MetLife is making available an extensive amount of free resource material, including research and consumer publications on Alzheimer's and care giving.

The information, produced by MetLife Foundation and the MetLife Mature Market Institute, includes several studies and publications that help shed light on the disease, which affects an estimated 4.5 million Americans, a number that has more than doubled since 1980. One in 10 over the age of 65 have the disease, and Alzheimer's disease or dementia impacts up to half of those over age 85.

"Alzheimer's disease is devastating to the individuals who have it and to their families," said Sibyl Jacobson, president of the MetLife Foundation, which has funded a number of studies and initiatives on the disease and has awarded the MetLife Awards for Medical Research in Alzheimer's disease for the past 20 years. "MetLife is dedicated to furthering research and to helping families and caregivers."

The MetLife Foundation Alzheimer's Survey: What America Thinks conducted by Harris Interactive, shows that Americans fear Alzheimer's more than heart attacks, diabetes or stroke, but few plan for Alzheimer's. The study found, however, that nearly nine out of 10 have taken no steps to prepare for an illness that attacks nearly 50 per cent of those who live past age 85.

Other major findings in the MetLife Foundation survey are that almost three-quarters Americans say they know very little or nothing about Alzheimer's, although 93 least aware of the disease. Eight out of 10 think it is important to plan ahead for getting Alzheimer's - but 83 per cent have taken no steps to prepare for the possibility Alzheimer's.

The MetLife Study of Alzheimer's Disease: The Caregiving Experience was conducted by the MetLife Mature Market Institute, and studied more than 400 people whose care recipients were over the age of 65 and had long-term care insurance policies from which they were receiving benefits. It found that the cost of care and the related stress for those who care for someone with Alzheimer's disease increases substantially over those who care for someone with another disabling condition.

The study reports that the dollar value of family caregiving for Alzheimer's caregivers is 41 per cent higher than for others and that Alzheimer's caregivers indicate that caregiving has caused their health to worsen 45 per cent more often than other caregivers. Additionally, Alzheimer's caregiving requires a greater commitment of time, and spouses of Alzheimer's caregivers more often report having left their jobs to provide care.

Memory Screening: Who Attends and Why?, another study conducted by MetLife's Mature Market Institute, found that of people who attended voluntary memory screening during National Memory Screening Day sponsored by the Alzheimer's Foundation of America (AFA), 73 per cent have memory concerns, though many may be reluctant to discuss them with others, even their physician. Among those who were concerned about their memory, 30 per cent had not discussed their concerns with anyone. Of those who did share their concerns, most confided in their spouse. While 84 per cent of those who completed a survey while attending a voluntary screening said they had visited their doctor within the previous six months, only 24 per cent of those concerned about their memory shared their unease with their physician.

Alzheimer's Care: Supplemental Findings to the 2005 MetLife Market Surveys of Nursing Home/Home Care and Assisted Living Costs shows that 61% of assisted living facilities in the U.S. provide specialized care for those suffering from dementia, such as Alzheimer's disease, with fully 50% charging extra for the service. Of those with additional costs, rates ranged considerably, from $50 to $3,000 per month with the majority reporting additional costs of up to $1,000 per month. Of nursing homes surveyed, 36% had separate dementia units and 80 per cent charged no additional fees. Of those with special units, fees ranged from $10 to $25 per day.

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