Dementia passes Cancer and heart disease as most expensive medical condition

The average cost of dealing with a family member with Alzheimer’s or some form of dementia is now at $51,000 yearly.

Overall, the New England Journal of Medicine says Americans spent around $215 billion on dementia in 2010.

The biggest part of that cost, around 84%, is said to be long term care such as a nursing home or care of a patient in their residence.

One of the biggest factors in the growth of dementia is an aging population.

Some estimates indicate that the cost of medical issues that have to do with age will cost each American nearly 80% more by 2040.

Researchers say more insurance for long-term care or drug breakthroughs would be the most help in the fight.

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