How Does Alzheimer's Disease Affects Society

The Alzheimer’s disease has turned prevalent in the United States. The number of affected people is reported to grow every year. The disease does not only affect the patients and their families but also the society at large calling for participation of every person and agency to address it. This task explores how the disease affects the society, assesses its impact on families, the elderly and care givers, and projects the role of social worker in addressing this issue. A possible effect on the society is a strained health care system. The number of patients admitted with the condition is growing every year at a time when resources are scarce. The available health facilities cannot meet the needs of all the patients (Alzheimer's Association, 2013). Moreover, the federal budget would be strained due to increased cost of treatment. As such, available resources will be channeled to the health sector at the expense of other areas of the economy. The overall effect might be reduced standard of living and general social strife. Such sectors as education, transport, and industrialization will be afforded less

They are subjected to a burdensome, exhausting and dangerous level of commitment in the provision of round the clock care and support to the patients. This subjects them to poor quality of life. This is attributed to vulnerability to physical illnesses. They experience poor sleeping patterns and are likely to suffer such from such diseases as ulcers, diabetes and anemia. According to Werner, Mittelman, Dovrat Goldstein, & Heinik (2011), they also experience a sense of social isolation. They have no time for themselves and other members of the society. This could result in emotional distress. They experience a sense of diminished emotional well-being. Other than that, families go through financial hardship. The healthcare coast of such patients is way too high for ordinary