Many Maryland residents know that watching a loved one develop Alzheimer's disease can be an extremely difficult and emotional experience. According to a recent news article, as the U.S. population continues to age, more and more people with be diagnosed with the condition. According to the Alzheimer's Association, the number of people with some form of the disease will increase by 25 percent in the next 10 to 15 years.

Early-onset Alzheimer's is listed as one of the Social Security Administration's "Compassionate Allowances," which means that those who suffer from the disease should have their applications for Social Security Disability benefits fast-tracked. However, early-onset Alzheimer's disease has a reputation as being difficult to detect and diagnose. Symptoms like memory loss and confusion are often dismissed as simple an effect of getting older.

Unfortunately, a medical diagnosis is necessary for Social Security Disability applicants. Without a diagnosis, the SSA does not have the necessary documentation to fast-track a decision. This can cause benefits to be delayed and even applications to be denied, which too often leads to a time-consuming appeals process.

Because Alzheimer's disease is expected to effect a much larger population by the year 2025, some are worried that the application process for Social Security Disability benefits may begin to take much longer, leading many people who suffer from the disease into financial problems.

The news article reported that several government agencies are currently working together to develop a plan to ensure that those who suffer from the disease will receive the help that they need. The government has set 2025 as a deadline to have effective treatments and methods to delay and hopefully prevent the illness.

Source: Associated Press, "Alzheimer's families seek help now as government eyes target of 2025 for effective treatment,"Jan. 17, 2012