Alzheimer’s (AHLZ-high-merz) is a disease of the brain that causes problems with memory, thinking and behavior. It is not a normal part of aging.

Is the most common form of dementia

Dementia is a general term for the loss of memory and other intellectual abilities serious enough to interfere with daily life. Alzheimer’s accounts for 50 to 70 percent of dementia cases.

Is more common than you think

Every 71 seconds, someone in the United States is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. It is estimated that as many as 5 million people in the United States are living with Alzheimer’s. That includes 13 percent over the age of 65 and nearly 50 percent who are 85 and older. In 2050, the number of people in the United States with Alzheimer’s could reach 16 million.

Because 70 percent of the people with Alzheimer’s live at home, the disease impacts millions of family members, friends and caregivers.

Gets worse over time

Alzheimer’s gets worse over time and ultimately is fatal. Although symptoms can vary widely, the first problem many people notice is forgetfulness severe enough to affect their ability to function at home or at work or to enjoy lifelong hobbies.

Other symptoms include confusion, getting lost in familiar places, misplacing things, and problems with speaking and writing.

Impacts our entire society

Alzheimer’s takes an enormous toll on society. The Alzheimer’s Association estimates that the direct costs to Medicare and Medicaid for care of people with Alzheimer’s and other dementias and the indirect costs to business for employees who are caring for Alzheimer’s amount to more than $148 billion annually. By 2030, when the baby boom generation is over 65, the number of Americans with Alzheimer’s will soar to levels that may exceed our ability to absorb the added cost and bankrupt our healthcare system.

Latinos and Alzheimer’s

Alzheimer’s disease is a looming yet unrecognized crisis in the Latino community of the United States. It is estimated that during the first half of the 21st century, the number of Latinos with Alzheimer’s and related dementias could increase by more that 600 percent, from fewer than 200,000 today to more than 1.3 million by 2050.

A growing body of evidence indicates that vascular disease risk factors, such as diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure and cholesterol, may also be risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease and other related dementias. Specifically, scientists are finding more evidence that could link Type 2 diabetes with Alzheimer’s disease. All of these risk factors have high prevalence rates in the Latino community.