The Alzheimer's Cost

 Connor Hsuan

Professor Horgan

HST 401

9 February 2026

I pledge my honor that I have abided by the Stevens Honor System.

The Alzheimer's Cost

I was very young when my grandpa was diagnosed with Alzheimer's, so I can’t say I remember too much about how it all started. What I do remember was a small incident with a misplaced TV remote, which no one thought much of at first. However, he began to have more memory related issues, such as not being able to remember what he had for dinner the night before. These were just a few of the early signs for a mental disease that currently nearly 7.2 million Americans are affected by. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, an organization dedicated to the research of Alzheimer's and other dementias, other early signs can include difficulty having conversations and changes in mood or personality, both of which my grandpa soon exhibited (Alzheimer’s). I remember that he eventually could no longer speak in english, and then couldn’t speak at all. America faces a growing crisis, as the number of Alzheimer's patients increase, healthcare for dementia is already underfunded. While other more conventional diseases have seen a decrease in deaths, Alzheimer’s deaths only seem to be increasing with each year.

Alzheimer’s disease (AD), is a specific type of dementia, which is an umbrella term that describes a decline in memory, reasoning, or other cognitive functions. AD involves the death of neurons and damage to brain tissue, with inflammation and atrophy to brain tissue also occurring. Those with AD and other dementias make up a significant portion of our population and require a massive amount of resources to take care of. According to a journal by the Alzheimer’s Association, an estimated 7.2 million Americans 65 or older currently live with Alzheimer’s disease today, with that number expected to rise to 13.8 million in 2060. The cost to unpaid care givers is astounding, valued at $413.5 billion as of 2024, not factoring in any emotional distress that also may occur (2025). The federal funding for health care and long-term care for individuals with Alzheimer's is also insufficient for the present and future. In 2025, Medicare and Medicaid covered about 64% of all AD related expenses, which comes out to $246 billion. This still leaves 36% or $138 billion to be covered either out of pocket or by other means (2025). Combined with the burden absorbed by unpaid caregivers, it is clear not enough is being done to help those that suffer from AD and relies on the people to shoulder the burden.

Eventually, living at home was no longer an option for my grandpa. My grandma could only help so much by herself. At that time, my dad made the decision to have him admitted into  a nursing home, though the actual quality of those can vary greatly, especially when considering non-profit versus for profit houses. In a systematic review conducted by several physicians, it was found that not-for-profit nursing homes generally gave better care than those that were for-profit. The physicians further conclude that for-profit businesses have a heavy incentive to minimize cost, as a way to meet shareholder expectation. This is then reflected in lower quality equipment and staffing (Comondore). If not-for-profit nursing homes generally do provide better care than their for-profit counterparts, then it should be logical that the government should provide far more funding than it does to provide the highest level of care.

My grandpa passed away in early 2018, 9 years after I saw the earliest effects of Alzheimer's. At the time, I couldn't really understand the issues surrounding how we treat those with illnesses. Looking back on it now though, I can see how taxing it was for everyone to deal with. Alzheimer's disease is a problem that shows no signs of leaving anytime soon. As a society, we need to pay more attention to those with these kinds of issues and make real commitments towards their care.

Work Cited

“2025 Alzheimer's disease facts and figures.” Alzheimer's & Dementia vol. 21,4 e70235. 29 Apr. 2025, doi:10.1002/alz.70235

Alzheimer’s Association. “10 Early Signs and Symptoms of Alzheimer’s and Dementia.” Alzheimer’s Association, 2026, https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/10_signs. Accessed 25 Feb. 2026.

Comondore, Vikram R et al. “Quality of care in for-profit and not-for-profit nursing homes: systematic review and meta-analysis.” BMJ (Clinical research ed.) vol. 339 b2732. 4 Aug. 2009, doi:10.1136/bmj.b2732