Americans fear developing Alzheimer's disease more than any other major life-threatening disease, including cancer, stroke, heart disease and diabetes, according to a poll from Home Instead Senior Care.

"The survey confirmed what our franchise owners had been hearing from their clients and their families—the majority of Americans feel unprepared to care for a loved one diagnosed with Alzheimer's," says Jeff Huber, president and chief operating officer of Home Instead Inc. "The need for support and education for these families is critical."

The majority of Americans (44 percent) are more scared about developing Alzheimer's than cancer (33 percent). And it's not just about having the disease themselves. When asked if it would be harder to receive an Alzheimer's diagnosis or care for someone with the disease, Americans remain split equally down the middle.