Brookwood Baptist Health Promotes Brain Health During Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month
Jun 12, 2020Recent report shows number of commercially insured U.S. residents diagnosed with early onset dementia and Alzheimer’s rose by 200%, underscoring why testing and treatment should not be delayed
BIRMINGHAM, ALA. – The COVID-19 pandemic has been stressful for all, but it may be worse, and very confusing, for those who are experiencing signs and symptoms of Alzheimer’s or dementia. In June, during Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month, Brookwood Baptist Health hospitals want to raise awareness and promote brain health and the importance of early diagnosis and treatment of any kind of brain related disorder.
Underscoring the need for greater awareness of brain health and timely treatment is a recent report issued by Blue Cross Blue Shield Association that shows the number of commercially insured U.S. residents diagnosed with early onset dementia and Alzheimer’s disease rose by 200% from 2013 to 2017, and the average age of a person living with either condition was 49.
The report, titled, “Early-Onset Dementia and Alzheimer’s Rates Grow for Younger American Adults,” states that, in 2017, about 131,000 people between the ages 30 and 64 were diagnosed with either early onset dementia or Alzheimer’s. That’s an increase from 4.2 diagnoses for every 10,000 adults in 2013, to 12.6 diagnoses per 100,000 in 2017.
“This study illustrates the need to be mindful of the signs of dementia and Alzheimer’s at any age and not to ignore even the earliest of indications that someone may be cognitively impaired, especially during this COVID-19 pandemic when people are out of their regular routines due to social distancing,” said Tim Puthoff, chief executive officer of Brookwood Baptist Health. “If you notice that a loved one’s cognitive behavior has changed over the course of the pandemic, it’s important to seek medical care immediately. Our community can rest assured that we have the protocols in place to safely evaluate patients, which include completely separate pathways for the care of COVID positive patients, and appropriate personal protective equipment.”
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, nearly six million people are living with Alzheimer’s disease. By 2050, the number of people projected to have some form of Alzheimer’s is nearly 14 million adults. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, some individuals may be hesitant to leave their homes, and may not realize that their disease has progressed, which can cause a disruption in daily life.