New Alzheimer’s Association report findings

A new report by the Alzheimer’s Association shared 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 says that the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease increases with age. According to the report, 5.1% of people aged 65-74 have Alzheimer’s and 33.4% of people aged 85 and older do.

Dr. Parichita Choudhury, a Cognitive & Behavioral Neurologist at the Banner Sun Health Research Institute, joined “Arizona Horizon” to share more insight on the report and the innovative treatment that the research institute offers.

Dr. Choudhury 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 equal to a national average, prevalence wise. However we have the fastest rate of increase, from 2020 to 2025 we have had about 33% percent increased rate of diagnosis,” Dr. Choudhury said.

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

“At least at Banner Health, we try to do grassroots effort. 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, that are programs to train them in understanding dementia and caring for people with dementia,” Dr. Choudhury said.