The burden of Alzheimer’s and other dementias weighs heavily on family caregivers in Pennsylvania and across the country, according to the Alzheimer’s Association 2024 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures report.

Last year, 465,000 dementia family caregivers in Pennsylvania provided 822 million hours of unpaid care valued at $13 billion. Dementia caregivers in the Commonwealth also reported significant emotional, physical, and health-related challenges as a result of caregiving, including:

• 76.6 percent of dementia caregivers reported at least one chronic condition. 
• 32.5 percent reported depression.
• 16 percent reported poor physical health

“Caring for someone living with Alzheimer’s or another dementia is incredibly demanding, and the act of caregiving for a loved one can impact many aspects of a care partner’s own health,” said Kristina Fransel, Executive Director of the Alzheimer’s Association Delaware Valley Chapter. “As disease-related symptoms worsen for the person living with dementia, caregiving responsibilities intensify. Over time, caregivers can experience increased emotional and physical stress, making it more difficult to care for their loved ones and for themselves.”

According to the new report, 83 percent of the help provided to older adults in the United States comes from family members, friends, or other unpaid caregivers. Nearly half of all caregivers (48 percent) who provide help to older adults do so for someone with Alzheimer’s or another dementia. Nationwide, there are an estimated 11.5 million caregivers providing unpaid care for people living with Alzheimer’s or another dementia. Last year, these caregivers provided 18.4 billion hours of care valued at nearly $347 billion.

“The cost of caregiving is yet one more stressor for families,” Fransel said. “The lifetime cost of caring for someone with dementia is estimated at nearly $400,000 with 70 percent of this cost borne by family caregivers — this is often a financial burden for which very few families are prepared.”  

Understanding how Alzheimer’s and other dementia progress can help caregivers anticipate disease-related changes and provide opportunities to explore caregiving options and resources in their local communities. In the wake of an Alzheimer’s or dementia diagnosis, it is important for caregivers to think about care as a continuum. The average life expectancy following an Alzheimer’s diagnosis is four to eight years, but some individuals can live with the disease longer, up to 20 years. Caregivers are encouraged to reassess care decisions and options regularly.

While caregiving for someone living with Alzheimer’s or another dementia can be stressful, the Alzheimer’s Association website has robust information about caregiving throughout the disease continuum, various care options, and resources to help with financial and legal planning. The Alzheimer’s Association Community Resource Finder can help families find local residential care options by simply entering their ZIP Code.

“The new report clearly shows that dementia caregivers need more support now and that will only increase in the coming years,” said Fransel. “The Alzheimer’s Association provides support for all caregivers through our 24/7 Helpline (800-272-3900), local support groups, care consultations, and additional local resources that can help relieve some of the burden they’re facing. And most importantly, caregivers need to know they are not alone and we are here to help.”

Learn more about the 2024 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures report, as well as the resources available for caregivers and families, at the Alzheimer’s Association.