A new report published by the US Alzheimer's Association reveals that women over the age of 60 have a 1 in 6 chance of getting Alzheimer's disease, a much higher figure compared to men, who have a 1 in 11 chance of developing the disease.

The new information comes from a study that surveyed over 3,000 women. Almost two-thirds of those inflicted with the disease, which is the 6th leading cause of death in the US, are women.

The main factor that determines if someone will get the disease are genetics and aging, although the association says "adopting healthy brain life habits might delay or prevent the appearance of Alzheimer's disease."

In addition to the disproportionate affect the disease has on women, women are also more often the caregivers for those with the disease. Care for those with Alzheimer's in the past year cost an estimated $214 billion. The new report makes the point to note that the time spent caring for someone with Alzheimer's can be between 7 and 20 years.

 Source : i24news