from New England Journal of Medicine
Heart disease and cancers usually top the
list of causes of death, but neither is as
costly to this country as dementia.
Dementia is a chronic disease of aging,
characterized by progressive cognitive
decline, and includes Alzheimer’s disease.
A study appearing in the New England
Journal of Medicine estimates the
monetary cost of dementia may be more
than two hundred billion dollars a year.
The greatest cost is associated with longterm
care rather than medical services,
and those costs could double in the next
twenty-five years if the rate remains the
same and the population continues to
grow older. The study, funded by the
National Institute on Aging, provides a
clearer picture of the economic burden
caused by the disease. Researchers at the
Rand Corporation say the study
underscores the need to develop a plan to
address the growing impact of dementia.