New Alzheimer’s Association Report:
Americans Want Early Diagnosis, Treatment and Are Open to Risk-Taking to Slow Disease Progression
– Report also provides latest statistics and information on Alzheimer’s prevalence, incidence, mortality and cost of care in North Carolina and nationally –
As the number of Americans living with Alzheimer’s disease increases to 7.2 million, nearly 4 in 5 Americans would want to know if they had Alzheimer’s disease before it impacted their lives. They also want treatment, even if it comes with risks, as long as it slows the progression of the disease. These are among the insights uncovered in the 2025 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures report released by the Alzheimer’s Association.
The 2025 Facts and Figures report provides an in-depth look at the latest national and state-by-state statistics on Alzheimer’s prevalence, mortality, dementia care workforce, costs of care and impact on caregivers.
New disease-related statistics for North Carolina revealed the following:
- Number of North Carolina residents aged 65 and older living with Alzheimer’s: 210,500, which accounts for 11.6% of adults over age 65
- Statewide deaths from Alzheimer’s disease: 4,272
- Statewide mortality rate from Alzheimer’s (per 100,000 people): 39.9%
- Number of North Carolina residents serving as unpaid family caregivers: 381,000
- Total hours of unpaid care provided: 739 million
- Total value of unpaid care: $13 billion
“This year’s report finds that the impact of Alzheimer’s on individuals and families continues to be significant. Now more than ever, we need to work to advance disease research and treatments that can slow the current trajectory and help all North Carolina families affected by Alzheimer’s and other dementia.
Katherine Lambert, Alzheimer’s Association Regional VP for NC, SC & GA
Here are the biggest takeaways from this year’s report for North Carolina:
More Americans have Alzheimer’s disease.
- An estimated 7.2 million Americans aged 65 and older have Alzheimer’s dementia, including more than 210,000 in North Carolina or 11.6% of the population.
- It is estimated that approximately 200,000 Americans under the age of 65 have younger-onset Alzheimer’s.
Deaths due to Alzheimer’s disease are increasing.
- Between 2000 and 2022, the number of deaths from Alzheimer’s disease in the U.S. more than doubled, increasing 142%, while deaths from the number-one cause of death in the U.S. (heart disease) decreased 2.1%.
- Alzheimer’s disease is the seventh leading cause of death nationally.
- In North Carolina, deaths due to Alzheimer’s have increased an alarming 147% between 2000 and 2022. There were 4,272 deaths in the state from Alzheimer’s disease in 2022.
Alzheimer’s is one of the most costly diseases for individuals, families, caregivers, and the government.
- The total cost for caring for people with Alzheimer’s and other dementias in the United States is projected to reach $384 billion in 2025. In addition, family and friends provided nearly $413 billion in unpaid care.
- In North Carolina the Medicaid costs of caring for people with Alzheimer’s are estimated at $1.8 billion.
- In 2024, the per capita Medicare spending in North Carolina on people with dementia was $28,484 for each person.
- Without new treatments and advancements in care, the total cost for caring for people living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias is projected to reach nearly $1 trillion in 2050.
Caregiver demographics, time, costs of care continue to rise.
- The total lifetime cost of care for someone with dementia is estimated at almost $400,000 with 70% of these costs borne by family caregivers in the forms of unpaid caregiving and out-of-pocket expenses.
- Sixty percent of caregivers of people with Alzheimer’s or another dementia were employed in the past year. However, many of these caregivers had to make major changes to their work schedules because of caregiving responsibilities: 57% said they had to go in late, leave early or take time off and 16% had to take a leave of absence.
A shortage of dementia care specialists and direct care workers compromises care for people living with dementia.
- In North Carolina, a 61% increase in geriatricians is needed to meet the demand of aging adults by 2050 and a 23% increase in home health and personal care aides is needed to meet the demand by 2032.
- Shortage of dementia care specialists can impact the ability for an individual to receive a timely Alzheimer’s diagnosis, thus increasing cost of care and ability to access disease modifying treatments.
An accompanying special report, American Perspectives on Early Detection of Alzheimer’s Disease in the Era of Treatment, highlights a national survey of more than 1,700 U.S. adults, aged 45 and older, examining awareness and attitudes of early detection and diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease, tests used to help diagnose Alzheimer’s and treatments that can slow progression of the disease.
Among the findings revealed in the new survey:
Americans want to know early if they have Alzheimer’s disease and want access to testing.
- Nearly 4 in 5 Americans (79%) would want to know if they had Alzheimer’s disease before having symptoms or before symptoms interfere with daily activities.
- More than 9 in 10 Americans would definitely or probably want a simple test (e.g. blood-based biomarker test) if it was available. The number one reason for wanting a simple test is to allow for earlier treatment and care.
If diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, most Americans would want medication to slow its progression and would highly value information about the disease and treatment.
- More than 9 in 10 Americans (92%) would probably or definitely want to take a medication that could slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease following an Alzheimer’s diagnosis.
- Nearly three in five Americans (58%) said they would accept a moderate or high level of risk with taking an anti-amyloid medication to slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. Nearly 1 in 4 Americans (22%) are willing to accept high risk.
Americans’ top concerns about Alzheimer’s testing are insurance coverage, accuracy and cost.
- 44% worry that insurance won’t cover future care and treatment.
- Other top concerns include test accuracy, cost, potential to lose confidence in abilities and not being allowed to do certain activities, such as driving.
Americans are optimistic that the next decade will bring new treatments to slow, prevent and even cure Alzheimer’s disease.
- Four in 5 Americans (81%) believe new treatments to stop the progression of Alzheimer’s will emerge in the next decade, and 66% believe new treatments to prevent Alzheimer’s will be available soon.
“The survey underscores the need for advancing new treatments and making early diagnosis easier and more accessible to anyone concerned about their memory and thinking. We’re encouraged that the survey finds people want to be proactive in addressing cognitive concerns. That’s a real positive because early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s offers the best opportunity for care, management and treatment of the disease.”
CHRISTINE JOHN-FULLER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ALZHEIMER’S ASSOCIATION, EASTER NORTH cAROINA CHAPTER
Full text of the 2025 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures report, including the accompanying special report, American Perspectives on Early Detection of Alzheimer’s Disease in the Era of Treatment, can be viewed at alz.org/facts.
About 2025 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures:
The Alzheimer’s Association 2025 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures report is a comprehensive compilation of national statistics and information on Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. The report conveys the impact of Alzheimer’s on individuals, families, government and the nation’s health care system. Since its 2007 inaugural release, the report has become the preeminent source covering the broad spectrum of Alzheimer’s issues. The Facts and Figures report is an official publication of the Alzheimer’s Association.
Alzheimer's Association North Carolina Blog 