Many of us have experienced the heartbreak of watching a loved one's memory and connection with family and friends slip away. Today, millions of people suffer from Alzheimer's disease, and experts expect that number to increase rapidly as the baby boomer generation ages.1 While we don't know for sure what causes Alzheimer's or other forms of dementia, researchers believe that genetics, lifestyle, and environmental factors may play a role. Minimize fear and anxiety for yourself and your loved ones by learning more about these diseases.
Dementia is a general term to describe specific symptoms that interfere with daily routines, like decline in memory, reasoning, and other thinking skills. It’s not part of normal aging.
Alzheimer's is the most common form of dementia. It’s a progressive brain disease that gets worse over time and slowly destroys memory, thinking, and the ability to learn new things. It often affects a person’s behavior, personality, and communication skills. There is no cure.
Risk factors2
While there is no cure and researchers don’t know exactly what causes dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, they have identified a few risk factors that increase the likelihood of developing the disease.
- Age. Majority of people with Alzheimer's are 65 or older, and the risk for diagnosis increases as you age.
- Family history. Those who have a parent, brother, or sister with Alzheimer’s are more likely to develop it than those who don’t. The risk increases if more than one family member has the disease.
- Race. In the US, Black and Hispanic older adults are at a more increased risk than White older adults.
- Sex. Women are disproportionally affected, making up nearly 67% of American cases.
- Genetics. Genes have a large impact on Alzheimer’s. Variations in certain genes, for example the APOE gene, can increase risks.
- Heart-brain connection. Conditions that affect the heart and blood vessels (such as stroke and diabetes) are directly linked to an increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s.
Signs of Alzheimer's/Dementia
Not every cognitive stumble means your loved one needs a diagnosis, but many families dismiss the signs of this disease when their loved one is still in the early stage.
When a loved one shows signs of a change in judgment or memory, the first step is to determine whether it's a normal sign of aging or something else. Many of us will experience some type of cognitive impairment as we age. Indeed, many older people find their short-term memory is less sharp, and it's more difficult to multitask. Losses in memory, attention, or problem-solving ability aren't necessarily signs of dementia (see table below).
| Signs of Alzheimer's/Dementia | Typical age-related changes |
| Poor judgment and decision-making | Making a bad decision once in a while |
| Inability to manage a budget | Missing a monthly payment |
| Losing track of the date or the season | Forgetting which day it is and remembering it later |
| Difficulty having a conversation | Sometimes forgetting which word to use |
| Misplacing things often and being unable to retrace steps to find them | Losing things from time to time |
| Source: Alzheimer's Association. | |
How can you tell whether these cognitive changes are more serious? The Alzheimer's Association, a national care, support, and research organization, offers 10 Early Signs and Symptoms of Alzheimer's. They include looking for personality and mood changes, decreased or poor judgment, and confusion with time or place.
Regular check-ins and conversations with your loved one can also help identify problems early. Look for changes in their normal routine. Piles of unopened mail and unpaid bills may be a sign that something's wrong. You can also encourage your loved one to take you to an appointment with their primary care doctor so you can better determine whether there's been any change in their health or adjustments to prescriptions. To add, trusted professionals such as financial advisors or accountants may be in a position to notice changes in long-time clients. For example, reviewing assets and investments may be difficult to do for someone with cognitive impairment.
Brain health tips: reduce your risks3
Research has also shown that positive lifestyle habits can help keep your brain healthy and may reduce your risk of developing dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. Here are tips to help lower the risk of cognitive decline.
- Exercise regularly. Studies have found an association between physical activity and brain health.
- Take a class. Formal education in any stage of life can help reduce risks of cognitive decline.
- Stop smoking. Quitting can reduce the cognitive decline risks comparable to those who haven’t smoked.
- Keep your heart healthy. Cardiovascular disease risks like obesity and high blood pressure may also impact brain health.
- Avoid head injuries. Wear a seatbelt and use a helmet when playing contact sports or riding a bike.
- Eat healthy. A diet lower in fat and higher in vegetables and fruit can help reduce the risk of cognitive decline.
- Get some sleep. Insomnia, sleep apnea or other sleep issues may result in memory and thinking problems.
- Stay mentally fit. Seek medical treatment for depression, anxiety, or other mental health concerns.
- Stay socially engaged. Pursue social activities that are meaningful to you, like volunteering or singing in a choir.
- Challenge and activate your mind. Build a piece of furniture, complete a jigsaw puzzle, or play games that make you think strategically.
Alzheimer’s resources
- ALZNavigatorTM: Find resources to help assess you or your loved one’s needs and create an action plan.
- Community Resource Finder: Get easy access to community programs, housing options, medical services, and other resources.
- ALZConnected®: Connect with other people affected by dementia.
- Alzheimer's Association: www.alz.org or all the Alzheimer's Association 24-hour help line at 800-272-3900 for caregiver and family resources.