An online community of nonprofit organizations in western PA

Supporting the First Ever National Alzheimer’s Plan

Alzheimers Assoc. http://www.alz.org/pa/ 24/7 Helpline: 1.800.272.3900

An Estimated 800,000 Individuals with Alzheimer’s Live Alone. 

View the 2012 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures Video! 

While Alzheimer’s imposes profound challenges on individuals and their families, for the one out of seven individuals with Alzheimer’s who live alone these challenges are even more formidable.

The 2012 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures reports that an estimated 800,000 individuals in the United States have Alzheimer’s and live alone, and up to half of these individuals do not have an identifiable caregiver. People with dementia who live alone are at greater risk of jeopardized health than those who live with others, including greater risk of missed or delayed diagnosis and increased risk for self-neglect, including malnutrition and untreated medical conditions.

Those who have Alzheimer’s and live alone are also at increased risk of wandering away from home unattended and for accidental death, possibly due to lack of recognition of harmful situations and delays in seeking medical attention. These issues are compounded by the fact that many individuals who live alone are often in denial of how serious their cognitive impairment is and refuse help from others.

“The new Facts and Figures report shows the significant impact the disease has on the individual who has Alzheimer’s and lives alone, for those who have the disease and live with their families and for all levels of government,” said Kevin Tucker, Chair of the Pennsylvania Public Policy Coalition and a board member of the Greater Pennsylvania Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association.  “This is why the Alzheimer’s Association supports federal efforts under way to create the first ever National Alzheimer’s Plan. The Alzheimer’s Association Greater Pennsylvania Chapter is actively involved in urging the creation of a Pennsylvania State Alzheimer’s plan, which will help to assess the current impact of the disease and determine what future steps as needed to support the growing number of families affected by this devastating disease.”

With the devastating impact of the Alzheimer’s crisis on individuals, families and the nation’s health care system, solving the Alzheimer’s crisis is urgent and more pressing than ever. Alzheimer’s can’t wait and neither can families.

For more information visit www.alz.org/pa or call 800.272.3900

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