American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance

Studies have shown that SCI is experienced by between one-quarter and one-half of the population over the age of 65.  Research published in the January 11, 2010, issue of the journal Alzheimer’s & Dementia, finds that healthy older adults reporting SCI are 4.5 times more likely to progress to the more advanced memory-loss stages of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or dementia than those free of SCI. 

An estimated 5.1 million Americans have Alzheimer’s disease according to the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance,  Every 72 seconds someone develops Alzheimer’s which is the leading and most costly long-term care condition. 

The long-term study completed by researchers at New York University tracked 213 adults with and without SCI over an average of seven years, with data collection taking nearly two decades. Further cognitive decline to MCI or dementia was observed in 54 percent of SCI persons, while only in 15 percent of persons free of SCI. 

Experts note that this is the first study to use mild cognitive impairment as well as dementia as an outcome criterion to demonstrate the outcome of SCI as a possible forerunner of eventual Alzheimer’s disease.  The findings indicate that a significant percentage of people with early subjective symptoms may experience further cognitive decline, whereas few persons without these symptoms decline. If decline does occur in those without SCI symptoms, it takes considerably longer than for those with subjective cognitive symptoms. 

Scientists and physicians can now target the prevention of eventual Alzheimer’s disease in the SCI stage, beginning more than 20 years before dementia becomes evident.

Tags: Alzheimer's disease, American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance, dementia, long term care, long-term care insurance, LTC, Medicare, nursing home, nursing home cost, planning, research, statistics, study

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