According to preliminary data, Alzheimer's disease was the 6th leading cause of death among people age 65 and over in 2023. The lifetime risk for Alzheimer's at age 45 is an astounding 1 in 5 for women and 1 in 10 for men. 

In 2025, an estimated 7.2 million Americans are living with AD, and that number is projected to jump to nearly 13 million by 2050. Currently, about 1 in 9 people age 65 and older has Alzheimer's, and 1 in 3 older Americans dies with Alzheimer's or another form of dementia. 

The cost of dementia continues to skyrocket. In 2025, health and long-term care costs for people living with Alzheimer's and other dementias are expected to reach $384 billion, with $97 billion of that being paid out of pocket and $246 billion being paid by Medicare and Medicaid. This total is projected to balloon to $1 trillion by 2050. These massive numbers don't include the estimated 19 billion hours of unpaid care being provided annually by loved ones and other unpaid caregivers. In 2024, that unpaid care was valued at another $413 billion. 

While researchers continue to make great strides, there are still no survivors of Alzheimer’s. Your tax-deductible contribution to Marilyn's Legacy can help change that. Thank you for your support.

*Updated Nov 2025. Statistics provided by the Alzheimer's Association (https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/facts-figures).