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What is dementia? -

Before we dive into the results of the recent study, let’s first take a look at what dementia is and how it affects people.

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General definition -

In a nutshell, dementia is a disease that affects a person’s memory, concentration, thinking, and judgment.

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Alzheimer's disease -

The term dementia is an umbrella term, meaning that there are lots of different types. The most common, and probably the best-known, is Alzheimer’s disease.

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Alzheimer's disease -

Alzheimer's disease takes a long time to develop; the silent brain changes that eventually lead to Alzheimer’s can start up to two decades before symptoms appear.

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Vascular dementia -

Another common type of dementia is vascular dementia, which happens when blood flow to the brain is impaired, either by heart disease or a series of small strokes.

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Multiple cause dementia -

It is important to note that in many people with dementia, there are multiple causes. For example, someone could have vascular problems that exacerbate their Alzheimer’s symptoms.

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Age as a risk factor -

Scientists have known for some time now that the risk of developing dementia increases with age. The new study, however, sheds more light on this topic.

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The study at hand -

In the study, researchers tracked the heart health and cognitive function of around 15,000 older adults over the course of several decades.

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Adults aged 55-75 -

Only 4% of the participants developed dementia between the ages of 55 and 75. One of the researchers in the study described that period as a "key window" for protecting brain health.

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Over 85 -

According to the results of the study, the dementia risk then jumped to 20% by age 85, and to 42% for people aged between 85 and 95.

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Men vs. women -

In general, the lifetime dementia risk was higher for women, but that is because women tend to live longer than men.

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The role of the aging population -

Given that the risk of developing dementia increases with age, the projected rise in the number of cases can largely be attributed to the fact that the population is aging.

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Baby Boomers in the US -

The Boomer generation, which encompasses people born between 1946 and 1964, is the second largest generation in the US after millennials.

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Numbers -

In 2020, for example, there were around 73 million Boomers living in the US. In 2025, the youngest of them are at least 60 years old.

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Looking ahead -

By 2040, all those Boomers will be older than 75, after which age the likelihood of developing dementia was shown to increase dramatically.

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Allaying fears -

Given this explanation for the rise in figures, the situation seems a little less daunting.

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Understandable concern -

It is understandable, however, that people should be concerned about dementia and keen to know what they can do to limit their risk.

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The role of genetics -

The first thing to note is that a person’s risk of developing dementia is in part determined by their genetics. 

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The APOE gene -

Research shows that there is a particular gene called APOE that puts older adults at a higher risk of developing dementia.

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Two copies -

Indeed, older adults with two copies of this gene, which is involved with carrying cholesterol and other fat through the bloodstream, have a 59% risk of developing dementia in older age.

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One or no copies -

Older adults with only one copy of the gene have a 48% risk, whereas those with no copy have a 39% risk.

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Prevention measures -

While the risk of dementia is largely driven by age and genetic factors, there are nonetheless certain lifestyle choices you can make to improve your chances.

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Wear a helmet -

One of the most important things you can do is to wear a helmet when doing activities such as bike riding.

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Wear a helmet -

Studies have shown that suffering repeated or severe brain injuries as a result of crashes or falls can increase a person’s risk of developing dementia in later life.

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Look after your heart -

It is also important to take proper care of your heart as well as your head. Experts are keen for people to understand that what is good for your heart is also good for your brain.

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Look after your heart -

Eating a balanced diet and exercising regularly can help you avoid obesity and control your blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes risk.

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High blood pressure as a risk factor -

Neglecting to control your blood pressure can impair blood flow to the brain, which is a risk factor for developing vascular dementia.

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Diabetes as a risk factor -

The high blood sugar in a person with poorly controlled diabetes has also been linked to cognitive decline and inflammation in the brain.

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Stay active -

Last but not least, it is important to stay active, both cognitively and socially, as well as physically.

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Use a hearing aid -

If you become hard of hearing, don’t be afraid to use a hearing aid. Not hearing properly can lead to fewer social interactions and increased isolation.

Sources: (EuroNews) (CNN)

See also: These heart issues could be early indicators of dementia risk

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