An estimated 5.2 million Americans of all ages have Alzheimer's disease in 2008.

One in eight persons age 65 and over (13%) have Alzheimer's disease.

Every 71 seconds, someone in America develops Alzheimer's disease. By mid-century, someone will develop Alzheimer's disease every 33 seconds.

By 2050, the number of individuals age 65 and over with Alzheimer's could range from 11 million to 16 million unless science finds a way to prevent or effectively treat the disease.

In 2007, 9.8 million family members, friends and neighbors provided unpaid care for a person with Alzheimer's disease or another dementia.

In 2000, Medicare beneficiaries age 65 and over with Alzheimer's and other dementias were 3.4 times more likely than other Medicare beneficiaries in the same age group to have a hospital stay.

Source: Alzheimer's Association (2008). 2008 Alzheimer's Disease Facts and Figures.