Why Alzheimer’s and Dementia is Rising So Quickly in Arizona

My grandmother was an incredible conversationalist. She would weave stories about her childhood growing up in Europe during World War II.

Gran did the newspaper's daily crossword puzzle in pen. She read constantly and could beat me at Scrabble and myriad other word games, as if I were a toddler with a limited vocabulary.

She ignited my passion for words, but she was always better at words and word games than I was, always keeping me on my toes and challenging me to grow.

My grandmother was amazing; she was sharp, funny, and full of life. Then, a curtain began to descend, slowly at first, stealing her away a little at a time. Losing her to Alzheimer’s felt like watching a bright sunset drain to gray. First, it was small slips; then her stories vanished, and eventually, familiar faces morphed into strangers.

With our aging state population, it’s a heartbreak that too many Arizona families can relate to.

READ: Arizona Discusses the Impact of Today’s Social Media?

Arizona’s Alzheimer’s Crisis Is Growing Faster Than Most States

Arizona isn’t just aging, it’s aging faster than almost anywhere else. More than 151,500 Arizonans 65+ are living with Alzheimer’s, about 11% of the state’s older population, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. That’s higher than many states with similar demographics.

Even more alarming: Alzheimer’s deaths in Arizona have risen over 150% since 2000, one of the steepest increases in the country, CDC Data confirms.

Caregiver strain is also intense. The Alzheimer’s Association says Arizona has more than 242,000 unpaid caregivers who provide 379 million hours of care each year, a burden that ranks among the nation’s heaviest.

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Why Alzheimer's Rates are Worse in Arizona

When it comes to cognitive decline, rates in Arizona are much higher than in most places in the nation. There are several factors that push Arizona’s rates higher than the national average:

• A booming retiree population
• Longer life expectancy
• Rapid population growth
• Rural healthcare shortages are growing. Arizona had only 115 geriatricians in 2021.

Communities like Sierra Vista feel the strain more keenly, where access to specialists is limited, and families shoulder most of the care.

Read Also: How Aging In Arizona Affects Alzheimer's Rates And Families

The Impact on Arizona

It was tough watching my grandmother fade before my eyes. Families across our state are living with the reality of this terrible illness every day. To me, Alzheimer’s Disease is far more than a statistic or an abstract concept, and if you’re supporting loved ones with this condition, my heart goes out to you.