Illinois Business Journal - Alzheimer's high cost for businesses

Alzheimer's disease is one of the leading causes of emotional and financial devastation, costing U.S. companies billions of dollars in the workplace.

The St. Louis chapter of the Alzheimer's Association, an agency that covers 11 counties in Illinois, says Alzheimer's disease is the third most expensive disease in the U.S., followed by heart disease and cancer.

Businesses had once thought the disease and its effects merely afflicted the victims and their caregivers. But that's all changed.

Businesses both small and large have discovered they are not immune to the financial effects associated with the disease. Companies are collectively spending billions replacing caregivers who leave the workplace or take a leave of absence, using temporary employment agencies and continuing health coverage for those on leave.

Stephanie Rohlfs-Young, education manager with the St. Louis chapter of the Alzheimer's Association, said the biggest problem is early diagnosis.

"Many people put off going to the doctor, but research shows that treatment after early detection is most effective," Rohlfs-Young said. "Many people believe memory loss is just a part of getting older. We now know that's not necessarily the case."

For people who experience significant memory loss, she said, there is likely a disease that's causing it - and those individuals, at minimum, should be evaluated by a qualified physician.

"It's important to also note that research is showing us people probably have the onset (of Alzheimer's) as early as three to four years, or even six years, before symptoms appear," she said. "That indicates the disease may be in a person for a long time before he decides to go to his physician for diagnosis."

Rohlfs-Young said there are four Alzheimer's treatments available now; these treatments are most effective when they're initiated very early in the disease.

"We encourage people to go to their doctor as soon as possible in order to manage the symptoms of the illness and keep the person's quality of life as high as possible for as long as possible," she said.

One of the unfortunate hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease is the length of time it affects an individual. Experts say that on average, the span of time from diagnosis to death can total eight to 10 years, leaving victims' families devastated both emotionally and financially.

According to the Alzheimer's Association, the average lifetime cost in terms of care for one Alzheimer patient is $174,000. And with the aging baby boomer population, the number of Americans being sidelined with this disease is projected to increase to 14 million by 2050.

Rohlfs-Young said another Alzheimer's myth is that it is a disease found only in older people.

"Businesses tend to think that the disease only affects the older population," she said. "But we know that the baby boom generation is one of the fastest growing generations that is actually getting the disease. The impact of Alzheimer's is not only felt by the caregiver, but also by the relatively young individual - who may be in his 40s or 50s - who is diagnosed with Early Onset Alzheimer's, a form of the disease."

Families and caregivers understand firsthand the devastation caused by the disease. Statistics show that family members and friends provide 85 percent of all home care.

On an even more difficult level, statistics estimate 20 percent to 40 percent of caregivers are raising children while simultaneously caring for older adults.

Businesses are starting to feel those effects as well.

"What we know in terms of cost to businesses is that they are losing $33 billion annually due to absences, lost productivity in the workplace and total cost of care," Rohlfs-Young said.

Jan Costello, communications director for the Illinois Department on Aging, said Alzheimer's disease is something caregivers live with every minute of every day.

The term "caregiver" includes more than just the adult children of an elderly person, she said.

"A caregiver can be a friend or neighbor who helps with shopping, taking the Alzheimer's patient to the doctor, preparing meals or cleaning house," Costello said. "You are a caregiver if a senior relies on you to provide unpaid help with day-to-day activities."

Costello said there are 25 million caregivers in the United States. In fact, she said, one out of four households nationwide is involved in caregiving for someone 50 years or older.

"One of the most crippling things about Alzheimer's, beyond the fact that the victim loses memory and identity, is that the disease can be as demanding as a 36-hour day," Costello said. "The victim may not know it, but certainly the family caregiver is well aware of the difficulty. It's a journey that is very difficult and draining, physically, emotionally and financially."

Because of the stress involved in caregiving for Alzheimer's patients, the "human costs" are even larger than the financial costs, according to the Alzheimer's Association.

A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that the stress of caregiving could be fatal. Scientists from the University of Pittsburgh found that elderly people caring for their spouses were 63 percent more likely to die than their counterparts who were not caregivers. The study said caregivers suffering from higher levels of depression were less likely to exercise and get sufficient rest, and were less likely to visit a physician when they became ill.

Many families find no other choice but to place their loved one in care facilities and nursing homes in order to be able to continue working.

"General assisted living promotes maximum independence while providing support service such as three meals a day along with laundry and housekeeping services to reduce the stress and demands of everyday responsibilities for individuals who are aging or experiencing more frail health," said Marilynn MacZura, director of Weston Terrace at The United Methodist Village in Godfrey. "Services are also available to assist with personal needs such as medication reminders, bathing and grooming."

Helping a loved one make a decision about moving to a new home later in life is not easy, MacZura said, and is often met with opposition.

"However, our experience makes it clear that the quality of life for the aging parent and adult child is greatly improved when help is provided in an assisted living home environment," she said. "Because the 'chores' are taken care of by staff, family time becomes more relaxed, supportive and nurturing as the disease process of Alzheimer's evolves."

For those in need of caregiving support, Costello said support groups are especially helpful in providing assistance and the ability to discuss problems with others who understand the situation first-hand.