advice; all medications and supplements should only be taken under medical supervision. The American Health Assistance Foundation does not endorse any medical product or therapy.

Some of the content in this section is adapted from other sources, which are clearly identified within each individual item of information.

LIVING,MOVING MEMORIES-Breathing 4 Life's Memory: Alzheimer's Association - I want to go home...A Jo...

LIVING,MOVING MEMORIES-Breathing 4 Life's Memory: Alzheimer's Association - I want to go home...A Jo...: "Alzheimer's Association - I want to go home...A Journey Through Alzheimer's

I want to go home…A
Journey Through
Alzheimer’s
A NBC4 Spe..."

Alzheimer's Association - I want to go home...A Journey Through Alzheimer's

Alzheimer's Association - I want to go home...A Journey Through Alzheimer's

I want to go home…A
Journey Through
Alzheimer’s
A NBC4 Special with Colleen Marshall

A NBC4 documentary featuring Colleen Marshall’s
personal experiences caring for someone with
Alzheimer’s disease. The documentary is featured in
November as a part of National Alzheimer’s Disease
Awareness Month.

Date Wednesday November 17th, 2010
Time 7:00pm

A NBC4 Call 4 Phone Bank will also be open during the documentary, available to answer
questions in the community about Alzheimer’s disease.

For more information please contact our
Helpline at (614) 457-6003 or (800) 272-3900

Seven stages of Alzheimer's disease

Seven stages of Alzheimer's disease

12. November 2010 04:39

Now, during Alzheimer's Awareness month, is an important time to recognize Alzheimer's and its symptoms. Alzheimer's is the most common form of dementia that has a higher risk factor with increasing age. It is a progressive disease that worsens with time. Besides the most common early symptom ofAlzheimer's, which is difficulty remembering new information, there are seven stages of Alzheimer's, according to the Alzheimer'sAssociation. It is important to track the different stages to have an understanding and be an efficient caregiver to a loved one.

Dr. Kevin O'Neil, a geriatrician and certified medical director for Brookdale Senior Living, states, "Memory changes can be related to a host of different conditions other than Alzheimer's disease, such as adverse medication effects, an under active thyroid, and even depression or anxiety. Therefore, an evaluation by a physician is a necessary first step in determining the underlying cause for memory difficulties."

"Senior moments" can happen often, but it is important to be aware when these instances turn into something more serious. If one is experiencing other types of memory loss such as becoming momentarily lost in a familiar room, is forgetting or misplacing things more frequently, or is perhaps forgetting more recent events and having trouble understanding directions, this may indicate what is called Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI). MCI may or may not be a pre-cursor to developingAlzheimer's disease or a related dementia, but should be mentioned to one's physician as a concern.

The Alzheimer's Association identifies the seven stages of Alzheimer's as such:

• Stage 1: No impairment: The person does not experience any memory problems. An interview with a medical professional does not show any evidence of symptoms.
• Stage 2: Very mild decline: The person may feel as if he or she is having memory lapses forgetting familiar words or the location of everyday objects. But no symptoms can be detected during a medical examination or by friends, family or co-workers.
• Stage 3: Mild decline: Friends, family or co-workers begin to notice difficulties. During a detailed medical interview, doctors may be able to detect problems in memory or concentration.
• Stage 4: Moderate decline (mild or early stage): At this point, a careful medical interview should be able to detect clear-cut problems, such as forgetfulness or recent events.
• Stage 5: Moderately severe decline (moderate or mid-stage): Gaps in memory and thinking are noticeable, and individuals begin to need help with day-to-day activities
• Stage 6: Severe decline (moderately severe or mid-stage): Memory continues to worsen, personality changes may take place and individuals need extensive help with daily activities.
• Stage 7: Very severe decline (Severe or late stage): In the final stage of this disease, individuals lose the ability to respond to their environment, to carry on a conversation and, eventually, to control movement. They may still say words or phrases. At this stage, individuals need help with much of their daily personal care, including eating or using the toilet. They may also lose the ability to smile, to sit without support and to hold their heads up. Reflexes become abnormal. Muscles grow rigid. Swallowing is impaired.(1)

Leeza Gibbons, media personality and founder of the Leeza Gibbons Memory Foundation, states, "This disease is unbearably cruel; taking not only the diagnosed loved one, but the entire family unravels under the stress and grief. It is imperative that we all 'own' Alzheimer's and recognize that by supporting caregivers we are offering our best efforts to help those who are afflicted. All of us at the Leeza Gibbons Memory Foundation believe that those who are forgetting should not be forgotten and no caregiver should be alone. That's why our work with Brookdale's Optimum Life is so important. We are in lock step working toward a day whenAlzheimer's can be just a memory."

If you are concerned about memory loss in oneself or a loved one, it is very important to seek the advice and evaluation of a physician. There are tests a physician can perform that can help to determine if symptoms are just "senior moments" or something more serious. There are also many reasons why someone might be experiencing changes in their memory which may not be Alzheimer's disease or early dementia, and treating these causes can clear up the memory problems.

However, early detection of Alzheimer's disease is very important. The current medications used for treatment of Alzheimer's, which help to stall the progression of the disease, have been found to be more effective the earlier in the disease process they are begun.

SOURCE Brookdale Senior Living Inc.

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