So, like, there are over seven million Americans now living with Alzheimer’s disease, and apparently more than 62,000 of them are from Iowa. A recent survey shows that people are starting to see Alzheimer’s in a different light, which is kinda interesting.
Lauren Livingston, who speaks for the Alzheimer’s Association Iowa Chapter, says that almost four out of five folks surveyed would want to know if they had Alzheimer’s before it started messing with their lives. She mentions that we’re getting closer to having a test that’s widely available.
“There’s this blood test that’s being used in some hospitals and doctors’ offices around Des Moines right now. They’re using it along with other tests like PET scans, cognitive screenings, and blood tests. So, it’s becoming easier to diagnose, but there’s still no one hundred percent guarantee way to do it yet,” Livingston explains.
The survey also found that most people would be down for treatment, even if it comes with some risks, as long as it can slow down the disease. Livingston points out that the cost of these medications is coming down, which is good news.
“There are two FDA-approved treatments out there at the moment. They’re both infusion treatments and how much you pay for them depends on your insurance situation. Medicare is covering the cost of these medications at a higher rate now, so it’s not as crazy expensive as it used to be. You won’t have to shell out tens of thousands of dollars for them,” Livingston adds.
Over at Broadlawns Medical Center in Des Moines, more than 30 people are getting treated with these medications to prevent Alzheimer’s, and it seems like they’re having success with minimal side effects. The survey shows that eighty percent of Americans believe there will be new treatments to halt Alzheimer’s progression in the next ten years, and sixty-six percent think there will be ways to prevent it soon.
Livingston expresses the Alzheimer’s Association’s commitment to boosting research funding and hopes the government will follow suit. She believes that with continued funding, there’s a good chance we’ll have a way to prevent and cure Alzheimer’s within the next decade.
Even though there are over 62,000 Iowans living with Alzheimer’s, the report also mentions that there are 80,000 caregivers in Iowa who provide a whopping 118 million hours of unpaid care each year, valued at $2.7 billion.
If you wanna check out the full 2025 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures Report, you can find it on alz.org/facts.
So, yeah, Alzheimer’s is a pretty big deal and it looks like things are starting to change for the better. Let’s hope we can find a way to kick this disease to the curb once and for all.
