The Treasure Valley’s population boom is no secret.
Tens of thousands have flocked to the Boise area in recent years, resulting in higher rent prices , more traffic and mixed opinions from longtime residents.
All of that growth — Ada County surpassed 500,000 people for the first time, and the state is closing in on 2 million people — is fueled by many things, including a big influx of adults from California and Oregon. What might not get noticed is that the fastest-growing demographic in Idaho is people 60 and older, who account for about 18% of all Gem State residents, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
And like it or not, with age comes greater health risks.
Alzheimer’s disease, which has been on the rise nationally over the past 10 years, primarily affects people in retirement age. About 5% of Americans between 65-74 receive an Alzheimer’s diagnosis, and about 13% between 75-84 have the disease, according to the Alzheimer’s Association.
Alzheimer’s diagnoses are projected to increase across Idaho as the state’s population grows. Almost 10% of Idahoans 65 or older have Alzheimer’s, according to the Alzheimer’s Association — one big reason why the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America chose Boise as a site for an Alzheimer’s & Caregiving Educational Conference this year.
Dr. J. Audie Black, chief neuropsychologist at Idaho Neuropsychology, will be one of the speakers Thursday at the event, taking place at SpringHill Suites on Parkcenter Boulevard.
“Not only do we have the highest percentage of people over 65 right now, but by 2030 (the U.S. Census Bureau) anticipates that people over 60 will hit almost 25% of our population,” Black told the Idaho Statesman in an interview. “That is staggering.”
About 27,000-30,000 Idahoans are living with Alzheimer’s, Black said, and that number is expected to explode over the next decade because of the state’s aging population. Black said the conference will serve as an opportunity to remind people to practice regular screenings and catch Alzheimer’s in loved ones and even themselves early on.
The most common form of dementia, Alzheimer’s gets progressively worse as people suffer with it, affecting memory, the brain’s cognitive function and the ability to handle day-to-day tasks.
Alzheimer’s Foundation President Charles Fuschillo Jr., who will be in Boise for the conference, has hosted over 90 stops of the Educating America Tour over the past eight years, and he told the Statesman that the group chose Boise because of concerning Alzheimer’s projections in Idaho.
The Alzheimer’s Association projected in a report that the number of Idahoans older than 65 with Alzheimer’s would increase by 22.2% just from 2021 to 2025.
Fuschillo said he hopes attendees walk away with a solid understanding of the disease and its impact.
“We always want to accomplish a few things,” Fuschillo said. “One, better educate individuals about Alzheimer’s disease and brain health and wellness, but also about our affiliates in the local area as well. It’s very important. We want people to feel empowered at the conclusion of this conference and let them know that it’s OK to pick up the phone and call the AFA helpline.”
The Educating America Tour has reached all 50 states and more than 90 cities across the country, and this year has already hit South Carolina, Alabama, Kentucky, Utah and Massachusetts. Fuschillo said the organization stresses the importance of memory screening, making it a part of everyone’s regular health routine. The event Thursday will include free screenings.
“From elementary school, we’ve been taught to exercise every day, eat healthy, stay active, learn new things, get enough sleep, don’t smoke, watch your blood pressure,” Fuschillo said. “We always like to say that the last one should be to get a memory screening. It’s never too late to practice healthy aging tips.”
Resources for Idahoans
Black said he plans to share ways people can be proactive long before there’s an Alzheimer’s concern or diagnosis.
“All of us are going to experience age-related cognitive changes as we get older, it’s just inevitable,” he said.
“From the day we’re born to the day we die, our brains are constantly changing, and as a result, part of the normal aging process, we’re going to have cognitive changes. ... And that’s normal. Doesn’t mean there’s any problem, even though things are different, the issue is in the early stages, before someone has a diagnosis, family members often notice that something is even more concerning than normal aging.”
There are a number of resources available to those experiencing symptoms and for their loved ones, such as the Greater Idaho Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association , the Jannus Organization , Idaho Caregiver Alliance and the Idaho Commission on Aging . These organizations offer support groups, educational events, home-delivered meals, caregiver education resources and other Alzheimer’s-related tips, Black said.
Although there’s no cure for Alzheimer’s, it is a heavily studied disease that has seen breakthroughs for slowing down its effects on one’s memory and function. Medications such as donepezil, galantamine and rivastigmine can all help delay the effects, and so-called disease-modifying treatments are being studied and developed constantly.
The AFA funds thousands of research projects across the country looking for a cure, and both Fuschillo and Black said that’s closer to reality than it was 10 years ago.
“Last month there was a new drug therapy that was approved by the FDA , and last year there was another new drug approved that slowed down the progression of the disease,” Fuschillo said. “That gives us optimism that there are new therapies, and maybe with a combination of other therapies that will be approved, it will aid individuals with the disease significantly.”
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