A 2024 Alzheimer’s and dementia report from the Alzheimer's Association shows there are only eight geriatricians in the state, and only one of those doctors is based in North Idaho. 

Michelle Larson is the local associate director of programs for the Alzheimer's Association and said the number of health care providers who are Alzheimer’s specialists is alarming.

“For people who are trying to see a specialist dedicated to dementia and dementia-related care, they’re waiting a year or even longer and that’s valuable time," she said.

There are 6.9 million people 65 and older living with Alzheimer’s dementia in the country, according to the report and the cost of care for these individuals this year is projected to reach $360 billion, marking a $15 billion increase from last year.

Nearly two-thirds of Americans with Alzheimer’s are women in that age bracket.

The press release accompanying the report states the Alzheimer’s Association hopes the feedback from caregivers and new data will be a “catalyst for change.”

“Dementia health care is a complex maze composed of primary care providers, specialists, social services, medication management and caregiver support,” said Sam Fazio, a senior director of psychosocial research and quality care for the Alzheimer’s Association.

A projection in the report about the expected number of people with Alzheimer’s dementia by state indicates Idaho’s numbers will rise from 17,400 in 2020 to 20,640 in 2030, a 19% increase.

“We really need to find a way to attract more professionals than can specialize and can support our aging population,” Larson said.

Caregiver support

Most caregivers are family members, and in Idaho, the report shows that in the last year, caregivers racked up about 105,000,000 unpaid care hours.

Even if a family is well-off, the labor of love that is caregiving can take a toll on a household.

“The biggest thing I see in my work here in North Idaho is the impact that it has on the caregivers. I often hear families say they weren’t prepared for this. As a state, we have 66,000 caregivers and many of those are unpaid caregivers,” Larson said.

The problem is personal as well as professional for Larson, who has a long family history of the condition.

The Alzheimer’s Association has caregiver support groups in Post Falls and in Coeur d’Alene, and the agency is hoping to add more.

Top stressors for caregivers listed in the report were cost of health care, coordinating with multiple doctors, securing appointments, getting time and support for respite from caregiving responsibilities and connecting with the appropriate doctors.

There are education programs about Alzheimer’s available detailing 10 warning signs of the condition and risk reduction for those with new diagnoses. 

The Alzheimer’s Association also provides a 24-hour hotline at 1-800-272-3900. The Coeur d’Alene Alzheimer’s Association office can be reached at 208-666-2996.

“If you’re lying awake and you can’t sleep because there’s things you’re worried about with this disease, pick up the phone because there’s somebody to talk to,” Larson said.

Info: alz.org/facts