Senile Dementia and Healthcare in America: An Appeal for Wellness

Abstract

The number of Americans over the age of 65 is expected to increase dramatically in the coming years due to the aging of the Baby Boomers. This significant increase of the elderly has raised public health concerns over rising incidences of senile dementia in the future. Senile dementia describes a group of diseases that causes progressive cognitive decline in the elderly. Common diseases include Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, and Dementia with Lewy Bodies. Today, approximately 5.2 million Americans suffer from dementia. In 2025, the number of Americans with dementia is expected to increase to 7.1 million. There is currently no cure for dementia, and many of the treatments that are available on the market are ineffective in slowing down the disease. People with dementia and their families face high health care costs, and caregivers face high levels of stress and burden. In an effort to deal with the emerging health care crisis, President Obama signed into law the National Alzheimer’s Project Act, which seeks to invest over $100 million dollars in research dedicated to developing better treatments and support services for people with dementia and their families. The National Alzheimer’s Project Act addresses key problems in treating dementia in the U.S. However, the plan does not emphasize the positive lifestyle choices baby boomers can take now in delaying or preventing Alzheimer’s and related dementias. I further propose a public policy that promotes wellness and healthy living among older adults as a way to combat dementia in the future.