The Future of Dementia Care, Caregiving, and Services Research

With the aging of the baby boomers, the numbers of Americans living with or affected by dementia will rise dramatically. By 2025, an estimated 7.2 million Americans are expected to have Alzheimer's disease, which is the most common cause of dementia, accounting for 60-80% of cases.1 In the absence of medical breakthroughs, the prevalence is expected to climb to 13.8 million by 2060, more than doubling the number currently affected.1 To prepare for this coming crisis, the National Alzheimer's Project Act was signed into law in January 2011 followed by the 2012 release of a National Plan to address Alzheimer's disease that includes 5 goals to: prevent and effectively treat Alzheimer's disease and related dementias by 2025, enhance care quality and efficiency, expand supports for people with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias and their families, enhance public awareness and engagement, and improve data to track progress.