There is a growing number of people with dementia in the United States. About 6.9 million people in the US are living with Alzheimer’s disease. Of the total US population, more than 1 in 9 people (11.3%) aged 65 and older have Alzheimer’s. The percentage of people with Alzheimer’s increases with age: 5.3% of people aged 65 to 74, 13.8% of people aged 75 to 84, and 34.6% of people 85 and older.
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia, a progressive brain disease that slowly destroys memories and thinking skills. Alzheimer’s often starts 5, 10, or even 20 years before symptoms appear. Symptoms usually start with difficulty remembering new information. In advanced stages, symptoms include confusion, mood and behavior changes, and inability to care for oneself and perform basic life tasks.