When adjusted for age, both sexes are affected by Alzheimers at equal rates. In the United States, the risk of dying from Alzheimers disease in 2010 was 26% higher among the non-Hispanic white population than among the non-Hispanic black population, and the Hispanic population had a 30% lower risk than the non-Hispanic white population. However, much Alzheimers research remains to be done in minority groups, such as the African American and the Hispanic/Latino populations. Studies have shown that these groups are underrepresented in clinical trials and do not have the same risk of developing Alzheimers when carrying certain genetic risk factors (i.e. APOE4), compared to their caucasian counterparts.The prevalence of Alzheimers disease in populations is dependent upon factors including incidence and survival. Since the incidence of Alzheimers disease increases with age, prevalence depends on the mean age of the population for which prevalence is given. In the United States in 2020, Alzheimers dementia prevalence was estimated to be 5.3% for those in the 60–74 age group, with the rate increasing to 13.8% in the 74–84 group and to 34.6% in those greater than 85. Prevalence rates in some less developed regions around the globe are lower. As the incidence and prevalence are steadily increasing, the prevalence itself is projected to triple by 2050. As of 2020, 50 million people globally have AD, with this number expected to increase to 152 million by 2050. History
The ancient Greek and Roman philosophers and physicians associated old age with increasing dementia.
Indirect costs include the cost of informal care and the loss in productivity of informal caregivers.In the United States as of 2019, informal (family) care is estimated to constitute nearly three-fourths of caregiving for people with AD at a cost of  US$234 billion per year and approximately 18.5 billion hours of care. The cost to society worldwide to care for individuals with AD is projected to increase nearly ten-fold, and reach about US$9.1 trillion by 2050.Costs for those with more severe dementia or behavioral disturbances are higher and are related to the additional caregiving time to provide physical care. Caregiving burden
The role of the main caregiver is often taken by the spouse or a close relative. Alzheimers disease is known for placing a great burden on caregivers which includes social, psychological, physical, or economic aspects. Home care is usually preferred by people with Alzheimers disease and their families. This option also delays or eliminates the need for more professional and costly levels of care. Nevertheless, two-thirds of nursing home residents have dementias.Dementia caregivers are subject to high rates of physical and mental disorders. Factors associated with greater psychosocial problems of the primary caregivers include having an affected person at home, the carer being a spouse, demanding behaviors of the cared person such as depression, behavioral disturbances, hallucinations, sleep problems or walking disruptions and social isolation.