According to the Alzheimer's Association, 5.3 million people have Alzheimer's, and it is the seventh leading cause of death. Furthermore, there are almost 11 million unpaid Alzheimer's caregivers. According to a recent report by Alzheimer's Disease International, dementia significantly affects every social and healthcare system in the world, and The World Alzheimer Report 2010 estimates that by 2030, societal costs will increase by 85 percent.
Of course, the costs of Alzheimer's are not strictly economic, as any family who has come into contact with it will attest.
Early detection can be very important. Signs of Alzheimer's disease include:
While there are certain factors, such as age, heredity and family history, that you cannot change, there are certain factors that you might actually be able to influence when it comes to your risk of developing Alzheimer's. For example, recent studies show a strong link between head injury and Alzheimer's, so protecting your head by wearing a helmet or seat belt in suitable situations would be a good idea.
Heart health has also been linked to Alzheimer's, with the risk of developing Alzheimer's increasing along with conditions like heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, stroke and high cholesterol. The Alzheimer's Association advises working with your doctor to monitor your heart, as well as avoiding tobacco and too much alcohol. Exercise, for both the body and mind, is always a good idea.