Today, there are nearly 7 million people aged 65 and older in the U.S. are living with Alzheimer’s dementia, including 236,200 in Ohio.
The lifetime risk for the disease at age 45 is 1 in 5 for women and 1 in 10 for men. The brain changes that cause Alzheimer’s are thought to begin 20 years or more before symptoms start, which suggests that there may be a substantial window of time in which we can intervene in the progression of the disease.
Experts believe there isn’t a single cause of Alzheimer’s, and it’s likely the disease develops as a result of multiple factors. The greatest known risk factor is advancing age. Although some risk factors, like age, cannot be changed, others may be modified to reduce risk – it is estimated that addressing modifiable risk factors might prevent or delay up to 40% of dementia cases.
“Everyone, whatever their age, needs to take charge of their brain health,” said Pam Myers, senior director, programs for the Alzheimer’s Association Northwest Ohio and Central Ohio Chapters. “There are steps we can take to reduce the risk of cognitive decline.”
The Alzheimer’s Association offers 5 suggestions to take charge of brain health:
1. Incorporate healthy habits that may reduce the risk of cognitive decline. Research shows that adopting healthy habits may reduce the risk of cognitive decline. The Alzheimer’s Association encourages individuals to incorporate 10 Healthy Habits to reduce the risk of cognitive decline. It’s never too early or too late to take charge of your brain.
2. Recognize the early warning signs. Many people equate Alzheimer’s with memory loss, and while that is one of the most common signs, there are other signs of cognitive decline, including altered judgment, mood changes, challenges in decision-making, and completing projects. Some memory changes can be a normal part of aging, but when changes start to interfere with daily living or stray drastically from a person’s normal behavior, it’s best to talk with a healthcare provider. Find the 10 signs at alz.org/10signs.
The Northwest Ohio Chapter offers monthly education programs on understanding Alzheimer’s, the 10 warning signs, caregiving topics and more. The monthly schedule can be found on the website at alz.org/nwohio.
3. Proactively address memory and thinking problems. Many individuals experiencing memory and thinking problems often put off discussing them with a doctor. A 2022 Alzheimer’s Association report found that 60% of U.S. adults say they would not see a doctor right away if they were experiencing symptoms of mild cognitive impairment. Rather, they would wait until symptoms worsened or until family and friends expressed concern.
Early detection and diagnosis of Alzheimer’s and dementia offers the best opportunity for care, disease management and treatment. It also provides individuals with more time to plan for the future, participate in clinical trials and live a higher quality of life. There are now treatments that may slow disease progression in the early stages of cognitive decline, making a timely diagnosis critically important.
4. Help accelerate disease-related research. Clinical trials hold the key to treatment. Individuals living with the disease, caregivers and healthy volunteers are needed for clinical trials that help advance research. TrialMatch® is a free, easy-to-use service that connects individuals with appropriate trials.
5. Volunteer. According to research presented at the 2023 Alzheimer’s Association International Conference, volunteering is associated with improved cognitive function. Volunteers make an impact on the lives of people facing Alzheimer’s and are about fighting this devastating disease, honoring loved ones, and bringing care and support to those who need it.
More information about volunteer opportunities is available at alz.org/nwohio/volunteer.
There are 236,200 Ohioans 65 and older living with Alzheimer’s disease according to the Alzheimer’s Association 2024 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures. A total of 414,000 Ohio caregivers provide 624 million hours of unpaid care each year, valued at $11.4 billion.
Those concerned about themselves or a loved one can contact the Alzheimer’s Association Northwest Ohio Chapter at 419.537.1999 to schedule a care consultation and be connected to free local resources.
