Update: New Alzheimer’s Study of Interest to Nursing Homes
As specialists in providing insurance solutions for nursing homes and assisted living facilities, we’re always eager to share studies that would be of interest to our agency partners and their insureds. One such recent study reveals that the rate of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias is declining in the U.S. as well as in other countries. That’s good news for individuals, their families and those in the industry who help care for Alzheimer’s patients. The CDC estimates that 15% of residents in nursing homes suffer from Alzheimer’s. And, about half of assisted living facilities offer Alzheimer’s and dementia care, according to a 2012 MetLife study.
According to the federally funded study by Framingham University in Massachusetts presented in July at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference in Copenhagen, an American over age 60 today has a 44% lower chance of developing dementia than a similar-aged person did roughly 30 years ago.
“For an individual, the actual risk of dementia seems to have declined, probably due to more education and control of health factors such as cholesterol and blood pressure,” said Dr. Kenneth Langa, a University of Michigan expert on aging who discussed the study at the Conference.
Currently more than 5.4 million Americans have Alzheimer’s, which is the most common form of dementia. The drop in rates is seen as a silver lining among the wave of age-related health problems experienced among an older population. While Alzheimer’s continues to remain a public issue, in those countries such as the U.S. where rates are dropping, projected costs for health services are expected to drop as well.
The Framingham study, according to an article in the Associated Press, tracked new dementia cases among several thousand people 60 and older in five-year periods starting in 1978, 1989, 1996 and 2006. Compared with the first period, new cases were 22% lower in the second one, 38% lower in the third and 44% lower in the fourth one. The average age at which dementia was diagnosed also rose from 80 during the first period to 85 in the last one.
The trends also corresponded with fewer strokes and better treatment of high blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes, and more education, according to the survey.
Caitlin Morgan provides comprehensive insurance solutions for nursing homes and assisted living facilities throughout the country, including General Liability, Property, Professional Liability, Excess Liability, Auto Liability, D&O, Employment Practices Liability, Workers Compensation and many other coverages. Give us a call at 877.226.1027 to find out how we can assist you with our insurance programs for nursing home and assisted living facilities.
Sources: AP, CDC, MetLife