CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WVDN) — As the number of Americans living with Alzheimer’s disease tops more than 7 million for the first time, nearly 4 in 5 Americans would want to know if they had Alzheimer’s disease. They also want treatment, even if it comes with risks, as long as it slows the progression of the disease. These are among the insights uncovered in the 2025 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures Report released by the Alzheimer’s Association today.
The 2025 Facts and Figures report provides an in-depth look at the latest national and state-by-state statistics on Alzheimer’s prevalence, mortality, dementia care workforce, costs of care and impact on caregivers. New statistics for West Virginia revealed the following:
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Number of West Virginia residents aged 65 and older living with Alzheimer’s: 38,100
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Percentage of adults over 65 with Alzheimer’s: 10.2%
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Number of West Virginia residents serving as unpaid family caregivers: 65,000
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Total hours of unpaid care provided: 116 million
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Total value of unpaid care: $2 billion
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Medicaid costs of caring for people with Alzheimer’s in 2025: $565 million
“This year’s report finds that the impact of Alzheimer’s on West Virginia residents and families is significant,” said Sharon M. Covert, executive director of the Alzheimer’s Association West Virginia Chapter. “Now more than ever, we need to work to advance disease research and treatments that can slow the current trajectory and help all West Virginia families affected by Alzheimer’s and other dementia.”
The new report shows prevalence, disease-related deaths and cost of caring for those living with Alzheimer’s are rising across the country. Among the findings:
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7.2 million people aged 65 and older are living with Alzheimer’s disease.
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Total annual costs of caring for people living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias (excluding unpaid care) is projected to be $384 billion in 2025.
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Additionally, nearly 12 million family members and friends provide 19.2 billion hours of unpaid care, valued at an additional $413 billion.
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Deaths due to Alzheimer’s disease more than doubled between 2000 and 2022.
An accompanying special report, American Perspectives on Early Detection of Alzheimer’s Disease in the Era of Treatment, highlights a national survey of more than 1,700 U.S. adults, aged 45 and older, examining awareness and attitudes of early detection and diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease, tests used to help diagnose Alzheimer’s and treatments that can slow progression of the disease.
Among the findings revealed in the new survey: Americans want to know early if they have Alzheimer’s disease and want access to testing.
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Nearly 4 in 5 Americans (79%) would want to know if they had Alzheimer’s disease before having symptoms or before symptoms interfere with daily activities.
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More than 9 in 10 Americans would definitely or probably want a simple test (e.g. blood-based biomarker test) if it was available. The number one reason for wanting a simple test is to allow for earlier treatment and care.
If diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, most Americans would want medication to slow its progression and would highly value information about the disease and treatment.
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More than 9 in 10 Americans (92%) would probably or definitely want to take a medication that could slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease following an Alzheimer’s diagnosis.
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Nearly three in five Americans (58%) said they would accept a moderate or high level of risk with taking an anti-amyloid medication to slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. Nearly 1 in 4 Americans (22%) are willing to accept high risk.
Americans’ top concerns about Alzheimer’s testing are insurance coverage, accuracy and cost.
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44% worry that insurance won’t cover future care and treatment.
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Other top concerns include test accuracy, cost, potential to lose confidence in abilities and not being allowed to do certain activities, such as driving.
Americans are optimistic that the next decade will bring new treatments to slow, prevent and even cure Alzheimer’s disease.
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Four in 5 Americans (81%) believe new treatments to stop the progression of Alzheimer’s will emerge in the next decade, and 66% believe new treatments to prevent Alzheimer’s will be available in the near future.
“The survey underscores the need for advancing new treatments and making early diagnosis easier and more accessible to anyone concerned about their memory and thinking,” said Covert. “We’re encouraged that people want to be proactive in addressing cognitive concerns. That’s a real positive because early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s offers the best opportunity for care, management and treatment of the disease.”
Full text of the 2025 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures report, including the accompanying special report, American Perspectives on Early Detection of Alzheimer’s Disease in the Era of Treatment, can be viewed at alz.org/facts.
Media assets including state fact sheets, videos, photos, a broadcast reader and graphics can be found in the 2025 Facts and Figures Digital Media Kit.
