Working Staves Off Alzheimer’s And Long-Term Care Needs

Researchers examined medical records of men whose Alzheimer’s symptoms emerged around age 75.  They found that all other factors being equal, the symptoms were delayed about seven weeks for each extra year the men worked. 

“Perhaps it’s evidence that if you don’t use it, you’ll lose it,” stated Jesse Slome, Executive Director of the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance (AALTCI).  Alzheimer’s disease creates the longest and most costly need for long term health care the organization reports.

Some 5.3 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s and every 70 seconds someone else develops Alzheimer’s. The direct and indirect costs of Alzheimer’s and other dementias to Medicare, Medicaid and businesses amount to more than $148 billion each year.  Over a fourth of long-term care insurance claims (27%) are for Alzheimer’s according to AALTCI.  “It’s also the leading cause for home care claims accounting for nearly a fifth (17%) of all claims,” Slome explains. 

An AARP survey found that financial need by older Americans was the number one reason for staying in the workforce.  Additional high-ranking reasons included staying active and psychological benefits.  One in five respondents indicated non-financial reasons including appreciating the sense of usefulness.

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