AUTHORS: Fidelity Investments and Harris Interactive

METHODOLOGY: The study surveyed 369 advisors in the U.S. to gauge their understanding of Alzheimer's and their preparedness for dealing with clients who have the disease.

MAJOR FINDINGS: A 65-year-old couple retiring in 2009 will need $240,000 in retirement just to cover medical expenses. That cost doubles to $495,000 if one spouse develops a debilitating disease such as Alzheimer's, and could increase dramatically if the stricken spouse lives beyond his or her life expectancy.

Fifty-nine percent of advisors say they have put plans in place for all clients in the event that they are diagnosed with a progressive disease such as Alzheimer's, and 41% choose to address the issue as the need arises. Since 2006, 54% of advisors have seen higher demand for products like long-term-care insurance.

Fidelity found that 96% of advisors do not feel fully prepared to assist clients with Alzheimer's. In addition, half of advisors say that in cases where they suspect a client is suffering from the disease, they are not comfortable raising the subject. Their reasons include fear that they have misread symptoms, and lack of sufficient expertise. Nevertheless, very few advisors are willing to transfer their clients to another professional.

Fidelity has put together best-practices guidelines for dealing with this issue. They include: training staff to recognize symptoms of Alzheimer's, creating a specialty in the firm to serve clients with dementia-related diseases and developing a relationship with the Alzheimer's Association. The guidelines were developed using feedback from professionals who have dealt with patients living with the disease.

THE AUTHOR SAYS: "With an aging client base and more than 10 million baby boomers expected to develop Alzheimer's in their lifetime, if advisors haven't already been impacted by the disease in their practices, the odds are they soon will be," said Gail Graham, executive vice president of Fidelity Investments.

PROMOTION: Fidelity provides a special kit developed by HBO to help advisors hold a screening of the HBO documentary The Alzheimer's Project. The kit includes a DVD of the film, a glossary and resource list, and tips for hosting the event and moderating a discussion about the disease.