11.22.2006 - 10:31am ET

(CSRwire) NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 22, 2006--November is Alzheimer's Awareness Month, and to help broaden awareness, MetLife is making available an extensive amount of free resource material, including research and consumer publications on Alzheimer's and caregiving. The information, produced by MetLife Foundation and the MetLife Mature Market Institute, includes several studies and publications that help shed light on the disease. One in ten Americans--an estimated 4.5 million--have Alzheimer's, a number that has more than doubled since 1980.

"Alzheimer's disease is devastating to the individuals who have it and to their families," said Sibyl Jacobson, president of MetLife Foundation, which has funded a number of studies and initiatives on the disease and has awarded the MetLife Awards for Medical Research in Alzheimer's Disease for the past 20 years. "MetLife is dedicated to furthering research and to helping families and caregivers."

The materials, which are available at www.metlife.org and www.maturemarketinstitute.com include:

The MetLife Foundation Alzheimer's Survey: What America Thinks conducted by Harris Interactive, shows that Americans fear Alzheimer's more than heart attacks, diabetes or stroke. The study found, however, that nearly nine out of 10 have not taken steps to prepare for the illness, despite the fact that it attacks nearly 50 percent of those who live past age 85. Other major findings in the MetLife Foundation survey are that almost three-quarters of Americans say they know very little or nothing about Alzheimer's, although 93 percent are at least aware of the disease. Eight out of 10 think it is important to plan ahead for the possibility of getting Alzheimer's - but 83 percent have not taken any steps to prepare.

The MetLife Study of Alzheimer's Disease: The Caregiving Experience was conducted by the MetLife Mature Market Institute, and studied more than 400 people whose care recipients were over the age of 65 and had long-term care insurance policies from which they were receiving benefits. It found that the cost of care and the related stress for those who care for someone with Alzheimer's disease increases substantially over those who care for someone with another disabling condition. The study reports that the dollar value of family caregiving for Alzheimer's caregivers is 41% higher than for others and that Alzheimer's caregivers indicate that caregiving has caused their health to worsen 45% more often than other caregivers.

Additionally, Alzheimer's caregiving requires a greater commitment of time, and caregiving spouses more often report having left their jobs to provide care.

Memory Screening: Who Attends and Why?, another study conducted by MetLife's Mature Market Institute, found that of people who attended voluntary memory screening during the National Memory Screening Day sponsored by the Alzheimer's Foundation of America (AFA), 73% have memory concerns, though many may be reluctant to discuss them with others, even their physician. Among those who were concerned about their memory, 30% had not discussed their concerns with anyone. Of those who did share their concerns, most confided in their spouse.

While 84% of those who completed a survey while attending a voluntary screening said they had visited their doctor within the previous six months, only 24% of those concerned about their memory shared their unease with their physician.

Alzheimer's Care: Supplemental Findings to the 2005 MetLife Market Surveys of Nursing Home/Home Care and Assisted Living Costs shows that 61% of assisted living facilities in the U.S. provide specialized care for those suffering from dementia, such as Alzheimer's disease, with fully 50% charging extra for the service. Of those with additional costs, rates ranged considerably, from $50 to $3,000 per month with the majority reporting additional costs of up to $1,000 per month. Of nursing homes surveyed, 36% had separate dementia units and 80% charged no additional fees. Of those with special units, fees ranged from $10 to $25 per day.

Ten Tips for Maintaining Brain Health - To help develop good habits that can positively impact your physical and mental health, MetLife offers advice on how one can use environmental factors to assist brain function.

"About...Healthy Aging," a free brochure from MetLife, is available by calling 1-800-MY-AGING (1-877-692-4464). The publication discusses how developing a healthy lifestyle can help people not only live longer, but live better.

A "Since You Care" Guide, Alzheimer's Disease - Caregiving Challenges, helps families who are providing support and care to someone with Alzheimer's. It contains a wealth of information and resources.

MetLife has been a leading advocate for Alzheimer's disease (AD) research for more than 20 years, largely through the work of MetLife Foundation (MLF). The Foundation's annual awards for medical research support leading-edge research on AD. MLF has also been a strong voice in fostering a greater understanding of the disease through grants to nonprofits that educate the public about AD. MetLife Foundation also funds numerous aging initiatives with the Alzheimer's Association (such as Safe Return, a nationwide identification system), the American Society on Aging (MindAlert, to help older adults maintain and improve their cognitive skills) and the National Council on Aging.

Additionally, the Foundation sponsored the Emmy-award winning PBS documentary, The Forgetting: A Portrait of Alzheimer's. For additional information on MetLife's commitment to Alzheimer's issues, please consult the company's Alzheimer's and Aging Web page.

MetLife Foundation was established in 1976 by MetLife to carry on its long-standing tradition of corporate contributions and community involvement. Grants support health, education, civic and cultural programs. In aging, the Foundation funds programs that promote healthy aging and address issues of caregiving, intergenerational activities, mental fitness, and volunteerism. More information about the Foundation is available at www.metlife.org.

The MetLife Mature Market Institute(R) is MetLife's information and policy resource center on issues related to aging, retirement, long-term care and the mature market. Staffed by gerontologists, the Institute provides research, training and education, consultation and information to support MetLife, its corporate customers and business partners. MetLife is a subsidiary of MetLife, Inc. (NYSE: MET), a leading provider of insurance and financial services with operations throughout the U.S. and the Latin America, Europe and Asia Pacific regions. www.maturemarketinstitute.com


Copyright Business Wire 2006

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