By Tim Mastro

Delaware is projected to see a 21% increase in the number of residents living with Alzheimer’s disease, as the state’s senior population continues to grow, according to a recent report by the Alzheimer’s Association.

The association’s 2022 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures report showed that about 19,000 Delawareans are living with the illness. Without a cure, that number is expected to grow to 23,000 by 2025. This 21% increase is more than double the anticipated 9% growth in Delaware’s population over that time.

The assessment also included a new section on the state’s dementia care workforce. Delaware has approximately 18 geriatricians and will need to nearly triple that number to care for 10% of those 65 and older who are projected to have dementia in 2050, per the report.

Along with 20 other states, Delaware has been identified as a “neurology desert,” said Katie Macklin, the senior advocacy director for the Alzheimer’s Association’s Delaware Valley chapter.

“We don’t have the number of providers who specialize in this area to provide the necessary care to meet the growing demand for this population who are impacted by dementia,” she said.

In addition, the report looked at the number of direct-care workers — such as nurse aides, nursing assistants, home health aides and personal-care aides — needed between 2018 and 2028. There were approximately 6,970 home health and personal-care aides in Delaware in 2018, but 9,380 will be needed by 2028, the data found.

With that shortage of workers, the burden of care has fallen on families. Ms. Macklin said that about 83% of the health care provided to older adults in the country comes from relatives, friends or other unpaid individuals.

The Alzheimer’s Association noted that there were 47,000 caregivers in Delaware last year who provided 68 million hours of unpaid care, valued at a total of $1.16 billion.

“Workforce is a huge issue,” Ms. Macklin said. “It is incredibly important that states prepare to address the capacity of this workforce in order to meet the growing demands and the growing numbers of those who are living with this disease but also making sure that this workforce is well trained to meet the needs of this unique population.

“We want to identify ways we can recruit more individuals into this field and retain folks once we get them in there by offering opportunities for career advancement,” she added. “We also believe that pay needs to increase because turnover and understaffing will only continue to become more of an issue in coming years.”

In response to the report, the Delaware Valley chapter has launched an awareness campaign focused on early detection and diagnosis of Alzheimer’s. The four-week campaign began Friday, in partnership with the state Division of Services for Aging and Adults With Physical Disabilities, and aims to reach Delawareans through various social media and advertising activations, coupled with real stories from those who have been impacted by the illness and dementia.

Its goal is to “improve awareness of Alzheimer’s and its warning signs, to reinforce messages of the importance of early detection and diagnosis, and to drive Delawareans to available support services.”

“I can’t say it enough: Early detection really allows for the best opportunity to receive optimal medical care,” Ms. Macklin said. “This can result in better health outcomes, and it affords more time for planning for future needs for accessing support services.”

She added that anyone who has concern about their cognition or memory loss should speak with a doctor. The Alzheimer’s Association also runs a 24/7 helpline at 800-272-3900 and has more information here.