Local News

Actions

Nevada may soon have most cases of Alzheimer's in the U.S.

Posted at 12:07 PM, Jun 26, 2018
and last updated 2018-06-26 20:08:42-04

By 2025 experts predict Nevada will see more than a 40 percent increase in seniors battling Alzheimer's disease.

That is why inside of the Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health doctors are trying to come up with groundbreaking research to put a stall to that scary statistic.

"I first saw the face of Alzheimer's when I was six years old," said Kat Hartley.

It was her grandfather who suffered from the disease, but he wasn't the only one in the family. Shortly after her grandfather's death, Hartley's grandmother was diagnosed with Alzheimer's. Since then her father and his brothers have been diagnosed with it as well.  

"So that's six in my family," she says.

Today we're learning more people may soon be battling Alzheimer's across Nevada.

RELATED STORY: Las Vegas couple struggles with Alzheimer's

The Alzheimer's Association says Nevada has one of the fastest growth rates for Alzheimer's in the country. Right now, about 45,000 people have been diagnosed across the Silver State. By 2025 experts say that number may go up by more than 40 percent.

That means a lot of money will be spent fighting the disease.

Azheimer's is one of the most expensive diseases to treat. Yearly $178 million is spent through Medicaid, and by 2025 that number is expected to go up more than 50 percent.