We're Not Prepared for the Coming Dementia Crisis

York College Professor Ann Norwich writes in the Washington Post that the U.S. healthcare system is "grossly unprepared" for the massive numbers of people with dementia expected in coming decades. The Alzheimer's Association predicts 14 million Americans older than 65 will develop the disease by 2050. Norwich says many people have expressed a desire for a better plan that lets them stay at home and receive non-invasive treatments. "Unfortunately, many of these persons have not been given the formal diagnosis of Alzheimer's or another form of dementia," she writes. Norwich cites figures that early diagnosis of dementia could save $7.9 trillion in medical costs over multiple years and offer personalized care that includes access to medical trials, drugs to slow disease progression, active management of comorbid conditions, and the opportunity to engage in goal planning for the future. She points to the stigma surrounding dementia as a key factor in why so few people are willing to opt for early diagnosis. "I challenge all of us who are involved in diagnosing and treating people to follow the lead of the many ... who have accepted their disease with grace," Norwich urges. "Let's erase the fear surrounding this disease and lead our recipients to a timely diagnosis. It's a chance we can't afford to miss."