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Sean Logan, the Republic | azcentral.com

Michigan is on the brink of a crisis, according to a new report released Wednesday by the Michigan Dementia Coalition.

Dementia care will cost up to $ 1.42 billion this year at Medicaid in Michigan for people aged 65 and over. This figure is expected to reach $ 1.72 billion a year in the next six years, as more and more people will be diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia, according to the coalition's roadmap for creating a report on capable dementia in Michigan.

"All sectors of our state are affected by this challenge," Governor Gretchen Whitmer wrote in a letter released Wednesday as part of the report. "More than half a million family members in Michigan are caring for a loved one with dementia and bear the greatest responsibility, but this impact is also felt by our employers, our systems. health, our state resources and our economy, as well as by all the communities in the region. "

Decima Assisi, who suffers from Alzheimer's disease, and Harry Lomping roam the corridors of Easton Home in Easton, Pennsylvania. (Photo: Matt Rourke, AP)

The report paints a disturbing picture, showing the enormous costs associated with the care of michiganders with dementia:

  • $ 11,000 is the annual cost of health care and long-term care of a person with dementia to the Medicare plan, nearly double the costs borne by people taking care of an adult without dementia.
  • $ 321,780 was the lifetime total cost (in 2015 dollars) of caring for someone with dementia from the time of diagnosis.
  • 517,000 people look after family members with dementia. They provide approximately 589 million hours of unpaid care every year to people with dementia. The value of this unpaid care exceeds $ 7 billion.

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"Alzheimer's disease is the most expensive in the United States," said Jennifer Lepard, president and CEO of the Alzheimer's Association, Greater Michigan Chapter, and co-chair of the Michigan Dementia Coalition. "Given the enormous burden of Alzheimer's disease for people with Alzheimer's disease, their families and the country as a whole, it must remain a public health priority for Michigan and for our country."

Jennifer Lepard, President and CEO of the Greater Michigan Alzheimer's Association. (Photo: Alzheimer's Association of Greater Michigan)

It is estimated that 190,000 Michigandans aged 65 and over are suffering from Alzheimer's dementia, a number that is expected to reach 220,000 people by 2025. Although this number is increasing, it is estimated that An underestimation of the larger problem as it does not include people under 65 years old. with Alzheimer's disease or people with other forms of dementia, such as vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, frontotemporal dementia and Huntington's disease.

"Two-thirds of adults personally know someone with Alzheimer's disease, dementia, or another illness that causes cognitive decline," said Lisa Dedden Cooper, head of activities. AARP Michigan Advocacy and Co-Chair of the Michigan Dementia Coalition.

And while the data is bleak, the coalition, made up of 65 organizations and 120 people, including the Michigan AARP, the Alzheimer's Michigan Association sections, Michigan State University researchers, the University of Michigan and Wayne State University and Area Agency on Aging 1B – works on strategies to help the state better manage the growing number of people with dementia and make their lives and those of their caregivers more enriching.

Among its objectives:

  • Increase access to training, education and support for caregivers, health care providers and service providers
  • Reduce staff turnover and improve job satisfaction for those working in health care and those providing services to patients with dementia
  • Promote early detection and diagnosis and expand opportunities for patients to participate in clinical research
  • Address unmet need and prepare for increased future demand for services for people with dementia
  • Respond to the need for more affordable and reliable transportation services for people with dementia
  • Identify policy and regulatory changes to help prevent the abuse and financial exploitation of people with dementia

It also tries to educate the public about dementia and the challenges of care, to build partnerships to strengthen the services available to patients and to adopt policies that will make a difference for families and families. 39, state economy.

To read the full report, go to: https://www.midementiacoalition.org/roadmap

Contact Kristen Jordan Shamus at 313-222-5997 or at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @ Kristenshamus.

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