Dementia Will Cost the U.S. $800 Billion in 2026 Alone
Summary
A new study led by USC estimates that dementia will cost the U.S. about $818 billion in 2026. This number includes medical care, lost earnings, unpaid caregiving, and declines in quality of life for patients and their families.Key Facts
- The study estimates 5.7 million Americans will have dementia in 2026, mostly people aged 65 and older.
- The biggest cost, $320 billion, comes from reduced quality of life for people with dementia.
- Family and friends provide 6.8 billion hours of unpaid care yearly, valued at $237 billion.
- Medical and long-term care expenses total $222 billion, with Medicare and Medicaid paying about 70%.
- Patients and families pay roughly $46 billion out of their own pockets.
- People with dementia and their caregivers lose $23 billion yearly in earnings.
- Early detection and lifestyle changes may reduce dementia cases and lower costs.
- The research is funded by the National Institute on Aging and uses detailed modelling to estimate costs.
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