Living Well Blog

The Family Caregiver Alliance quotes data from the Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders Association, Inc.’s  General Statistics/Demographics (Chicago, IL: 2000), where it illustrates the problems that brain impairment imposes 0n caregivers: .”…Many of the diseases and disorders that affect the brain are progressive and their incidence and prevalence increase with age. Caring for those with adult-onset brain impairments frequently becomes a 24-hour, 7-day a week role. As the population ages, the need for care and for understanding the impact of these disorders on families becomes even more pressing.

A recent report released by the Federal Interagency Forum on Aging-Related Statistics1 , states that 35.8% of those 85 or older have moderate or severe memory impairment. Persons 85 years and older are the fastest growing segment of the population. By 2020, it is estimated that almost one million persons will be age 85+ in California alone – twice as many as there are today.

The loss of cognitive and functional abilities affect the individual and his or her family in profound ways. Caring for adults with cognitive impairments is often very stressful and demanding. Caregivers cope with their loved ones’ memory loss, behavioral and personality changes, chronic care needs and the high costs of care. Caregiving can span decades, can impact both the physical and mental health of the caregiver and can result in extreme economic hardship.

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