Tag Archives for brain health

National Report: Brain Health Matters to Most, But Understanding Falls Short

Published in RINewsToday on April 27, 2026

As with the findings detailed in previous reports, the numbers in the Alzheimer’s Association’s recently released 2026 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures report are jarring.

In 2026, about 7.4 million Americans aged 65 and older, or roughly 1 in 9, are living with Alzheimer’s disease. Nearly three-quarters are 75 or older, and almost two-thirds are women.

As these numbers continue to rise, the challenges ahead grow even more daunting.  We see the graying of the U.S. population, which has resulted in the number of people living with Alzheimer’s rising sharply, says the report. By 2030, all baby boomers, those born between 1946 and 1964, will be in higher-risk age groups for developing devastating cognitive disorders.  By 2060, Americans with Alzheimer’s could reach 13.8 million.

Over the years, the Facts and Figures reports have become the nation’s primary source of statistics and analysis on Alzheimer’s and other dementias.  The report has been published every year since 2007, and this year’s edition also appears in the April 2026 issue of Alzheimer’s & Dementia®, the Association’s journal.

The 142-page report, released last week, provides updated national and state-level data. Its findings suggest that Alzheimer’s has become more common and challenging for caregivers. The report remains a guiding roadmap for state and federal officials and researchers to combat this serious cognitive disorder.  It also includes a special survey about how Americans aged 40 and older think about and manage brain health.

“The latest data show Alzheimer’s is still a growing challenge for families in Rhode Island,” said Laura Hoffman, executive director of the Alzheimer’s Association’s Connecticut and Rhode Island chapters, in a statement announcing the report’s release on April 21, 2026. “That’s why it’s critical to keep progressing research and developing treatments that can improve outcomes and support everyone facing the disease,” she says.

Hoffman stressed that the nationwide crisis demands urgent action now, given the mounting financial burden on caregivers. This year, professional care for people with Alzheimer’s and other dementias is expected to cost $409 billion. By 2050, Hoffman warns, this figure could reach nearly $1 trillion.

Caregiving is still mostly handled by family and friends, the report notes. Nearly 13 million relatives and friends provided more than 19 billion hours of unpaid care last year. The value of their efforts is estimated to be a whopping $446 billion.

The report noted that Alzheimer’s is also a growing cause of death.  Since 2000, deaths from the progressive g cognitive disorder have surged by 134%. In the same period, deaths from heart disease have risen by only 3.8%. Today, Alzheimer’s takes more lives than breast and prostate cancers combined.

Rhode Island: By the Numbers

According to the report’s Rhode Island-specific data, about 22,000 Rhode Islanders aged 65 and older are living with Alzheimer’s disease.  That’s 11.4% of this population group. Another 37,000 people serve as caregivers — many are unpaid family members or friends. So roughly 1 in every 30 Rhode Islanders is caring for someone with the cognitive condition. Together, they provide 53 million hours of unpaid care, valued at $1.5 billion.

In 2025, the State’s Medicaid costs of caring for persons with Alzheimer’s and other Dementias totaled around $ 640 million. Per-capita Medicare spending for these individuals was $33,705, according to the report.

Recently, Rhode Island’s care network relied on just 32 geriatricians and about 8,070 home health and personal care aides to support persons with Alzheimer’s and dementia. To keep up with rising demand for dementia care, Rhode Island’s workforce must expand. The state requires a 23.9% increase in home health aide roles by 2032 and an 18.8% increase in specialist geriatricians by 2050, according to the report.

When comparing national and Ocean State-specific data, Hoffman, who heads the Alzheimer’s Association’s Connecticut and Rhode Island chapters, notes that the nation’s smallest state has the same rising trend in Alzheimer’s prevalence, increasing caregiver burden, and growing strain on health systems.  “As a smaller, aging state, these trends will be felt even more. The impact on families, providers, and community resources is both visible and immediate,” she says.

Hoffman calls for more dementia care professionals across the long-term care continuum. “There is also a need for more respite care, adult day programs, and long-term options that are equipped to treat complex Alzheimer’s or dementia cases,” suggests Hoffman, to fill gaps in providing services, supports, or workforce capacity to care for Alzheimer’s and dementia patients.

With the General Assembly now in session, Hoffman is urging lawmakers to pass HB 7542 or SB 2874, which establishes a Dementia Services Coordinator position within the Department of Health. “This state agency position will support the work of the Advisory Council on Alzheimer’s Disease Research and Treatment, oversee implementation of the state Alzheimer’s plan, and serve as a liaison between state agencies, the governor, the legislature, and external stakeholders,” she says.

Understanding and Sustaining Cognitive Health

The Alzheimer’s Association’s 2026 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures report comes with a special report, Brain Health in America: Comprehending and Supporting Lifelong Cognitive Health. It is based on a survey of more than 3,800 U.S. adults aged 40 and older.

The special report’s findings show a clear disconnect: most Americans see brain health as a top priority, equal to or even more important than physical health, yet many are unsure how to protect it.

“Americans care deeply about their brain health and recognize that midlife is a critical time to take action,” said Heather M. Snyder, Ph.D., the Association’s senior vice president of Medical and Scientific Relations. “But many don’t know where to start and are looking for clear, practical guidance,” she says.

Almost all respondents said keeping their brains healthy is important, but only 9% feel well informed about it. Many know that sleep, diet, and exercise matter, but fewer people clearly understand how these habits might lower the risk of dementia.

Many respondents expressed concern about their potential declining cognitive health. More than two-thirds of those surveyed admit they worry about their brain health and the chance of developing Alzheimer’s or another dementia. Still, fewer than half of these individuals strongly link healthy lifestyle habits with lowering that risk.

The special report’s findings also reveal that interest in prevention programs is high, but barriers to participation remain. About 73% would consider joining brain health programs, such as cognitive exercises, health monitoring, nutrition advice, or physical activity. However, the program’s cost, location, motivation, and insurance coverage are major obstacles to participation.

Respondents also said they want flexible options. About 40% prefer self-guided programs at home, while 38% like blended formats that mix independent and in-person participation. Only 8% prefer fully in-person programs.

Many say midlife, ages 35 to 64, is a key time for them to act. Nearly two in five respondents think people should start focusing on brain health during these years. Almost half believe formal programs should begin then. About one-third also said brain health should be a lifelong pursuit.

Even with a strong interest, many people say they do not talk often with health care providers about brain health. Two-thirds of respondents said they would like to discuss brain health with their physician.  Most would welcome these talks during regular office visits. Most would welcome these conversations during routine office visits. Still, only a small percentage say they have actually had them.

“These outcomes show a real opportunity to better integrate brain health into routine care,” Snyder said. People are motivated to protect their brain health, but they need clear, effective guidance, she says.

Snyder sees a wider, clear message in the report: Brain health is a lifelong priority, not just a concern in older age, she says. “By connecting efforts across individuals, communities, workplaces, and health care systems, we could support cognitive health and help reduce dementia risk,” she adds.

A Final Note…

With this year’s Alzheimer’s Facts and Figures report released, Hoffman also sees a clear takeaway for Rhode Islanders: “Brain health matters at every stage of life. Take steps now—stay active, eat well, get enough sleep, remain socially engaged, and talk to your healthcare provider about memory concerns,”  she adds.

The Alzheimer’s Association is expanding efforts with community and research partners to deliver evidence-based information and programs. These projects are informed in part by the landmark U.S. POINTER study, which continues to explore how lifestyle interventions may help protect cognitive function.

If you have any questions about Alzheimer’s or any other form of dementia, contact the Alzheimer’s Association 24-7 Helpline at 1/ 800-272-3900.

For a copy of the Alzheimer’s Association’s 2026 Facts and Figures Report, go to Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures

For a copy of this year’s Brain Health in America special report, go to Brain Health in America: Understanding and Supporting Lifelong Cognitive Health.

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For details about the U.S. POINTER study, to https://www.alz.org/us-pointer/study-results

First Senate Aging Committee hearing of new congress looks at wellness

Published in RINewsToday on February 3, 2025

Over a week after the 119th Congress began on Friday, Jan. 3, U.S. Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) took the reins of the U.S. Special Committee on Aging, becoming its 20thchairman. He follows in the footsteps of former Chairman Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.), a 3-term Democratic Senator, who lost his reelection bid for a fourth term to Republican Dave McCormick. a West Point graduate, combat veteran and bronze star recipient, a national security, expert, and former hedge fund manager.

On Wednesday afternoon, on Jan. 15 in SD 106, Scott chaired the first Senate Aging Committee hearing of the new Congress, entitled “Improving Wellness Among Seniors: Setting a Standard for the American Dream.” The hearing, lasting two hours and seven minutes, put the spotlight on America’s senior health, personal and community safety and the benefits of socializing and working later in life. 

While established in 1961 as a temporary committee, the Senate Aging Committee became a permanent Senate committee in 1977.  Over the years, aging advocates say that committee has operated in a bipartisan manor.  And the Florida Senator says he will carry on this tradition.

In his opening statement, the Republican Chairman stressed that aging is not a partisan issue. “Whether or not we’d like to admit it or note, we are all aging, and it impacts every single one of us regardless of political party” he said.

“I believe we have a big opportunity in this Committee to work in a bipartisan manner to support and improve the lives of America’s current senior citizens and create change that will improve both the lifespan and health span of future generations, said Chairman Scott, pledging that he and his staff will “work together with all the members here to find common ground and ways we can advance or shared goals.”

As chairman, Scott’s goals are to make sure every senior can say that they are physically healthy, financially secure, live in a safe community and has family and community support. “If you have all four of these things, your senior years can be the best time of your life,” he notes.

Sen. Kristin Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), the ranking member who has served on the Senate Aging Committee since 2009, congratulated Scott for assuming his chairmanship position, “I look forward to working closely with you during this Congress,” she said, in her opening statement.

According to the Democratic Senator, the Senate Aging Committee has a long history of bipartisanship. “I hope we continue that tradition to advance an agenda that makes sure our loved ones can age with the support they need and with dignity and respect,” she said.

Gillibrand reported that she hopes to continue working on lower prescription drug costs, continuing to guard against financial scams, and protecting programs that older adults and people with disabilities rely on, such as Social Security, Medicaid, and Medicare. 

The ranking member noted that this hearing would address how to promote wellness among older adults. “We’ll address issues like accessible housing, financial security, and engagement with the community,” she said, the importance of giving people the tools to live and age well. “Those tools are different for everyone, but include resources like nutrition assistance programs, Area Agencies on Aging, Centers for Independent Living, supportive housing programs, Medicare and Medicaid, and Social Security,” she added.  

 Ways to Improve the Health and Wellness of the Nation’s Seniors

During his testimony, Sheriff Bill Prummell rattled off a list of proactive and effective ways that the Sheriff’s Office serves and protects seniors and disabled adults residing in Charlottee County, Florida.  Prummell shared a number of innovative programs with the Senators that could easily be replicated throughout the nation.  

Here are just a few…

According to Prummell, who serves as President of the Florida Sheriff’s Association, his office utilizes trained volunteers to reach out weekly to isolated age 60 and over seniors and disabled adults. The volunteers get to know these individuals thru their weekly phone calls, by giving them Christmas gifts and mailing birthday cards to these individuals on that special date, too. 

Meanwhile, Prummell noted that efforts like Project Lifesaver (using GPS tracking bracelets to locate wanderers) and DNA Scent Kits (enabling participants to keep a DNA scent article at home to be used by K9 Deputies) to assist his deputies in finding missing wanderers.  

And, Operation Pill Drop, even allows individuals to dispose of expired or unwanted medication in drug receptacle boxes at participating district offices, he says, noting that this keeps family members and others from accessing the senior’s medication cabinet to take old and unused medications. 

While she has seen dramatic improvements in preventative and health promotion programs, “we still have a long way to go,” says Witness Maria Alvarez, Executive Director of New York Statewide Senior Action Council.  She used the Senate Aging Committee hearing as a bully pulpit to call for a 2025 White House Conference on Aging be held to “help the country chart a course for addressing the needs of the growing older population as 20 percent of this country is now over the age of 65.”

“But we cannot ignore the need to recognize that having health care and preventive services available is not sufficient if they are not affordable or if discrimination, actual or perceived persists,” Alvarez says.

According to Alvarez, along with Social Security and Medicare and Medicaid, the Older Americans Act “has had seismic effect on the elderly population. “These programs provide a framework that seniors can rely on to continue to live and thrive and live with dignity, she says.

Witness Dawn Carr, Ph.D., director of the Claude Pepper Center at Florida State University, told the attending Senators that it’s time to reframe aging policy to promote healthy aging, noting that this “will require an expansion of our current aging-related policy goals.” These goals must emphasize supporting healthy aging throughout a person’s lifespan, she said.

“It means expanding healthy aging research, improving health care literacy and access, and incentivizing health behaviors and health interventions based on optimal health function goals,” says Dr. Carr, adding that this means “thinking about viewing older people as a critical resource that improves our society, rather than as a barrier to societal progress.”

Finally, during her testimony, Professor Emerita Dr. Susan Hughes, Ph.D., in the Division of Community Health Sciences and Founding Director of the Center for Research and Health and Aging at the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) described the imitations of current funding for health promotion programs for older adults, calling for “transformational re-thinking” of a historical focus on post-acute care.  According to Dr. Hughes, this has resulted in  funding gaps in supporting long-term care and preventative programs for older adults, especially for those with chronic conditions like arthritis. 

Increased funding for wellness programs could reduce health care costs and improve out outcomes, she says, citing the success of UIC’s Fit & Strong! Program, a low cost, evidence-based intervention that helps senior’s manage osteoarthritis through physical activity.

But, despite the success of programs like Fit & Strong! lack of funding and reimbursement mechanisms, limit their impact, charges Dr. Hughes. calling for the Older American’s Act (OAA), particularly Title III D (or a new title), to support the funding of physical activity programming. 

“Ultimately, however, we will see much bigger returns if we develop demonstrations and/or regulations or reimbursement mechanisms that support the dissemination of and access to evidence-based health promotion programs as extensively as possible through Medicare, says Dr. Hughes. 

Walking the Talk

“Helping older people is a bipartisan issue — and the Aging Committee has a history of addressing the challenges that seniors face.  The work that the Senate Aging Committee does is especially critical today, with 10,000 Baby Boomers turning 65 every day, and given the uncertainty about the future of critical programs like Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security,” says Max Richtman, President & CEO, National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare.

Taking the reins of the Senate Aging Committee, Chairman Scott pledges to work with Ranking Member Gillibrand in a “bipartisan manner” to improve the lives of America’s seniors.  Will he walk his talk or are these just empty words?   

Republicans and Democrats on the Senate Aging Committee MUST work together to push the Republican-controlled Senate to allocate increased funding for the AOA and Medicare, or create additional reimbursement mechanisms to promote health and wellness programs.  Research tells us that these programs increase physical activity, brings people together to socialize, and enhances brain health, and even cuts medical costs.  Even with a federal budget deficit, in this case Congress must not be penny wise and pound foolish. 

To watch this Senate Aging Committee hearing go to 

https://www.aging.senate.gov/hearings/improving-wellness-among-seniors-setting-a-standard-for-the-american-dream.

AARP study shows Seniors favor a good life, over a lengthy one

Published in RINewsToday on September 26, 2022, 

Even with many older adults facing health challenges in their later years, they maintain an optimistic view of their aging and expect their lives to improve as they grow older, according to new research findings from AARP in collaboration with National Geographic Partners. The study found that three-quarters or more of those age 60 and over have at least one serious health condition, nearly half rate their health as very good or excellent.  

“The insights in this [57 page] study demand that we reexamine our assumptions about aging, especially outdated stereotypes around growing older,” said Jo Ann Jenkins, CEO of AARP in a statement released on June 1, 2022, announcing the findings of the study. “Far from being dragged down by worries about their health and finances, adults in their 70s and beyond are optimistic and positive about their lives.

They have a clear-eyed view of what it means to age, and they want their final decades of life to be independent and healthy – as they define the terms!” she says. 

According to the Second Half of Life Research study, Americans are doing more to stay healthy as they move into their later years.  They are more likely to take control of their health by getting health screenings, eating more produce and monitoring their sugar intake. And having more healthy years matters more than simply living longer – most respondents say that they were interested in a hypothetical pill that could slow down aging, but far fewer would take a pill to extend their life by a decade. 

The AARP study also found that the oldest Americans are also some of the happiest people: about one in three people aged 80 and older said they were very happy with their life, compared to just 16% of those ages 40-49. The researchers paired a national survey of adults 18 and older with in-depth interviews to paint a detailed picture of Americans’ outlook on life in the years from 40 to 100, and how those perceptions evolve with each decade. They found that relations with families and friends become an important feature and a source of purpose and joy as we age. Retirement allows one to control their lives and they choose to spend it with loved ones and having hobbies. Travel is expected but falls off as the person ages.  

The AARP study’s findings indicate that as people move into their later years, they don’t seem concerned about the length of their life, and as they live longer it becomes even less of a concern. “Fear of dying is low and drops as you age; feeling the need to prepare grows as you age,” notes the researchers.

On the financial front, just over half of adults 70 and older say their financial situation is excellent or very good – but responses vary widely by household income. More than half of those with an income of less than $30,000 per year rate their financial situation as fair or poor, while 60% of those with an income over $100,000 rate their finances as excellent or very good.

Among adults who are still working, most want to retire at a younger age than they think they will be able to – a gap that gets smaller with age. 

Most Americans want and expect to live independently as they age; only in their 80s did more respondents say they would need support to do so. Living in “my home” is also preferred over living in a retirement community, but this desire declines in the later decades, says the study’s findings.

The AARP Study also found that brain health, independence, and relationships were the top concerns of the respondents. The study’s findings indicate that memory loss was a top concern, too. For the respondents, memory and strength becomes a top concern as the person reached age 50 and over, while fear of cancer became less of a concern.

The study’s respondents expressed fear of becoming incontinent and have diminished hearing in their later years, but fear of diabetes and sexual performance loss declined after their 60s. 

For older study respondents, reliance on Social Security becomes a certainty. Hopefully this finding will reach the ears of Congressional lawmakers as they debate the merits of strengthening and expanding the nation’s Social Security program.

The study’s findings note that researchers also say that fears about the ability to live independently steadily increase over the decades.  Assistance from family and friends are more preferable to respondents when living at home, than hiring help. This preference increases as they age.

AARP’s Second Half of Life study, conducted in collaboration with National Geographic Partners with Heart+Mind Strategies, included an online and telephone survey of 2,580 US adults ages 18 and older, conducted January 7-28, 2022, and 25 in-depth, individual 30-minute interviews conducted virtually from February 22 to March 4, 2022.  Final data have been weighted to the U.S. Census for analysis by age group, gender, census division, ethnicity, and education.

To view the Second Half of Life Study’s report, go to:  https://www.aarp.org/content/dam/aarp/research/surveys_statistics/life-leisure/2022/second-half-life-desires-concerns-report.doi.10.26419-2Fres.00538.001.pdf.

For more information, please contact Vicki Levy, AARP’s Senior Research Advisor, at vlevy@aarp.org.