Alzheimer’s care is scarce in SC
Alzheimer’s care is scarce in South Carolina. In the Palmetto State, there are 95,000 people over the age of 65 who are living with Alzheimer’s in 2023. By 2025, this number will increase to 120,000. To make matters worse, South Carolina does not have a healthcare system in place that can accommodate all these patients.
Geriatricians in SC
As it stands now, there are only 66 geriatricians (those with expertise in treating the elderly) practicing in SC. According to Taylor Wilson – the Director of Government Affairs at the Alzheimer’s Association, “to meet the demand (of those seeking treatment), an increase of (doctors by) 336% would be necessary” (The State). With the elderly the ones most likely to be suffering from dementia, there’s a critical shortage of doctors practicing in this area.
Dementia
Dementia is a general term for memory loss and other cognitive abilities that are so serious they impact daily life.
Types of Dementia
There are multiple types of dementia. Here are just a few:
- Frontotemporal Dementia
- Huntington’s Disease
- Parkinson’s Disease Dementia
- Vascular Dementia
Most Common Form of Dementia
The most common form of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s constitutes 60 to 80 percent of all dementia cases.
Symptoms of Alzheimer’s
- Disorientation
- Suspicion of family members, friends, and caregivers
- Deepening confusion of events, time, and places
- Behavioral changes
- Severe memory loss
- Difficulty swallowing, talking, and walking
Alzheimer’s Treatment
While doctors are still unsure of how Alzheimer’s works or how to cure it, there are treatments that can slow its progression if taken in the early stages of the disease. The main risk factor is age, with most patients being over the age of 65. If there is cause for concern, it is best to go to the doctor as soon as possible (Alzheimer’s Association).
For online Alzheimer’s resources in South Carolina, go to Alzheimer’s Association SC Resources .
Alzheimer’s Cases on the Rise
Unfortunately, the cases of Alzheimer’s disease are only rising.
South Carolina is one of 20 states considered to be a “dementia neurology desert.” This means that there are fewer than 10 doctors available for every 10,000 patients with dementia. In order to meet the demand of the increasing number of Alzheimer’s patients by 2028, the number of direct care workers in the state would need to at least double (The State).
The last time South Carolina made a state plan to benefit those with dementia was in 2009. Fortunately, state legislators have approved a bill that hopes to address the rising dementia cases in our state.
This new bill would require that the Alzheimer’s Association present and enforce a statewide plan every five years. In addition, the Association would need to present an annual report every September 30th to the Governor and the General Assembly to keep legislators informed about their progress and what still needs to be done.
The hope with this new bill is that it will keep the public better informed about Alzheimer’s and how to care for those suffering from it as well as provide valuable resources to patients, their families, and caregivers (The State).
As the population continues to grow and life expectancy increases, Alzheimer’s will become a more pressing concern. Hopefully, with more resources being put towards Alzheimer’s disease, more doctors and direct care workers will migrate to South Carolina. This will allow the state to be at the forefront of research, care, and working to find a cure.
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