Hospital and Emergency Department Use by People with Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders: Final Report

Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders (ADRD) affected approximately 4.7 million Americans age 65 or older in 2010. As the United States population ages, the number of people with ADRD is projected to increase dramatically in the coming decades, placing substantial emotional, physical, and financial burdens on patients, families, and society. One frequently cited burden is that people with ADRD experience frequent, and often avoidable, hospitalizations and emergency department (ED) visits. Understanding the patterns of hospital and ED use by people with ADRD or cognitive impairments relative to others without these conditions is crucial for developing appropriate policies to better address the care needs of this vulnerable population. [103 PDF pages]