Seniors in THESE 10 States Have the Highest Alzheimer’s Rates

Alzheimer’s. It’s a reality few of us want to face. And yet, for over 6 million Americans, Alzheimer’s is a reality they have to live with every day. Sadly, Alzheimer’s is the most common type of dementia, accounting for 60 to 80 percent of cases. And while older adults all across America suffer from this condition, there are a few states where the numbers reported are higher. Keep reading to find out which states top this list.

1. Maryland

Maryland is home to the Chesapeake Bay, John Hopkins University, and the highest prevalence of Alzheimer’s in the nation. Sadly, the Old Line State tops our list at 12.9%. Geriatric physician George Hennawi explained this distinction in an interview with 11 News. “There’s somewhat of a direct correlation between developing dementia and having chronic cardiovascular disease, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and those tend to be prevalent at a higher rate in the African American population and the Hispanic population,” Hennawi is quoted as saying.

2. New York

The Big Apple also reports higher-than-average numbers of Alzheimer’s. At a 12.7 percent prevalence, it’s second only to Maryland. One particular borough reported high figures. The Bronx is rife with Alzheimer’s, and experts believe they’ve pinpointed why. According to NBC, the Bronx not only boasts of a high percentage of residents aged 85 or older, but 30.1% and 46.9 percent of its residents are Black and Hispanic, respectively.

3. Mississippi

Third on the list is The Magnolia State. Sadly, over 65,000 Mississippians aged 65 and over have Alzheimer’s. Even more disconcertingly, Mississippi also has the highest Alzheimer’s mortality rate, due in part to its health care system.

4. Florida

While Florida may seem like a mystical retirement haven to some and a much-coveted vacation spot to others, it also makes our list for a much less pleasant reason. The Sunshine State reports some of the nation’s highest prevalence for Alzheimer’s at 12.5 percent.

5. Louisiana

The Pelican State draws tourists year-round thanks to New Orleans, Cajun cooking, and Mardi Gras. But while the state is rich in culture and history, it’s also infamous for another reason: a higher-than-average prevalence of Alzheimer’s. Studies show that nearly 12.4% of adults above the age of 65 in Louisiana have Alzheimer’s disease.

6. New Jersey

The Garden State is brimming with charm and history, but living here is no picnic for some older adults. Sadly, New Jersey is another state that boasts a high prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease, with over 12.3% of the population suffering from the condition.

7. California

California is home to Hollywood, mountains, and some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. And while it boasts natural beauty and recreational opportunities galore, it’s also one of the states with the highest prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease. In fact, nearly 12 percent of California residents suffer from this condition.

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8. Illinois

Illinois is perhaps best known for its largest city, Chicago. The city is home to world-class museums, theaters, sports teams, and architectural landmarks such as the Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower) and the Cloud Gate sculpture (affectionately known as “The Bean”). Sadly, Illinois makes our list as one of the states with the highest prevalence of Alzheimer’s at 12%.

9. Georgia

Georgia is known for its warm and welcoming atmosphere, often referred to as “Southern hospitality.” Unfortunately, it’s known for something slightly more sinister. Like Illinois and California, The Peach State has a high prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease at 12%.

10. Connecticut

Connecticut is one of the New England states, famous for its autumnal views, wide selection of bed-and-breakfast inns, and historical sites. It’s also the third smallest state, behind only Rhode Island and Delaware. But it’s not one of the smallest states when it comes to Alzheimer’s. It has one of the highest prevalence for Alzheimer’s disease, trailing only slightly behind Georgia at 11.9 percent.

Why do some states have more Alzheimer’s patients than others?

Per research by the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference, location might come into play. Their studies found that the east and southeastern U.S. have the highest prevalence of Alzheimer’s dementia. In fact, they estimated that in counties with a population of 10,000 or more individuals, the highest Alzheimer’s rates are in Miami-Dade County in Florida (16.6%), Baltimore City in Maryland (16.6%), and Bronx County in New York (16.6%).

According to Fortune, states with more people aged 85 and older, more women, and more non-white individuals report higher numbers of Alzheimer’s. Sadly, older Black Americans are nearly twice as likely to have Alzheimer’s as they age as compared to their Caucasian counterparts. The Alzheimer’s Association 2023 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures also notes that the Hispanic-American population may be more susceptible than white older adults. Specifically, they’re one and one-half times as likely to develop Alzheimer’s.

Kumar B. Rajan, Ph.D., professor in the Department of Internal Medicine at Rush Medical College, weighed in on these statistics. “The estimates are based on cognitive and demographic characteristics,” Rajan said. “Alzheimer’s dementia is a multifactorial disease involving several risk characteristics that interact with demographic risk factors and ultimately contribute to the prevalence.”

How does this data aid Alzheimer’s research?

Matthew Baumgart, Alzheimer’s Association vice president of health policy, had a lot to say about Alzheimer’s prevalence estimates. According to Baumart, these estimates “can help federal and state public health officials determine the burden on the health care system, and county-level estimates help us better understand and pinpoint areas of high risk and high need—where, for example, culturally-sensitive health support and caregiver training services are needed.” In other words, these studies may make it easier for healthcare officials to put preventative care measures into place. While there’s still a lot of work to be done, experts are hopeful about the future of Alzheimer’s research.

Need More Dementia Resources?

To read more articles on Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia, then start here:

Alzheimer’s and Dementia Senior Resource Center

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