Dr. Macie Smith stresses early diagnosis and caregiver support for
Black Americans disproportionately affected by the disease
September is World Alzheimer’s month, with September 21 being recognized as World Alzheimer’s Day to focus on raising awareness of Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease. According to a Johns Hopkins Report, there are over 6 million Americans living with Alzheimer’s Disease with 3 million new cases diagnosed each year. Noted Gerontologist Dr. Macie P. Smith—who spoke at the White House Care Convening in May on caregiver support—calls attention to the significant health and economic impacts of Alzheimer’s and Dementia to Black families. The disease is most prevalent in women and Black Americans. 11 million Americans act as unpaid caregivers for a
loved one diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. As the numbers increase, it is important to ensure that those faced with Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia have the best care along with a strong caregiver support team.
“Alzheimer’s is the most expensive disease in this country to date and it’s the only disease in the top 10 that cannot be treated, cured, or slowed,” says Dr. Smith who works with families and caregivers of elderly parents. “The prevalence of the disease in African Americans and the economic impacts to families who assume the responsibility of unpaid care, put Black families in challenging financial positions. Early diagnosis will be a critical component in improving
the quality of lives for those living with dementia and their caregivers.”
Specifically in South Carolina, according to a recent report from the Alzheimer’s Association, there were 95,000 South Carolinians aged 65 and older living with Alzheimer’s in 2020. The number of those living with Alzheimer’s is expected to rise to 120,000 by 2025, an estimated increase of 26.3 percent. Additionally, African American South Carolinians are 45 % more likely to have ADRD as are non-Hispanic.
“Alzheimer’s and Dementia are not ‘normal’ parts of aging. It is important for families and caregivers to pay close attention to the signs,” says Dr. Smith. “If you are seeing memory loss,
problems with language or processing information, behavioral changes or heightened paranoia, or even confusion that makes the activities of daily living more challenging, it is time to advocate for your loved one so that they can get the treatment they need.”
Family caregivers can spend millions of dollars in healthcare expenses and billions of hours helping relatives and friends in need including eating, getting dressed, taking medication and handling affairs such as bills and medical appointments for those managing Alzheimer’s. The best thing families can do is to begin planning as much as possible while cherishing time with their loved one.
