The impact of Alzheimer’s on the workplace

Alzheimer’s Association 2014 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures report reveals impact of the disease on the workplace

On March 19, the Alzheimer’s Association^® 2014 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures was released. This annual report reveals the burden Alzheimer’s and dementia places on individuals, caregivers, government and our nation’s health care system, and includes data on the impact of the disease in every state across the nation.

According to the report, the rate at which Americans acquire Alzheimer’s has increased. Every 67 seconds, someone develops this deadly and costly disease, which has devastating effects for the person living with the disease, their family and friends. The publication also highlights the impact the disease has on caregivers in the workplace. In 2013, 75 percent of Alzheimer’s and dementia caregivers reported being employed full or part time at any time since assuming caregiving responsibilities. Many of these individuals had to make major changes to their work schedules to accommodate these duties. Fifty-four percent said they had to go in late, leave early or take time off, and 15 percent had to take a leave of absence.

Alzheimer’s Association Facts and Figures also includes a special report, Women & Alzheimer’s, which offers new data on how Alzheimer’s disease impacts women proportionally to men. The report reveals that 60 percent of Alzheimer’s and dementia caregivers are women, and demonstrates how this role affects their time in the workplace. Twenty percent of women as compared to 3 percent of men went from working full time to part time while serving as a caregiver, and 11 percent of women versus 5 percent of men gave up work entirely.

Other data show the growing financial burden Alzheimer’s is placing on our nation. According to Alzheimer’s Association Facts and Figures, the total national cost of caring for people with Alzheimer’s and other dementias will reach $214 billion in 2014, not including unpaid caregiving provided by family and friends valued at more than $220 billion. Visit alz.org/facts to read the full report and watch a video highlighting the key findings.