Alabama
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Support Implementation and Updates to the State Alzheimer’s Plan
Alabama published a State Alzheimer’s Plan after discussions with multiple stakeholders to outline how the state can address Alzheimer’s. The Alzheimer’s Association is calling on state leaders to continue to prioritize regular updates and implementation to the State Alzheimer’s Plan to support people with dementia and their family caregiver. Alabama must focus on addressing Alzheimer’s as a public health crisis; building a dementia capable workforce; increasing access to home and community-based services; and improving the quality of care in residential settings.
Prioritize Long-Term Care in the Response to COVID-19
The pandemic has exposed gaps in the provision of long-term care (LTC) in Alabama. As the state continues its response, the Alzheimer’s Association is urging state policymakers to prioritize LTC, focusing on testing; reporting; surge activation; and providing support. This includes providing LTC communities with access to rapid testing and personal protective equipment (PPE) so residents and their families can safely reunite, as well as ensuring that outbreaks are reported and that long-term care is included in the state’s emergency preparedness and response plans.
Alabama State Plan Overview
In May 2012, the Alabama Alzheimer's Disease Task Force was established (Alabama House Joint Resolution 433). The Task Force was charged with assessing the impact of Alzheimer's disease, examining the existing service delivery system, and developing strategies to respond to this crisis within the state. The Task Force included representatives from state agencies, healthcare organizations, and community organizations as well as state legislators, caregivers, researchers, and individuals living with the disease. In April 2015, the State Plan for Alzheimer's Disease and Other Related Dementias in Alabama was published.
Alabama State Advocacy Day
Use your voice to support people with Alzheimer’s and urge state lawmakers to support people with dementia and their families. Sign up to be an advocate and receive information on future state advocacy opportunities.
Sign Up to Learn More About Advocacy Opportunities in Alabama
State Affairs Contact Lisa Holman | | [email protected]
Number of People Aged 65 and Older With Alzheimer's by Age
| Year | 65-74 | 75-84 | 85+ | TOTAL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 16,000 | 43,000 | 37,000 | 96,000 |
| 2025 | 18,000 | 52,000 | 41,000 | 110,000 |
Percentage change from 2020
Medicaid
$925
MILLION
Medicaid costs of caring for people with Alzheimer's (2020)
21.8%
change in costs from 2020 to 2025
Medicare
$22,555
per capita Medicare spending on people with dementia (in 2019 dollars)
HOSPICE (2017)
#
of people in hospice have a primary diagnosis of dementia
of people in hospice with a primary diagnosis of dementia
Geriatricians
Number of geriatricians in 2019
increase needed to meet Alzheimer's population needs in 2050
Hospitals (2017)
#
of emergency department visits per 1,000 people with dementia
dementia patient hospital readmission rate
increase in emergency deparment visits since 2007
Caregiving
Number of Caregivers
Total Hours of Unpaid Care
Total Value of Unpaid Care
Number of Deaths from Alzheimer's Disease (2018)
| 2,616 | total deaths in Alabama | |
| 6th | leading cause of death in Alabama | |
| 1st | highest Alzheimer's death rate in America | |
| 192% | increase in Alzheimer's deaths since 2000 |
For more information, view the 2020 Alzheimer's Disease Facts and Figures report at alz.org/facts.
U.S. Statistics
Over 5 million Americans are living with Alzheimer's, and as many as 13.8 million will have the disease in 2050. The cost of caring for those with Alzheimer's and other dementias is estimated to total $305 billion in 2020, increasing to $1.1 trillion (in today's dollars) by mid-century. Nearly 1 in 3 seniors who dies each year has Alzheimer's or another dementia.