Tennessee
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In February 2020, the Tennessee state legislature advance a piece of legislation, The Col. Thomas G. Bowden Memorial Act. This bill seeks to create a pilot program to deliver home and community-based services, including respite care to those living alone with Alzheimer's or those being cared for by a family member or friend.
Advocates from across Tennessee came together in Nashville to lobby their legislators to support, including Col. Bowden's widow who is a tireless advocate for families losing a loved one to Alzheimer's. Watch below to find out more!
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State Affairs Contact Rachel Blackhurst | | [email protected]
Number of People Aged 65 and Older With Alzheimer's by Age
| Year | 65-74 | 75-84 | 85+ | TOTAL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 21,000 | 55,000 | 46,000 | 120,000 |
| 2025 | 23,000 | 69,000 | 52,000 | 140,000 |
Percentage change from 2020
Medicaid
$1,109
MILLION
Medicaid costs of caring for people with Alzheimer's (2020)
24.2%
change in costs from 2020 to 2025
Medicare
$24,199
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)
| 3,488 | total deaths in Tennessee | |
| 6th | leading cause of death in Tennessee | |
| 4th | highest Alzheimer's death rate in America | |
| 241% | 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.