Alzheimer’s disease is a condition millions of Americans suffer from. As an individual ages, they become more prone to the disease and other forms of dementia. Due to the aging population of the average American, more people suffer from Alzheimer’s than at any other time.
Age of Alzheimer’s Patients
Currently 1 in 9 Americans over the age of 65 has Alzheimer’s disease. Only 4% of those with Alzheimer’s are under the age of 65. Even those between the ages of 65 and 74 only make up 15% of Alzheimer’s patients. The vast majority is made up by individuals 75 years and older.
Alzheimer’s and Gender
Women are more prone to suffering from Alzheimer’s than men. Nearly two-thirds of Americans who suffer from Alzheimer’s are women. By the age of 71, 16% of all women have Alzheimer’s compared to 11% of men.
There are several reasons why more women suffer from Alzheimer’s disease. First, women have a longer life expectancy, so in the added years of life they may develop more mental disorders. The good news is, the difference should even out as more women remain in the work force and obtain higher education levels, stimulating their brains longer than previous generations of women.
If you are caring for a loved one with dementia, Cypress offers free education and training in addition to home care services. For more information about Cypress Home Care Solutions, contact us.