- ORIGINAL NEWS
Op-ed: An Alzheimer’s wave is coming. Here’s how to protect your family and your finances
- SUMMARY
Alzheimer’s disease is a devastating illness that diminishes memory, cognition, and behavior.
In the United States alone, it affects approximately 6.7 million people over 65 years of age, with this number anticipated to soar to 153 million worldwide by 2050.
Planning for dementia is essential as the healthcare costs can be astronomical, often wiping out retirement savings in a short period.
Thankfully, there are two main strategies to protect families from financial ruin due to dementia: long-term care insurance and proactive health measures.
Long-term care insurance policies provide financial assistance once individuals can no longer independently perform activities like bathing, dressing, or eating.
Alternatively, lifestyle changes such as exercise, a balanced diet, and stress reduction may lower the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.
Dementia can be a frightening and overwhelming disease, but with careful planning and prevention, families can protect their loved ones from both the health and financial consequences.
- NEWS SENTIMENT CHECK
- Overall sentiment:
negative
Positive
“Dr. Dale Bredesen, author of “The End of Alzheimer’s,” suggests that chronic inflammation from stress, diet and other lifestyle choices may play a role in how plaque builds up in the brain.”
“Good health habits offer no guarantee that you won’t get dementia, but there’s reason to believe it will increase your odds of a favorable outcome.”
Negative
“Planning is not solely about us, but also the spouse and the children who must make difficult and often heartbreaking decisions about their loved one.”
“By 2050, 153 million people are expected to be living with dementia worldwide, up from 57 million in 2019, due largely to an aging population and to rising obesity rates and higher instances of elevated blood sugar, which have been linked to the disease.”