SYRACUSE -- A new study sheds light on a growing problem in this country: Alzheimer's disease. It's being called an epidemic and it's impacting families right here in Central New York.
Thinking about the good old days is what gets John Ryan through the tough times. Flipping through old pictures of himself and his wife as newlyweds puts a smile on his face. "Very good marriage. Very good relationship. As good as any married couple could hope for I guess," said John Ryan, who's wife is living with Alzheimer's disease. "I attribute everything I have to her," he said. Life threw them a curve ball five years ago when Claire was diagnosed with Alzheimer's. The diagnosis was devastating for John, who now visits his beloved wife in a nursing home. "I see her everyday. That's one reason she remembers me," he said.
And the Ryan's aren't alone. Every 70 seconds, someone in the U.S. develops the disease. A new report by the Alzheimer's Association finds that across the country, more than 5.3 million Americans are living with Alzheimer's. More than 45,000 are right here in Central New York. That's a 24% increase locally since 2000. "There is no way to prevent it, but we know there's a way to reduce the risk," said Jared Paventi of the Alzheimer's Association. "Living a heart healthy lifestyle for one. We know that what's good for the heart is good for the brain," he said.
And with family members like John taking care of their loved ones, there's an economic reality too. The report finds healthcare costs are three times higher for people with Alzheimer's or another form of dementia. It's a $184 billion burden to the healthcare system. And it's local families like the Ryan's who are left feeling the emotional and economic toll of it all. "As a caregiver, it's stressful, very very stressful. You feel guilty all the time and the caregivers group helps you get rid of some of that," Ryan said.
The Ryan's will celebrate their 53rd wedding anniversary next month. John has found some peace, as he clings to his beautiful memories of the way things were. And he's reminded of his one true love everyday, as he looks at a note Claire left him when she was first diagnosed, telling John she will always love him. "I think back to the wonderful times. Yeah, I think that has a lot to do with it," Ryan said.
Alzheimer's is now the 6th leading cause of death in the United States, surpassing diabetes. And with people living longer these days, more are expected to develop Alzheimer's, putting a strain on their families and state budgets.
