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Report: 1 In 3 American Seniors Die With Alzheimer's Or Dementia

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Alarming new statistics have come out from the Alzheimer's Association.

The new report shows one in three American seniors die with the mind-destroying disease or another form of dementia.

Some 80,000 people a year die specifically from Alzheimer's disease, as listed on their death certificate.

But many more -- over 450,000 die with Alzheimer's.

The report found the death rate for Alzheimer's rose 68 percent during the past decade. Without a cure or treatment, that number is expected to climb even higher.

Health care costs are estimated to be $203 billion this year alone. There is also the emotional toll the disease takes on caregivers.

"It's very hard to watch. I don't know how my mom does it. I know how hard it is for me. I can only imagine how hard it is for her," said Siobhan O'Grady, whose father suffers from Alzheimer's.

The report also found that 70 year olds with Alzheimer's are twice as likely to die within 10 years compared to people the same age who do not have the disease.

Alzheimer's breaks down the body, increasing the chances of pneumonia and other life threatening illnesses.

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