How common is dementia?
If someone in your family has Alzheimer's disease or another type of dementia, you are not alone. About 8 million Americans
have some form of dementia. And many more have a family member or friend with the disease.
- Alzheimer's is the most common type of dementia. About half of people with dementia have this disease. That's about 4 million Americans.1
- Dementia with Lewy bodies is the next most common type of dementia. Up to a quarter of people with dementia have this type. That's about 800,000 Americans.2
- Vascular dementia is the next most common type of dementia. It affects about 1.75 million Americans.3
- Other less common types of dementia include dementia due to alcohol abuse, head injury or a brain tumor.
The number of people affected by dementia is increasing because more people are living longer.
Sources for the information on this page:
- Alzheimer's Disease Education and Referral Center Alzheimer's disease: General information Available at: http://www.alzheimers.org/generalinfo.htm. (accessed on: 26 January, 2006)
- Lewy Body Dementia Association Inc. What is Lewy Body Dementia? Available at: http://www.lewybodydementia.org/lbdinfo.php. (accessed on 27 September 2006).
- Alzheimer's Disease Education and Referral Center Multi-Infarct Dementia Fact Sheet Available at: http://www.alzheimers.org/pubs/mid.htm. (accessed on: 26 January, 2006)
- Alzheimer's Society Statistics [Alzheimer's Disease] Alzheimer's Society Alzheimer's Society 2001
This information is for educational use only, and is not a substitute for prompt professional medical advice.
Readers should always consult a physician or other professional for advice and treatment.








