Dementia Statistics
What is the greatest risk factor for developing dementia?
Age - though dementia is not a normal part of aging, most individuals with dementia are 65+. The risk of Alzheimer's disease doubles every five years. After age 85, the risk reaches nearly 1/3. (Alz.org, 2025)
True or False: The ADRC of Buffalo and Pepin Counties has the absolute BEST DCS.
True. (Duh.)
This dementia is caused by a lack of blood flow to the brain, and therefore a lack of oxygen and nutrients. It results from strokes or other cardiovascular complications.
Vascular dementia
How many Americans are currently living with Alzheimer's disease or other dementia?
7.2 million / 9% of all persons over age 65 (Alz.org, 2025)
What are two programs that are currently offered by the DCS in Buffalo and Pepin Counties?
Memory cafes, support gatherings, purple tube program, dementia live, memory screening, dementia informed business presentations, etc.
This dementia is the most common. It is caused by a buildup of proteins called amyloid and tau.
Alzheimer's disease.
How many Americans are providing unpaid care to someone living with dementia?
Over 11 million - equating to over 18.4 billion hours annually (CDC, 2025)
The DCS Program is built upon how many foundational 'pillars'?
3 pillars!
(1) Fostering a dementia capable ADRC.
(2) Acting as a catalyst for dementia-friendly communities.
(3) Providing direct education and support to people with dementia and their families/caregivers.
This dementia is caused by a buildup of alpha-synuclein (protein) in the brain. Resulting difficulties include difficulties with attention and alertness, as well as movement issues and hallucinations.
Lewy body dementia
What are the four most common types/causes of dementia?
Alzheimer's disease
Vascular dementia
Lewy body dementia
Frontotemporal dementia
Where/ to whom can a DCS NOT provide education?
A DCS cannot provide education to employees within a residential or long-term care facility.
True or False: Donanemab and Lecanemab treatments can reverse Alzheimer's disease.
False: These medications may slow disease progression (in early stages), but cannot reverse or cure the disease.
This dementia is caused by a buildup of TDP-34 (protein) in the brain. Resulting effects include changes in personality and behavior, as well as language difficulties.
Frontotemporal dementia
If the DCS were to provide you with a standard mini-cog (memory screen), what three words would you be asked to recall during the exercise?
Banana. Sunrise. Chair.
True or False: Limbic-Predominant Age Related TDP-43 Encephalopathy (LATE) is a recently discovered dementia.
True - LATE is a neuro-degenerative disease characterized by the accumulation of a protein (TDP-43) in the brain. Symptoms are similar to those of Alzheimer's disease. LATE is found primarily in adults 80+ years of age. Note: TDP-43 is present in other brain disorders including FTD and ALS. (Founded in 2019)
This dementia is caused by a thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency. It commonly occurs from alcohol abuse but can also be caused by malnutrition, gastrointestinal complications, and other complications. Confusion, severe disorientation, fatigue, unsteadiness, and vision difficulties are common effects.
Wernicke Korsakoff syndrome