Alzheimer’s Hitting Women the Hardest

I was surprised to learn that Alzheimer’s is more likely to strike women in their 60s than breast cancer. Today, Alzheimer’s is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States.

Every 67 seconds someone in the United States develops Alzheimer’s disease, and it’s taking a heavier toll on women than men, according to new information released by the Alzheimer’s Association in March.

The “2014 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures” [PDF] report found that women age 65 have a one in six chance of developing the disease, a type of dementia that causes problems with memory, thinking, and behavior. Meanwhile, men the same age have a one in 11 chance of developing the disease. Women in their 60s are also twice as likely to develop Alzheimer’s than breast cancer over the rest of their lives.

The news release included information on how the disease is impacting women in the workplace differently as well. I found managing a full-time position and caring for my parents, my family and myself overwhelming. Those of us in the sandwich generation can’t argue with these figures:

The heavy toll Alzheimer’s takes on women also reaches into the workplace, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. Among caregivers who were also employed while providing care:
• Twenty percent of women, compared to 3 percent of men, went from working full-time to part-time.
• Eighteen percent of women, as opposed to 11 percent of men, took a leave of absence from work.
• Eleven percent of women versus 5 percent of men gave up work entirely.
• Ten percent of women compared to 5 percent of men lost job benefits.

To read the full story, visit Women Are Hardest Hit by Alzheimer’s Disease. Believed. 

To get some ideas on how to fight back, visit the Dr. Oz show from April 1, 2014. That’s me in the blue shirt talking with Dr. Oz.