Florida's Alzheimer's numbers rank among highest in the country
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About 12.5% of Floridians over 65 are living with Alzheimer's, according to 2020 data shared in a new Alzheimer's Association report.
- That's about 580,000 cases.
Why it matters: More than 7 million seniors now live with Alzheimer's in the U.S., according to the report — the highest number ever recorded — but addressing cognitive decline early can help stave off the disease.
By the numbers: Almost two-thirds of Americans with Alzheimer's are women, according to data cited in the report.
- Risk increases with age: 5.1% of people aged 65 - 74 have it; and 33.4% of people 85 and older have it, per the report.
Zoom out: The highest rates of seniors with Alzheimer's are in D.C. (16.8%), Maryland (12.9%), and New York (12.7%), according to the Alzheimer's Association.
Warning signs to watch for in high-risk age groups:
- Trouble finding the right word.
- Difficulty judging distances.
- Misplacing things and struggling to retrace steps.
Between the lines: "If you're seeing patterns of these types of signs over an extended period of time," that could signal it's time to see a health care provider about cognitive decline, Eichenberger says.
- If symptoms appear suddenly, however, that could be a sign of a different issue.
- Read about more signs and symptoms of dementia here.