Hidden costs push United States dementia toll to historic high

A new USC-led study finds Alzheimer's disease and related dementias will cost the United States an estimated $818 billion this year, driven largely by often-overlooked costs to persons living with dementia and family and friends providing their care.

In addition to medical and long-term care costs, the research team's cost model accounts for factors often not captured in other estimates of dementia's economic toll, such as diminished quality of life, lost earnings for people with dementia and care partners, and extensive unpaid care provided by family and friends. The 2026 estimate comes from a multi-year federally funded research project quantifying annual U.S. dementia costs, and it reflects advances made since last year's inaugural report.

Here are key findings from the study, published June 24 in Alzheimer's & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer's Association:

The 2026 report from the U.S. Cost of Dementia Project, which is funded by a cooperating agreement with the National Institute on Aging, builds on last year's findings as the researchers continue to improve their cost estimates.