As Alzheimer's Disease Cases Rise, New Report Warns of Growing Gaps in Care

Pat Summitt Foundation white paper examines how specialist shortages, delayed diagnoses and barriers to emerging treatments threaten to leave millions of patients and caregivers behind.

KNOXVILLE, Tenn., Nov. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- New treatments are changing what may be possible for people living with Alzheimer's disease. But as scientific advances accelerate, a new report from the Pat Summitt Foundation warns that a growing shortage of specialists, delayed diagnoses and barriers to care threaten to leave millions of Americans behind.

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The Foundation's new white paper, Alzheimer's Disease and the Growing Concern: Rising Gaps in Diagnosis, Treatment and Access to Care, examines the challenges facing patients, families and healthcare providers as the prevalence of Alzheimer's disease continues to rise. With an estimated 7.4 million Americans age 65 and older living with Alzheimer's in 2025, and that number expected to double by 2050, the report calls attention to an urgent question: Is the healthcare system prepared to deliver the care that scientific progress is making possible?

"Scientific progress is creating new hope for families affected by Alzheimer's, but hope must be matched with access," said Morgan Vance, executive director of the Pat Summitt Foundation. "We are seeing advances in diagnosis and treatment, yet patients can still face months waiting to see a specialist, and families are navigating an increasingly complex care system. We need to address these gaps now, while preparing for the growing demand ahead."

A shortage of specialists is delaying diagnosis and care

The report highlights a significant shortage of healthcare professionals trained to diagnose and manage Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. More than half of primary care physicians surveyed in 2020 reported insufficient dementia specialists in their communities. In rural areas, that figure rose to 71%.

For patients, the shortage can mean waiting nine to 12 months or longer for a specialty appointment, delaying diagnosis, treatment eligibility and access to clinical trials.

The workforce gap is particularly pronounced in rural communities, where nearly 60% of adults age 65 and older live in areas with limited access to neurologists and memory-care specialists. Transportation challenges and the concentration of specialized services in urban centers can make care even more difficult to reach.

As emerging diagnostic tools and disease-modifying therapies become more widely available, demand for specialty care is expected to grow, potentially widening existing disparities.

New therapies bring opportunity and new demands

The emergence of disease-modifying therapies, including Leqembi and Kisunla, represents a significant shift in Alzheimer's care. These treatments can slow disease progression for eligible patients in the early stages of the disease, making timely diagnosis increasingly important.

But treatment can require regular infusions, frequent monitoring, and advanced imaging, creating logistical and financial challenges for patients and caregivers. For families in rural or underserved communities, the travel and time required to access care may present a significant barrier.

The report also examines the promise of blood-based biomarkers and other emerging diagnostic tools that may help identify Alzheimer's disease earlier. While these advances offer new opportunities, standardized clinical guidance and broader access to testing remain important needs.

The white paper emphasizes that the future of Alzheimer's care will depend not only on developing new treatments, but on ensuring that patients can access them.

The impact extends far beyond the patient

The report also examines the enormous and often overlooked burden placed on family caregivers.

In 2025, more than 12 million Americans provided an estimated 19.6 billion hours of unpaid care for people living with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, representing an economic value of approximately $446 billion.

Caregiving can carry significant physical, emotional and financial consequences. The report cites findings that 59% of dementia caregivers experience emotional stress related to caregiving, while 38% report physical stress. Nearly two-thirds of dementia caregivers are women, and many are balancing caregiving responsibilities with careers and their own families.

For rural caregivers, limited access to community resources, transportation and specialized services can intensify those demands.

The Foundation's report calls for greater attention to caregiver education, respite services, mental health support, workplace flexibility and financial assistance as essential components of a comprehensive response to Alzheimer's disease.

Closing the gap between innovation and access

The white paper outlines opportunities to strengthen the nation's dementia-care infrastructure, including expanding the specialist workforce, improving early detection, increasing access to diagnostic tools, strengthening care coordination and investing in resources for rural and underserved communities.

It also underscores the importance of public education around dementia warning signs and modifiable risk factors. Research cited in the report indicates that addressing 14 modifiable risk factors throughout life could potentially prevent or delay approximately 45% of dementia cases worldwide.

As the number of Americans affected by Alzheimer's continues to grow, the report calls for coordinated action among healthcare systems, researchers, policymakers, community organizations, employers and caregivers.

"The challenges outlined in this report are not abstract," said Vance. "They affect whether a person receives a timely diagnosis, whether a family can manage the demands of care, and whether a patient has the opportunity to benefit from a treatment. Addressing Alzheimer's requires us to think about the entire continuum of care, from awareness and early detection to treatment and caregiver support."

A commitment rooted in Pat Summitt's legacy

For nearly 15 years, the Pat Summitt Foundation has worked to advance research, support patients and caregivers, and educate the public about Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia.

The Foundation has invested more than $3 million in the University of Tennessee Medical Center, helping establish the Pat Summitt Clinic in 2017. The multidisciplinary clinic provides diagnosis and treatment for Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative diseases and has cared for more than 33,000 patients from 29 states.

The Foundation's work also extends to families and caregivers. In 2024, it launched Pat's Gameplan, a free resource designed to help families navigate dementia care, including legal and financial planning, safety, nutrition and more. The website has received more than 1 million visits in less than two years.

The new white paper builds on that commitment by examining the growing challenges facing patients and families and identifying opportunities to improve access to care as demand rises.

Read the full white paper

Alzheimer's Disease and the Growing Concern: Rising Gaps in Diagnosis, Treatment and Access to Care explores the changing landscape of Alzheimer's diagnosis and treatment, the shortage of specialists, the impact on caregivers, and priorities for strengthening dementia care nationwide.

https://patsummitt.org/impact/understanding-the-gaps/

About the Pat Summitt Foundation

The Pat Summitt Foundation is dedicated to advancing research, supporting patients and caregivers, and educating the public about Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia. Founded by legendary University of Tennessee women's basketball coach Pat Summitt, who was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's disease in 2011, the Foundation works to improve the lives of individuals and families affected by the disease through research, education, advocacy and support.

SOURCE Pat Summitt Foundation