Underwriting Alzheimer's dementia.

Alzheimer’s Dementia (AD) is a disease of the elderly, although it tragically can affect individuals at younger ages. The age adjusted annual death rate, based on United States population data, shows a tenfold increase from 0.004/1000 in 1979 to 0.042/1000 in 1987. The cause for this dramatic change may be twofold. First, the true incidence or prevalence may have increased. Secondly, due to increased physician awareness, 2 the impairment may be diagnosed more frequently. We occasionally see applicants with either an established or suspected diagnosis. Also, we see applicants whose physicians note nonspecific but worrisome complaints such as forgetfulness or memory loss.