Instances of Alzheimer’s disease are expected to rise rapidly with the aging of the world’s population. A new study published in the medical journal The Lancet forecasts that dementia will affect 153 million people globally by 2050. In this country, in one state alone, cases are projected to rise by 33.3% between now and 2025. That state is Arizona.
Azheimer’s disease is named after Dr. Alois Alzheimer, who found changes in the brain tissue of a woman who died in 1906. She had experienced memory loss and confusion. Clearly the disease he “discovered” had been present in the human population for thousands of years, but, with a name, scientists began to explore its symptoms more carefully, along with its causes.
The World Health Organization reports that Alzheimer’s represents about two-thirds of dementia cases worldwide, which currently totals approximately 55 million people. The WHO also reports that the figure increases by 10 million people a year. It defines the disease as “deterioration in cognitive function beyond what might be expected from the usual consequences of biological aging.” There are medications that may slow the disease’s progression, but there is no cure or truly effective treatment. (These are the states where Alzheimer’s causes the most deaths.)
To determine the states where Alzheimer’s disease is increasing the most, 24/7 Tempo reviewed data from the Alzheimer’s Association’s 2021 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures report. States were ranked by the projected increase in the number of Americans 65 and older with Alzheimer’s disease between 2020 and 2025. (Data on average annual retirement per state comes from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2019 American Community Survey.)
Click here to see the states where Alzheimer’s is soaring
Age is the greatest risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease. As a larger share of the U.S. population turns 65 and older, the number of Alzheimer’s cases is projected to increase. Many of the states with the largest projected increases are also states with higher percentages of older Americans, though other risk factors like obesity, diabetes, and the quality of each state’s health care system also play a part.
Those with Alzheimer’s disease need a great deal of care. The Alzheimer’s Association estimates that, in 2021, the cost of caring for those with Alzheimer’s and other dementias in the United States was $355 billion. When the unpaid care given by friends and family is factored in, that figure balloons to over $610 billion. It is important for those who want to retire in the near future to save enough money to be able to afford long-term care in the event of an Alzheimer’s diagnosis. (You may be surprised at what it really costs to retire in America.)
50. North Dakota
> Projected increase in adults 65+ with Alzheimer’s disease, 2020-2025: 6.7% (from 15,000 to 16,000)
> Pct. of population 65+: 15.8% (total: 120,177)
> Pct. of 65+ pop. with Alzheimer’s disease: 12.5% — 5th highest
> Avg. annual retirement income: $26,286 — 14th lowest
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48. Wisconsin
> Projected increase in adults 65+ with Alzheimer’s disease, 2020-2025: 8.3% (from 120,000 to 130,000)
> Pct. of population 65+: 17.5% (total: 1,019,896)
> Pct. of 65+ pop. with Alzheimer’s disease: 11.8% — 10th highest
> Avg. annual retirement income: $26,744 — 20th lowest
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48. Missouri
> Projected increase in adults 65+ with Alzheimer’s disease, 2020-2025: 8.3% (from 120,000 to 130,000)
> Pct. of population 65+: 17.2% (total: 1,057,943)
> Pct. of 65+ pop. with Alzheimer’s disease: 11.3% — 18th highest
> Avg. annual retirement income: $25,482 — 11th lowest
47. New Jersey
> Projected increase in adults 65+ with Alzheimer’s disease, 2020-2025: 10.5% (from 190,000 to 210,000)
> Pct. of population 65+: 16.6% (total: 1,475,075)
> Pct. of 65+ pop. with Alzheimer’s disease: 12.9% — 2nd highest
> Avg. annual retirement income: $33,277 — 11th highest
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46. Iowa
> Projected increase in adults 65+ with Alzheimer’s disease, 2020-2025: 10.6% (from 66,000 to 73,000)
> Pct. of population 65+: 17.5% (total: 553,575)
> Pct. of 65+ pop. with Alzheimer’s disease: 11.9% — 8th highest
> Avg. annual retirement income: $23,244 — 3rd lowest
45. South Dakota
> Projected increase in adults 65+ with Alzheimer’s disease, 2020-2025: 11.1% (from 18,000 to 20,000)
> Pct. of population 65+: 17.4% (total: 153,799)
> Pct. of 65+ pop. with Alzheimer’s disease: 11.7% — 13th highest
> Avg. annual retirement income: $23,799 — 4th lowest
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44. New York
> Projected increase in adults 65+ with Alzheimer’s disease, 2020-2025: 12.2% (from 410,000 to 460,000)
> Pct. of population 65+: 16.9% (total: 3,295,968)
> Pct. of 65+ pop. with Alzheimer’s disease: 12.4% — 6th highest
> Avg. annual retirement income: $32,779 — 12th highest
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43. Rhode Island
> Projected increase in adults 65+ with Alzheimer’s disease, 2020-2025: 12.5% (from 24,000 to 27,000)
> Pct. of population 65+: 17.7% (total: 187,155)
> Pct. of 65+ pop. with Alzheimer’s disease: 12.8% — 3rd highest
> Avg. annual retirement income: $28,854 — 22nd highest
42. Kansas
> Projected increase in adults 65+ with Alzheimer’s disease, 2020-2025: 12.7% (from 55,000 to 62,000)
> Pct. of population 65+: 16.4% (total: 477,996)
> Pct. of 65+ pop. with Alzheimer’s disease: 11.5% — 14th highest
> Avg. annual retirement income: $24,301 — 5th lowest
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41. West Virginia
> Projected increase in adults 65+ with Alzheimer’s disease, 2020-2025: 12.8% (from 39,000 to 44,000)
> Pct. of population 65+: 20.5% (total: 367,400)
> Pct. of 65+ pop. with Alzheimer’s disease: 10.6% — 21st lowest
> Avg. annual retirement income: $22,242 — 2nd lowest
40. Illinois
> Projected increase in adults 65+ with Alzheimer’s disease, 2020-2025: 13.0% (from 230,000 to 260,000)
> Pct. of population 65+: 16.1% (total: 2,045,361)
> Pct. of 65+ pop. with Alzheimer’s disease: 11.2% — 19th highest
> Avg. annual retirement income: $32,528 — 13th highest
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39. Oklahoma
> Projected increase in adults 65+ with Alzheimer’s disease, 2020-2025: 13.4% (from 67,000 to 76,000)
> Pct. of population 65+: 16.1% (total: 635,222)
> Pct. of 65+ pop. with Alzheimer’s disease: 10.5% — 19th lowest
> Avg. annual retirement income: $24,948 — 7th lowest
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38. Ohio
> Projected increase in adults 65+ with Alzheimer’s disease, 2020-2025: 13.6% (from 220,000 to 250,000)
> Pct. of population 65+: 17.5% (total: 2,043,548)
> Pct. of 65+ pop. with Alzheimer’s disease: 10.8% — 25th highest
> Avg. annual retirement income: $27,260 — 22nd lowest
37. Connecticut
> Projected increase in adults 65+ with Alzheimer’s disease, 2020-2025: 13.8% (from 80,000 to 91,000)
> Pct. of population 65+: 17.6% (total: 629,032)
> Pct. of 65+ pop. with Alzheimer’s disease: 12.7% — 4th highest
> Avg. annual retirement income: $35,383 — 5th highest
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36. Mississippi
> Projected increase in adults 65+ with Alzheimer’s disease, 2020-2025: 14.0% (from 57,000 to 65,000)
> Pct. of population 65+: 16.4% (total: 486,804)
> Pct. of 65+ pop. with Alzheimer’s disease: 11.7% — 12th highest
> Avg. annual retirement income: $24,987 — 8th lowest
34. Pennsylvania
> Projected increase in adults 65+ with Alzheimer’s disease, 2020-2025: 14.3% (from 280,000 to 320,000)
> Pct. of population 65+: 18.7% (total: 2,388,218)
> Pct. of 65+ pop. with Alzheimer’s disease: 11.7% — 11th highest
> Avg. annual retirement income: $25,435 — 10th lowest
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34. Nebraska
> Projected increase in adults 65+ with Alzheimer’s disease, 2020-2025: 14.3% (from 35,000 to 40,000)
> Pct. of population 65+: 16.1% (total: 312,295)
> Pct. of 65+ pop. with Alzheimer’s disease: 11.2% — 21st highest
> Avg. annual retirement income: $24,647 — 6th lowest
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33. Alabama
> Projected increase in adults 65+ with Alzheimer’s disease, 2020-2025: 14.6% (from 96,000 to 110,000)
> Pct. of population 65+: 17.4% (total: 854,312)
> Pct. of 65+ pop. with Alzheimer’s disease: 11.2% — 20th highest
> Avg. annual retirement income: $26,549 — 19th lowest
32. Kentucky
> Projected increase in adults 65+ with Alzheimer’s disease, 2020-2025: 14.7% (from 75,000 to 86,000)
> Pct. of population 65+: 16.9% (total: 754,559)
> Pct. of 65+ pop. with Alzheimer’s disease: 9.9% — 9th lowest
> Avg. annual retirement income: $26,310 — 15th lowest
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31. Massachusetts
> Projected increase in adults 65+ with Alzheimer’s disease, 2020-2025: 15.4% (from 130,000 to 150,000)
> Pct. of population 65+: 17.0% (total: 1,172,293)
> Pct. of 65+ pop. with Alzheimer’s disease: 11.1% — 22nd highest
> Avg. annual retirement income: $34,989 — 6th highest
30. Arkansas
> Projected increase in adults 65+ with Alzheimer’s disease, 2020-2025: 15.5% (from 58,000 to 67,000)
> Pct. of population 65+: 17.4% (total: 524,237)
> Pct. of 65+ pop. with Alzheimer’s disease: 11.1% — 23rd highest
> Avg. annual retirement income: $25,635 — 13th lowest
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29. Michigan
> Projected increase in adults 65+ with Alzheimer’s disease, 2020-2025: 15.8% (from 190,000 to 220,000)
> Pct. of population 65+: 17.7% (total: 1,766,409)
> Pct. of 65+ pop. with Alzheimer’s disease: 10.8% — 24th lowest
> Avg. annual retirement income: $26,510 — 18th lowest
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26. Washington
> Projected increase in adults 65+ with Alzheimer’s disease, 2020-2025: 16.7% (from 120,000 to 140,000)
> Pct. of population 65+: 15.9% (total: 1,207,685)
> Pct. of 65+ pop. with Alzheimer’s disease: 9.9% — 8th lowest
> Avg. annual retirement income: $31,605 — 14th highest
26. North Carolina
> Projected increase in adults 65+ with Alzheimer’s disease, 2020-2025: 16.7% (from 180,000 to 210,000)
> Pct. of population 65+: 16.7% (total: 1,750,935)
> Pct. of 65+ pop. with Alzheimer’s disease: 10.3% — 16th lowest
> Avg. annual retirement income: $27,417 — 23rd lowest
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26. Tennessee
> Projected increase in adults 65+ with Alzheimer’s disease, 2020-2025: 16.7% (from 120,000 to 140,000)
> Pct. of population 65+: 16.7% (total: 1,138,965)
> Pct. of 65+ pop. with Alzheimer’s disease: 10.5% — 18th lowest
> Avg. annual retirement income: $25,111 — 9th lowest
24. Maryland
> Projected increase in adults 65+ with Alzheimer’s disease, 2020-2025: 18.2% (from 110,000 to 130,000)
> Pct. of population 65+: 15.9% (total: 959,887)
> Pct. of 65+ pop. with Alzheimer’s disease: 11.5% — 16th highest
> Avg. annual retirement income: $39,025 — 2nd highest
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24. Indiana
> Projected increase in adults 65+ with Alzheimer’s disease, 2020-2025: 18.2% (from 110,000 to 130,000)
> Pct. of population 65+: 16.1% (total: 1,084,472)
> Pct. of 65+ pop. with Alzheimer’s disease: 10.1% — 13th lowest
> Avg. annual retirement income: $21,582 — the lowest
23. Louisiana
> Projected increase in adults 65+ with Alzheimer’s disease, 2020-2025: 19.6% (from 92,000 to 110,000)
> Pct. of population 65+: 16.0% (total: 742,194)
> Pct. of 65+ pop. with Alzheimer’s disease: 12.4% — 7th highest
> Avg. annual retirement income: $27,605 — 24th lowest
21. Hawaii
> Projected increase in adults 65+ with Alzheimer’s disease, 2020-2025: 20.7% (from 29,000 to 35,000)
> Pct. of population 65+: 19.0% (total: 269,470)
> Pct. of 65+ pop. with Alzheimer’s disease: 10.8% — 25th lowest
> Avg. annual retirement income: $34,341 — 10th highest
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21. Maine
> Projected increase in adults 65+ with Alzheimer’s disease, 2020-2025: 20.7% (from 29,000 to 35,000)
> Pct. of population 65+: 21.3% (total: 285,978)
> Pct. of 65+ pop. with Alzheimer’s disease: 10.1% — 12th lowest
> Avg. annual retirement income: $26,411 — 17th lowest
19. Delaware
> Projected increase in adults 65+ with Alzheimer’s disease, 2020-2025: 21.1% (from 19,000 to 23,000)
> Pct. of population 65+: 19.5% (total: 189,638)
> Pct. of 65+ pop. with Alzheimer’s disease: 10.0% — 10th lowest
> Avg. annual retirement income: $34,771 — 8th highest
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19. Colorado
> Projected increase in adults 65+ with Alzheimer’s disease, 2020-2025: 21.1% (from 76,000 to 92,000)
> Pct. of population 65+: 14.7% (total: 845,378)
> Pct. of 65+ pop. with Alzheimer’s disease: 9.0% — the lowest
> Avg. annual retirement income: $34,543 — 9th highest
18. Minnesota
> Projected increase in adults 65+ with Alzheimer’s disease, 2020-2025: 21.2% (from 99,000 to 120,000)
> Pct. of population 65+: 16.3% (total: 921,491)
> Pct. of 65+ pop. with Alzheimer’s disease: 10.7% — 23rd lowest
> Avg. annual retirement income: $28,782 — 23rd highest
16. California
> Projected increase in adults 65+ with Alzheimer’s disease, 2020-2025: 21.7% (from 690,000 to 840,000)
> Pct. of population 65+: 14.8% (total: 5,834,998)
> Pct. of 65+ pop. with Alzheimer’s disease: 11.8% — 9th highest
> Avg. annual retirement income: $38,910 — 3rd highest
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16. Oregon
> Projected increase in adults 65+ with Alzheimer’s disease, 2020-2025: 21.7% (from 69,000 to 84,000)
> Pct. of population 65+: 18.2% (total: 767,496)
> Pct. of 65+ pop. with Alzheimer’s disease: 9.0% — 2nd lowest
> Avg. annual retirement income: $30,446 — 18th highest
15. Idaho
> Projected increase in adults 65+ with Alzheimer’s disease, 2020-2025: 22.2% (from 27,000 to 33,000)
> Pct. of population 65+: 16.2% (total: 288,617)
> Pct. of 65+ pop. with Alzheimer’s disease: 9.4% — 4th lowest
> Avg. annual retirement income: $25,505 — 12th lowest
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14. Texas
> Projected increase in adults 65+ with Alzheimer’s disease, 2020-2025: 22.5% (from 400,000 to 490,000)
> Pct. of population 65+: 12.9% (total: 3,738,727)
> Pct. of 65+ pop. with Alzheimer’s disease: 10.7% — 22nd lowest
> Avg. annual retirement income: $30,444 — 19th highest
13. Montana
> Projected increase in adults 65+ with Alzheimer’s disease, 2020-2025: 22.7% (from 22,000 to 27,000)
> Pct. of population 65+: 19.5% (total: 207,909)
> Pct. of 65+ pop. with Alzheimer’s disease: 10.6% — 20th lowest
> Avg. annual retirement income: $26,811 — 21st lowest
12. New Hampshire
> Projected increase in adults 65+ with Alzheimer’s disease, 2020-2025: 23.1% (from 26,000 to 32,000)
> Pct. of population 65+: 18.6% (total: 253,147)
> Pct. of 65+ pop. with Alzheimer’s disease: 10.3% — 15th lowest
> Avg. annual retirement income: $27,906 — 25th lowest
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11. New Mexico
> Projected increase in adults 65+ with Alzheimer’s disease, 2020-2025: 23.3% (from 43,000 to 53,000)
> Pct. of population 65+: 18.0% (total: 377,730)
> Pct. of 65+ pop. with Alzheimer’s disease: 11.4% — 17th highest
> Avg. annual retirement income: $31,487 — 15th highest
10. Utah
> Projected increase in adults 65+ with Alzheimer’s disease, 2020-2025: 23.5% (from 34,000 to 42,000)
> Pct. of population 65+: 11.4% (total: 365,198)
> Pct. of 65+ pop. with Alzheimer’s disease: 9.3% — 3rd lowest
> Avg. annual retirement income: $29,406 — 21st highest
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9. Florida
> Projected increase in adults 65+ with Alzheimer’s disease, 2020-2025: 24.1% (from 580,000 to 720,000)
> Pct. of population 65+: 20.9% (total: 4,498,198)
> Pct. of 65+ pop. with Alzheimer’s disease: 12.9% — the highest
> Avg. annual retirement income: $31,405 — 16th highest
8. South Carolina
> Projected increase in adults 65+ with Alzheimer’s disease, 2020-2025: 26.3% (from 95,000 to 120,000)
> Pct. of population 65+: 18.2% (total: 935,538)
> Pct. of 65+ pop. with Alzheimer’s disease: 10.2% — 14th lowest
> Avg. annual retirement income: $28,450 — 25th highest
6. Virginia
> Projected increase in adults 65+ with Alzheimer’s disease, 2020-2025: 26.7% (from 150,000 to 190,000)
> Pct. of population 65+: 15.9% (total: 1,358,336)
> Pct. of 65+ pop. with Alzheimer’s disease: 11.0% — 24th highest
> Avg. annual retirement income: $36,695 — 4th highest
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6. Georgia
> Projected increase in adults 65+ with Alzheimer’s disease, 2020-2025: 26.7% (from 150,000 to 190,000)
> Pct. of population 65+: 14.3% (total: 1,523,192)
> Pct. of 65+ pop. with Alzheimer’s disease: 9.8% — 7th lowest
> Avg. annual retirement income: $30,990 — 17th highest
5. Alaska
> Projected increase in adults 65+ with Alzheimer’s disease, 2020-2025: 29.4% (from 8,500 to 11,000)
> Pct. of population 65+: 12.4% (total: 90,588)
> Pct. of 65+ pop. with Alzheimer’s disease: 9.4% — 5th lowest
> Avg. annual retirement income: $43,642 — the highest
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4. Wyoming
> Projected increase in adults 65+ with Alzheimer’s disease, 2020-2025: 30.0% (from 10,000 to 13,000)
> Pct. of population 65+: 17.1% (total: 98,789)
> Pct. of 65+ pop. with Alzheimer’s disease: 10.1% — 11th lowest
> Avg. annual retirement income: $28,593 — 24th highest
3. Nevada
> Projected increase in adults 65+ with Alzheimer’s disease, 2020-2025: 30.6% (from 49,000 to 64,000)
> Pct. of population 65+: 16.2% (total: 498,219)
> Pct. of 65+ pop. with Alzheimer’s disease: 9.8% — 6th lowest
> Avg. annual retirement income: $34,913 — 7th highest
2. Vermont
> Projected increase in adults 65+ with Alzheimer’s disease, 2020-2025: 30.8% (from 13,000 to 17,000)
> Pct. of population 65+: 20.1% (total: 125,201)
> Pct. of 65+ pop. with Alzheimer’s disease: 10.4% — 17th lowest
> Avg. annual retirement income: $26,390 — 16th lowest
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1. Arizona
> Projected increase in adults 65+ with Alzheimer’s disease, 2020-2025: 33.3% (from 150,000 to 200,000)
> Pct. of population 65+: 18.0% (total: 1,307,241)
> Pct. of 65+ pop. with Alzheimer’s disease: 11.5% — 15th highest
> Avg. annual retirement income: $30,168 — 20th highest
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