National Catholic Forester

National Catholic Forester 10 COST TO NATION ___________ $O]KHLPHUģVGLVHDVHLVRQHRIWKHFRVWOLHVWFKURQLFGLVHDVHVWR VRFLHW\7KHJURZLQJ$O]KHLPHUģVFULVLVLVKHOSLQJWREDQNUXSW Medicare. Ī,QWRWDOSD\PHQWVIRUKHDOWKFDUHORQJWHUPFDUHDQGKRVSLFH are estimated to be $236 billion for people with Alzheimer's and other dementias, with just under half of the costs borne by Medicare. Ī0HGLFDUHDQG0HGLFDLGDUHH[SHFWHGWRFRYHUELOOLRQRU of the total health care and long-term care payments for people with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias. Ī1HDUO\RQHLQHYHU\ŅYH0HGLFDUHGROODUVLVVSHQWRQSHRSOHZLWK Alzheimer's and other dementias. In 2050, it will be one in every three dollars. Unless something is done, in 2050, Alzheimer's is projected to cost more than $1 trillion (in 2016 dollars). Costs to Medicare will increase 7KLVGUDPDWLFULVHLQFOXGHVDQHDUO\ŅYHIROGLQFUHDVHLQ JRYHUQPHQWVSHQGLQJXQGHU0HGLFDUHDQG0HGLFDLGDQGDQHDUO\ŅYH fold increase in out-of pocket spending. FINANCIAL IMPACT ON FAMILIES ___________ $O]KHLPHUģVWDNHVDGHYDVWDWLQJWROOĠQRWMXVWRQWKRVHZLWKWKH disease, but on entire families. How much of their own money do families spend to provide for the needs of the person with Alzheimer's? Are families prepared to KDQGOHWKHŅQDQFLDOLPSDFWRI$O]KHLPHUģVGLVHDVH"%HFDXVHVWXGLHV on this important topic are scarce, the Alzheimer's Association FRPPLVVLRQHGDQDWLRQZLGHVFLHQWLŅFVXUYH\RIPRUHWKDQ Americans who were asked these questions and more. Alarmingly, the survey revealed that many care contributors had to cut back on basic necessities — such as food and medical care — for themselves and their families. They are 28% more likely than other adults to eat less or go hungry because they cannot afford $236 billion LQIRUSHRSOHZLWK Alzheimer's disease and other dementias. Total payments for health care, long-term care and hospice are estimated to be 28% more likely than non-care contributors WRVWUXJJOHZLWKKDYLQJ enough money for proper meals. Care contributors are 2016 ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE FACTS AND FIGURES continued from page 9 continued on page 14 © CAN STOCK PHOTO LEAF © CAN STOCK PHOTO MONKEYBUSINESS

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