Alzheimer’s Disease on the Rise:

Estimated Prevalence Rates in Louisiana Increased 17% Over Past Ten Years

James J. Bulot, Ph.D.

Deanna Swaggart, Masters Candidate

Institute of Gerontology

College of Arts and Sciences

University of Louisiana at Monroe

Monroe, LA 71209

July 2005

About the Institute of Gerontology

Twenty-Five years ago, the Administration on Aging recognized ULM's excellence in aging by awarding the University funds to develop the first Center on Aging in Louisiana.  Although it’s been through a few name changes, the Institute of Gerontology has continuously been recognized by the Louisiana Board of Regents for Higher Education as a "Unique Area of Excellence" in higher education.  

The Institute of Gerontology and the Department of Gerontology at the University of Louisiana at Monroe comprise one of this region’s leading centers for the academic study of gerontology. The Institute of Gerontology at the University of Louisiana at Monroe has as its core mission Research, Training and Service:

• To conduct social, economic and behavioral research on aging
• To prepare graduates and professional for leadership roles in the field of aging through formal education and training
• To work with the public through community Service to advocate on behalf of older people and to expand opportunities for older people to make productive contributions in aging services

In addition to research on aging, public policy development, teaching and community service, the Institute of Gerontology also houses the Senior Community Service Employment Program (formerly Older Worker Program) and the RSVP programs.  RSVP (the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program) is part of Senior Corps, a network of national service programs that provides older Americans the opportunity to apply their life experience to meeting community needs. RSVP volunteers serve in a diverse range of nonprofit organizations, public agencies, and faith-based groups.

The Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP), formerly called the Older Worker Program, is funded by the federal government and helps older workers find part-time jobs in such places as senior centers, health departments, schools, libraries for people 55 years of age or older who have earnings of less than 125 percent of the federal poverty income guidelines. The community service job is used as a training opportunity to acquire skills or improve existing skills to gain unsubsidized employment in the private sector after completion of the community service job.  The program's major emphasis is on helping older workers develop the transferable skills that help them stay competitive in today's fast-changing business world.

If you would like more information or would like to support the ULM Institute of Gerontology, please contact:

The Institute of Gerontology
ULM College of Arts and Sciences
700 University Avenue
Monroe, LA 71209

Telephone: 318-342-1430
Fax: 318-342-1469

You may also visit our website at: www.ulm.edu/gerontology

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the Louisiana Alzheimer’s Association for their assistance in the development of this report and initial comments. We would also like to thank the Institute of Gerontology and the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Louisiana at Monroe for supporting the development of this report.

Staff of the Institute of Gerontology at the University of Louisiana at Monroe also provided invaluable assistance. Dr. Dale Welch, the Director of the Institute, Dr. Chris Johnson and Dr. Bonnie Hatchett have read and commented on this report.

Finally, we would like to thank the students in the M.A. Gerontology Program as a whole for the valuable discussions held during the development of this report. Although many people contributed to the report, we alone are responsible for the final version and contents.

Dr. James J. Bulot

Ms. Deanna Swaggart

July 2005

ALZHEIMER'S ON THE RISE IN LOUISIANA
76,290 Louisianans Now Coping With “Silent Epidemic”

This report, released by the Institute of Gerontology at the University of Louisiana at Monroe shows that the estimated number of people in Louisiana who are coping with Alzheimer's disease has risen to 76,290, a growth of about 17% over ten years². The report includes a town-by-town, Parish and Metropolitan Area breakdown of older people affected by Alzheimer's disease.

According to the National Institutes of Health, Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive, neurodegenerative disease characterized in the brain by abnormal clumps (amyloid plaques) and tangled bundles of fibers (neurofibrillary tangles) composed of misplaced proteins. Age is the most important risk factor for AD; one estimate is that the number of people with the disease doubles every 5 years beyond age 65. Symptoms of AD include memory loss, language deterioration, and impaired ability to mentally manipulate visual information, poor judgment, confusion, restlessness, and mood swings. Eventually AD destroys cognition, personality, and the ability to function. The early symptoms of AD, which include forgetfulness and loss of concentration, are often missed because they resemble natural signs of aging.

Currently there is no cure for AD and no way to slow the progression of the disease. For some people in the early or middle stages of AD, medication may alleviate some cognitive symptoms while other medications may help control behavioral symptoms such as sleeplessness, agitation, wandering, anxiety, and depression. While medication is important, it does not address all aspects of this disease. In order to adequately prepare for the impact of AD in Louisiana, and to ensure that necessary services will be available, it is important to know the number of people with Alzheimer's. The prevalence of AD has direct implications for Louisiana’s families, public and private care facilities, community service agencies, and for public policy decisions making.

At a time when many States are experiencing budget cuts, and as health care dollars become even scarcer, we must begin to focus our attention on the alarming numbers of our family members and neighbors affected by this disease. As more and more emphasis is placed on providing community based long term care, we must recognize the need throughout Louisiana for services and programs to provide assistance to family caregivers throughout the regions. Over time, a person with the disease becomes dependent on one or more caregivers for help. Seventy to eighty percent of all care is provided by family caregivers at home. About 20% of persons with dementia live alone in the community. Recent research suggests that approximately 80% of caregivers report frequent high levels of stress and almost 50% suffer from depression. The Alzheimer’s Association estimates that a third of all family caregivers of person’s with AD die before the person for whom they are caring. It is believed that this is due in part to the emotional and financial stresses brought by the intensity of providing Alzheimer care.

Some of the many questions raised by these estimated prevalence rates will not just go away because of the state's current fiscal crisis. Those directly and indirectly affects by AD need to make their voices heard. No longer should those with AD be stigmatized by society. We must work together to address these issues. Among other issues needed to be addressed include:

• How many of the estimated 76,290 older Louisianans with Alzheimer's remain undiagnosed, and thus untreated, in light of studies indicating that less than half of those with the disease are diagnosed?

• How many of these estimated 76,290 residents are living alone, without an involved caregiver?

• How many face catastrophic consequences associated with their illness, such as repeatedly wandering from home and becoming lost? How many are driving?

• How many families are facing financial, legal or logistical crises related to long-term care?

• How many families remain unconnected to the state or local elder service network?

• Given the budget crisis, are our community-based and institutional care networks prepared to care for the dramatic increase in the Alzheimer population?

Another aspect of Alzheimer’s disease which needs to be addressed is the lack of information regarding the disease among those in the health care fields, but more importantly among family and other informal caregivers. In an effort to address these shortages, the Louisiana Alzheimer’s Association and the Regional Advisory Councils are working every day to provide information and referral services for those seeking further information or support.

As Shelley Johnson-Stewart, acting director of the Louisiana Alzheimer’s Association stated, “Alzheimer’s disease affects all communities throughout Louisiana and will continue to increase as our baby boomer generation ages. The Alzheimer’s Association strives to enhance the lives of those with memory loss as well as their loved ones. As the number of those with dementia increases, the Alzheimer’s Association has prepared new innovative brain health programs to increase awareness and support throughout Louisiana.”

For more information on Alzheimer’s Disease in Louisiana, contact the ULM Institute of Gerontology or the Louisiana Alzheimer’s Association. Below are some additional internet links which you might find useful.

Links:

o ULM Institute of Gerontology – http://www.ulm.edu/gerontology

o Louisiana Alzheimer’s Association - http://www.alz.org/louisiana/

o Alzheimer's Disease Education & Referral Center - http://www.alzheimers.org

o The Governor’s Office of Elderly Affairs - http://louisiana.gov/elderlyaffairs/

o Elderly Protective Services (EPS) - http://louisiana.gov/elderlyaffairs/eps.htm

o Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals - http://www.dhh.louisiana.gov/

o Medline Plus - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/alzheimersdisease.html

o Eldercare Locator - http://www.eldercare.gov/

Estimated Prevalence of Alzheimer's Disease (AD) in Louisiana Communities¹

Prepared by the ULM Institute of Gerontology, July, 2005.

Name of Town	Total Town Population	65+ Population	Total Estimated Alzheimer’s Population	Percent
Abbeville City	11,887	1,870	313	16.7
Abita Springs	1,957	207	26	12.5
Addis Town	2,238	177	23	13.0
Albany Village	865	126	17	13.7
Alexandria City	46,342	6,983	1134	16.0
Ama CDP	1,285	117	12	10.0
Amelia CDP	2,423	168	19	11.0
Amite City	4,110	548	85	15.5
Anacoco Village	866	125	16	12.8
Angie Village	240	38	4	9.7
Arabi CDP	8,093	2,222	317	14.0
Arcadia Town	3,041	626	143	22.8
Arnaudville	1,398	399	80	20.0
Ashland Village	291	56	10	17.0
Athens Village	262	49	8	17.0
Atlanta Village	150	14	2	15.8
Avondale CDP	5,441	427	42	9.8
Baker City	13,793	1,374	165	12.0
Baldwin Town	2,497	227	31	14.0
Ball Town	3,681	391	47	12.0
Barataria CDP	1,333	183	24	13.0
Basile Town	1,660	285	54	18.8
Baskin Village	188	40	7	16.5
Bastrop City	12,988	2,007	322	16.0
Baton Rouge City	227,818	26,062	4055	15.5
Bayou Cane CDP	17,046	1,860	263	14.0
Bayou Gauche CDP	1,770	117	12	9.8
Bayou Vista CDP	4,351	408	44	10.8
Belcher Village	272	31	4	12.5
Belle Chasse CDP	9,848	935	107	11.5
Belle Rose CDP	1,944	261	39	15.0
Benton Town	2,035	235	33	13.8
Bernice Town	1,809	347