By 
In 1983 President Ronald Reagan designated November as National Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month to raise awareness for Alzheimer’s disease. 34 years later, the number of people with this disease has reached unimaginable heights with more than 5.5 million Americans living with the disease today. This number continues to rise. Here are other facts about the disease provided by Alzheimer's Association:
- By 2050, 16 million Americans could have Alzheimer's
- 15 million Americans provide unpaid care for people with Alzheimer's or other dementias
- Alzheimer's and other dementias will cost the nation $289 billion this year
- 1 in 3 seniors die with Alzheimer's or another dementia
- Alzheimer's disease is the sixth-leading cause of death in the United States
Serving families affected by Alzheimer's or another form of dementia is a large part of what elder law attorneys do. Families are many times overwhelmed with the care needed for their loved one and do not always know their options. It's important for these families to seek the advice from an attorney to have the proper documents and agreements.
Use National Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month to get out into your community and inform families they are not alone in this journey and you can help. Have an open house at your law firm and invite professionals in the geriatric community to your office to share your stories and experiences with them so they can help point their clients to someone that can help get their legal documents and long-term care plan in order.
