Long-term care planning is an important part of overall retirement planning. Seniors face the uncertainty of a possible need for help with some aspect of their daily living activities due to accident or physical or mental health decline. And the latter problem is disturbingly common. According to the University of Michigan one in ten adults over age 65 in the U.S. has some form of dementia, and that number increases to 35% for those over age 90.

Dr. Maria Carrillo, chief science officer of the Alzheimer’s Association, covered the latest research and findings in dementia science at the Intercompany Long-Term Care Insurance Conference Association (ILTCi) annual conference held earlier this year. Here is a brief summary of some of the key statistics and learnings as reported by Margie Barrie, the author of two books on long-term care and an attendee at the conference.

First a sobering statistic: one out of three seniors will die with some form of dementia.

Alzheimer’s is the most prevalent form of dementia, and symptoms do not appear for as long as 20 years after the disease first materializes in the brain. That explains why it is diagnosed more commonly in seniors than in younger adults, although it is not limited to the former. Symptoms have been detected in people as young as 50 years old.

People age 65 and older survive on average about four to eight years following an Alzheimer’s diagnosis, although some have lived as long as twenty additional years. Beyond age 80, 75% of Alzheimer’s patients end up in nursing homes, the most expensive source of long-term care. By contrast only 4% of those in that age group with other medical conditions require that same level of care.

Women represent almost two-thirds of all Americans with Alzheimer’s. They are also much more likely to be an Alzheimer’s caregiver.

Carrillo also estimated that Alzheimer’s cost to the U.S. economy amounted to $345 billion in 2023, greater than the cost of most other diseases.

Although there is currently no cure, research in diagnosing the disease has made great strides. It is now possible to detect the early onset of Alzheimer’s by measuring the brain level of a Tau protein via commercially available blood tests and amyloid buildup via PET scans. Even better: by avoiding known risk factors you can prevent dementia (or at least delay its onset). One of the most important ways to avoid it is to take steps to limit your blood pressure to under 125.

Other ways to protect yourself from developing dementia include exercising the cognitive function of your brain, such as learning a new language or doing puzzles and brain teasers as well as interacting with others. Sleeping well, remaining active, and eating the right foods will all also help mitigate the risk. And it probably goes without saying that avoiding smoking and maintaining a healthy weight will not only help avoid dementia but also other conditions such as diabetes.

There is currently no single risk factor that can predict dementia. But in future Carrillo expects the most effective treatment will likely combine both risk-reduction strategies and new medications. I find that quite encouraging.

(PERIGON is a registered investment adviser. More information about the firm can be found in its Form ADV Part 2, which is available upon request by calling 877-977-2555 or by emailing compliance@perigonwealth.com).