What is the Global Impact of Alzheimer’s disease?

The Global Economic Impact of Dementia report states that Alzheimer’s disease is a substantial cost on the global economy.  Unfortunately, the problem is accelerating. The World Alzheimer Report 2010 provides the most current and comprehensive global picture of the economic and social costs of the illness.

The report reveals:

• The total estimated worldwide costs of dementia are US$604 billion in 2010.

• These costs account for around 1% of the world’s gross domestic product, varying from 0.24% in low income countries, to 0.35% in low middle income countries, 0.50% in high middle income countries, and 1.24% in high income countries.

• If dementia care were a country, it would be the world’s 18th largest economy, ranking between Turkey and Indonesia. If it were a company, it would be the world’s largest by annual revenue exceeding Wal-Mart (US$414 billion) and Exxon Mobil (US$311 billion).

• Costs of informal care (unpaid care provided by families and others) and the direct costs of social care (provided by community care professionals and in residential home settings) contribute similar proportions (42%) of total costs worldwide, while direct medical care costs are much lower (16%).

This is a wake-up call that Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias are the single most significant health and social crisis of the 21st century,” said Dr Daisy Acosta, Chairman of ADI. “World governments are woefully unprepared for the social and economic disruptions this disease will cause.”

Contact Senior Life Care Planning to learn more about the services we provide that are available for seniors who suffer from Alzheimer’s disease and their family caregivers.