Latest SC Alzheimer’s Disease Registry Report provides county-specific insight as search for cure continues

COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO) — Wednesday morning, officials announced the release of the 35th Annual “South Carolina Alzheimer’s Disease Registry Report.”

According to the Office for the Study of Aging, South Carolina is only one of four states in the U.S. that has an Alzheimer’s registry.

The only other three states? Georgia, Virginia, and West Virginia.

The report provides county-specific data to the public and to policymakers — including hotspots for the disease and resources needed within a specific area.

Dr. Maggi Miller is the Registry Manager.

“Recent data from the Alzheimer’s Association projects that by 2025, South Carolina will be ranked 7th in the nation for the highest increase for individuals 65 and over with Alzheimer’s disease,” says Miller.

According to the findings, the Pee Dee region of South Carolina has the highest rates of dementia — as well as higher rates of heart disease and diabetes.

As an example, the report is also able to pinpoint the Pee Dee as an area with higher levels of poverty, and lower levels of access to care.

Taylor Wilson is the Director of Government Affairs with the Alzheimer’s Association’s South Carolina Chapter.

“When we look at South Carolina, an 80% rural state, we can’t have conversations about dementia, unless we’re talking about dementia in rural communities. And how do we lift those caregivers up and support them, ensure they have access to individuals who are trained in diagnosis, and also locations to where they can comfortably drive and affordably drive to talk to a neurologist,” says Wilson.

By studying the hotspots, Wilson believes scientists are able to come one step closer to finding a cure for the disease.

“Why is there a concentration of dementia diagnosis here? Do we have a primary care provider who’s really great at recognizing the signs and symptoms of dementia? Do we have a church or community center that’s really helpful at getting caregivers to get their loved one to a primary care provider? Or is something else happening? Can researchers go in and look at environmental, genetic, lifestyle factors, is there comorbidities like high blood pressure or diabetes that are contributing to it. It allows us to go in and look at special populations,” says Wilson.

While there is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease or dementia yet, researchers say lifestyle interventions including eating healthier foods, exercising, and spending less time alone may help prevent the sickness.

And other states getting on board with a registry would help speed up the process of finding a cure as well.

Megan Byers is the Co-Director for the Office of the Study of Aging.

“The more data, the more evidence we have, to say this is what’s happening, the more support we can get for funding and other partners to say okay now this is what we need to do. This is how to resolve it in our state, in our nation, and in the world,” Byers says.

Of the 122,000 people living with Alzheimer’s or dementia in South Carolina, the report finds that 61% are women.  It also finds that the 23% of African Americans with the disease are 34% more likely to have Alzheimer’s than their white counterparts.

To read the full report, click here.