MARQUETTE — In Michigan, an estimated 180,000 people suffer from Alzheimer’s disease according to the Alzheimer’s Association 2017 Facts & Figures Report. There is no cure, but good communication and collaboration between providers helps those who have Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia maintain a higher quality of life.

Professionals, caregivers and others affected by dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease are invited to attend the Alzheimer’s Association Upper Peninsula Conference on Thursday, November 9. The conference will be held at the Northern Michigan University Great Lakes Rooms at 1401 Presque Isle Ave, in Marquette.

The keynote speaker will be Margaret P. Calkins. Topics covered at the conference will include the environment’s impact on dementia along with transitioning care, disrupted sleep, elder abuse, community resource panel and driving with 5.0 CEUs for nurses and social workers available. The conference is co-sponsored by the Northern Michigan University School of Nursing.

“The goal of the conference is to bring caregivers and health professionals together to address the unique issues facing those with Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia.” said Melanie Baird, vice president of programs for the Alzheimer’s Association Greater Michigan Chapter. “We are thrilled to have the support of UPHS Marquette General and Upper Peninsula Health Plan and are looking forward to coming together for a day of education, sharing and support,” said Baird.

Caring for someone with Alzheimer’s or other dementias is exceptionally demanding. This year’s Alzheimer’s Association Facts and Figures features a new analysis exploring the disease’s impact on caregivers’ own health, both physical and mental. According to the report the level of assistance provided by caregivers of people with Alzheimer’s or other dementias tends to be extensive, compared with caregivers of other older adults. More than 15 million Americans provide unpaid care, such as physical, emotional and financial support, for the estimated 5.5 million Americans living with Alzheimer’s dementia. In 2016, Alzheimer’s caregivers provided an estimated 18.2 billion hours of unpaid care, which the report valued at $230.1 billion.

Alzheimer’s By the Numbers:

— Of the estimated 5.5 million Americans with Alzheimer’s dementia in 2017, 5.3 million people are age 65 and older and approximately 200,000 are under age 65 (younger-onset Alzheimer’s) including 360,000 in Texas.

— Barring the development of medical breakthroughs, the number of people age 65 and older with Alzheimer’s dementia may nearly triple from 5.3 million to 13.8 million by 2050.

— Every 66 seconds, someone in the U.S. develops Alzheimer’s dementia. By mid-century, someone in the U.S. will develop the disease every 33 seconds.

— Approximately 480,000 people-almost half a million-age 65 or older will develop Alzheimer’s dementia in the U.S. in 2017.

— Two-thirds of Americans over age 65 with Alzheimer’s dementia (3.3 million) are women.

— Alzheimer’s remains the only disease among the top 10 causes of death in America that cannot be prevented, cured or even slowed.

For more information about the Alzheimer’s Association or to learn how to get involved with the Alzheimer’s Association’s 19th Annual Fall Upper Peninsula Conference visit www.alz.org/gmc or contact our helpline 800-272-3900.