Total healthcare costs are more than three times higher for people with Alzheimer’s and other dementias than for other people age 65 and over, according to the Alzheimer’s Association’s 2009 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures, released March 24, 2009.

In the new report, total healthcare costs are calculated as per person payments from all sources. Medicare payments alone are almost three times higher for people with Alzheimer’s and dementia than for others over age 65; Medicaid payments alone are more than nine times higher.

On Sunday, April 19 the Greater Illinois Chapter will host the inaugural Race to Reverse 5K in Lombard, Illinois. “We currently have more than 75 runners signed up for this event and are very excited to have local celebrity Angi Taylor from 103.5 KISS FM’s wildly popular Drex in the Morning show running with us in this race,” said Kim Oakley, manager of athletic events for the Chapter. “Angi has agreed to help us raise funds in our fight against this devastating disease.”

Throughout April, May and June the Greater Illinois Chapter will be providing several opportunities for family and professional caregivers to learn and share their knowledge. From Chicago to Carterville and Bloomington to Joliet the Greater Illinois Chapter is committed to providing state-of-the-art presentations and up-to-date information on Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias.

As we start to emerge from the long and cold winter the Greater Illinois Chapter has the perfect opportunity to celebrate! We are hosting several spring events throughout our 68-county service area. These inspirational and uplifting events will help shape an atmosphere of hope while funding vital community educational programs and services.

Alzheimer’s disease is fairly common among older adults but it is relatively rare among middle-aged people. However, so called “young onset” Alzheimer’s disease is a large and growing problem among people with Down Syndrome, a genetic birth disorder that results in a variety of developmental disabilites. Until recently, people with Down Syndrome did not live to middle-age due to a host of medical complications. Improvements in diagnosis, treatment and care have extended longevity in this population, although life expectancy is still just 56 years. In a sense, people with Down Syndrome experience premature aging.

On Wednesday, March 18 more than 90 advocates from the Illinois Network of the Alzheimer’s Association arrived in Springfield to talk to our legislators about issues affecting those who have Alzheimer’s disease and their families.

This May, tune into “The Alzheimer’s Project,” HBO's four-part documentary series that examines groundbreaking Alzheimer discoveries made by the country’s leading scientists and the effects this debilitating and fatal disease has on those with Alzheimer’s and their families.

Alzheimer’s disease is the sixth leading cause of death among those 65 and older according to a recent study conducted by the Alzheimer’s Association National Office. The Greater Illinois Chapter is committed to finding a cure for this devastating disease. In May we are launching the Forget Me Not Pin-Up Program across our 68-county service area.

Make a difference in the lives of the 210,000 Illinois residents living with Alzheimer’s disease! The Alzheimer’s Association – Greater Illinois Chapter is on the MOVE to raise $2 million this year for the fight against Alzheimer’s disease. The Alzheimer's Association Memory Walk® is the nation's largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer care, support and research – and it calls on volunteers of all ages to become champions in the fight against this fatal disease. Since 1989, Memory Walk has raised more than $260 million nationally for the cause. The Greater Illinois Chapter will host 12 walks in 2009, but walks are held in nearly 600 locations nationwide.

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