NASHVILLE, TN (WKRN) — Alzheimer’s disease is expected to rise across the country in the coming years, and there’s a significant shortage of dementia care workers, according to new data released by the Alzheimer’s Association.

Twenty US states have been identified as neurological “deserts” by the Alzheimer’s Association, which means they have a projected shortage of doctors and caregivers who specialize in dementia.

Carolyn Berry of Tennessee — one of the 20 “desert” states — says she knows the challenges families of people with cognitive disabilities face. Berry lost both her grandmother and mother to Alzheimer’s disease.

“There are beautiful moments in caring for a loved one that you lose,” said Berry, who added that she is fortunate to have a large family to help with caregiving.

Berry, however, said even the initial diagnosis was problematic.

“We started to suspect some things in her late 60s, had her tested when she was 70,” Berry said. “The testing showed she was on par with her age, which was wrong.”

Kevin Fehr, president and CEO of Amada Senior Care in Tennessee, said the neurological “desert” is partly to blame for the lack of timely diagnosis.

“Because of the lack of neurologists, people with a specialty in this field, the diagnosis is often delayed,” Fehr said.

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, more than 6 million Americans will be living with Alzheimer’s disease in 2023. By 2050, this number is expected to increase to almost 13 million.

“It’s very challenging to recruit and retain qualified caregivers in this field, in part because it’s a low-paying job,” Fehr said.

Ferro’s agency specializes in home care, especially for clients with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. But in recent years, home care has fallen on the shoulders of loved ones amid a shortage of dementia care workers across the state.

Of course, this isn’t just a Tennessee problem. The Alzheimer’s Association reported more than 360,000 unpaid caregivers in the state last year, and the organization estimates that more than 11 million Americans provide similar unpaid caregiving nationwide.

As one such guardian, Berry believes more education, research and training is needed.

“You see the challenges that are emerging in health care in general, but specifically in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia,” Fehr said.

NASHVILLE, TN (WKRN) — Alzheimer’s disease is expected to rise across the country in the coming years, and there’s a significant shortage of dementia care workers, according to new data released by the Alzheimer’s Association.

Twenty US states have been identified as neurological “deserts” by the Alzheimer’s Association, which means they have a projected shortage of doctors and caregivers who specialize in dementia.

Carolyn Berry of Tennessee — one of the 20 “desert” states — says she knows the challenges families of people with cognitive disabilities face. Berry lost both her grandmother and mother to Alzheimer’s disease.

“There are beautiful moments in caring for a loved one that you lose,” said Berry, who added that she is fortunate to have a large family to help with caregiving.

Berry, however, said even the initial diagnosis was problematic.

“We started to suspect some things in her late 60s, had her tested when she was 70,” Berry said. “The testing showed she was on par with her age, which was wrong.”

Kevin Fehr, president and CEO of Amada Senior Care in Tennessee, said the neurological “desert” is partly to blame for the lack of timely diagnosis.

“Because of the lack of neurologists, people with a specialty in this field, the diagnosis is often delayed,” Fehr said.

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, more than 6 million Americans will be living with Alzheimer’s disease in 2023. By 2050, this number is expected to increase to almost 13 million.

“It’s very challenging to recruit and retain qualified caregivers in this field, in part because it’s a low-paying job,” Fehr said.

Ferro’s agency specializes in home care, especially for clients with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. But in recent years, home care has fallen on the shoulders of loved ones amid a shortage of dementia care workers across the state.

Of course, this isn’t just a Tennessee problem. The Alzheimer’s Association reported more than 360,000 unpaid caregivers in the state last year, and the organization estimates that more than 11 million Americans provide similar unpaid caregiving nationwide.

As one such guardian, Berry believes more education, research and training is needed.

“You see the challenges that are emerging in health care in general, but specifically in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia,” Fehr said.