New Alzheimer’s Association report findings

A new report by the Alzheimer’s Association found that 7 million seniors in the U.S. have Alzheimer’s disease, the highest number ever recorded.

In Arizona, the report also stated that one in nine seniors have Alzheimer’s disease.

The Alzheimer’s Association report also said the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease increases with age. According to the report, 5.1% of people aged 65 to 74 have Alzheimer’s and 33.4% of people aged 85 and older have it.

Dr. Parichita Choudhury, Cognitive and Behavioral Neurologist at the Banner Sun Health Research Institute, joined “Arizona Horizon” to share more insight on the report and the innovative treatment the research institute offers. Dr. Choudhury also spoke about the results of the report, specifically how it relates to Arizona.

“Every year, the Alzheimer’s Association comes out with a facts and figures sort of report, and while the percentage of people over the age of 65 is at 11%, Arizona is equal to a national average, prevalence wise. However, we have the fastest rate of increase; from 2020 to 2025, we have had about a 33% percent increased rate of diagnosis,” Dr. Choudhury said.

Dr. Choudhury said Banner Health is working to increase the workforce to care for those with dementia.

“At least at Banner Health, we try to do grassroots efforts. So we try to recruit folks at all stages of training into dementia care. But also we want to train other folks that are already working in nursing homes and things like that. There are programs to train them in understanding dementia and caring for people with dementia,” Dr. Choudhury said.