Nearly 11 Million Americans Care for a Loved One With Alzheimers Disease
New Survey Sponsored by Alzheimers Foundation of America (AFA) Explores Caregivers Challenges
Caring for someone with Alzheimers disease (AD) can be stressful and heart-breaking for the nearly 11 million Americans who have taken on the responsibility to serve as caregivers to a loved one with AD. A new, nationwide survey sponsored by the Alzheimers Foundation of America (AFA), Eisai Inc. and Pfizer Inc. explores the challenges AD caregivers face as they strive to ensure the best care possible for their loved ones.
Right now, as many as 5.1 million Americans have AD. As our population ages, including the first wave of baby boomers who will turn 65 in 2011, the disease will impact a greater percentage of Americans. The number of people aged 65 and older will more than double between 2010 and 2050; likewise, those 85 and older will rise three-fold. As the number of people with AD increases, so will the number of caregivers.
Eric J. Hall, president and CEO of the AFA, and Dr. Barry Rovner director of the Division of Geriatric Psychiatry at Thomas Jefferson University are available to talk to your viewers on October 14, 2010 about:
> Survey results and the challenges facing the people who care for loved ones with AD
> A road map for caring for someone with AD that inspires hope
> Educational and support resources for caregivers
Eric J. Hall is the president and founding chief executive officer of the Alzheimers Foundation of America, a leading national nonprofit organization with a mission to provide optimal care to individuals with AD and related dementias, and their families. He has appeared on or has been quoted frequently in local and national media, including The Early Show, The TODAY Show, Time magazine, the Los Angeles Times, USA Today, O: The Oprah Magazine, and CNN Radio.
Dr. Barry Rovner is the director of the Division of Geriatric Psychiatry at Thomas Jefferson University as well as a professor in the Neurology and Psychiatry and Human Behavior departments. Dr. Rovner has been awarded research grants from the National Institute of Mental Health, the National Eye Institute and the Alzheimers Association, and he has authored or co-authored more than 45 research papers on AD, age-related vision problems and psychiatric issues in the elderly.
The survey is sponsored by Eisai Inc. and Pfizer Inc and was conducted by Harris Interactive.
The costs for the interview are being provided by Eisai Inc. and Pfizer Inc.
For More information on Alzheimers Disease Please visit: www.alzfdn.org
