By Bob DeMarco
Alzheimer's Reading Room
Editor Regardless of age, you should be worried about Alzheimer's.
This is the first in a series of articles that discusses what you can be do to maintain a healthy body and brain--and help delay the onset or ward off Alzheimer's disease.
First, some background on Alzheimer's disease.
A Harris Interactive poll showed that 100 million Americans are touched by Alzheimer. The same poll showed that more than 33 million Americans are worried about getting Alzheimer's.
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Here is something that is not well known--15,000 Americans are turning 62 years old each day. Are they worried about Alzheimer's?
They should be because they are entering the danger zone. Every 70 seconds someone is diagnosed with Alzheimer's. By the middle of the century someone will develop Alzheimer's every 33 seconds.*
Looking into the statistics is more revealing.
At age 65 the risk of dementia is about one percent. Not too scary.
At age 71 the risk of dementia rises to 14 percent, about one out of every seven people.
At age 85 look around you, one out of every two people are likely to suffer from dementia.
I live in Palm Beach County, Florida--they are 59,000 documented cases of dementia.
Current demographic analysis indicates that by the time the first baby boomer reaches 85 years old there will 3.5 million people 85 and older suffering from Alzheimer's.
Getting worried? You should be. When you are diagnosed it is too late. Are there ways to ward off the onset of Alzheimer's and dementia. Answer: Yes.
I will be discussing several ways that you can try and protect yourself against dementia and Alzheimer's in the next two weeks.
Coming soon. Are you worried about Alzheimer's? Tips #1 through #5
Tidbit
Exercise can dramatically reduce your risk of stroke, which is the brain equivalent of a heart attack.
If you survive a stroke, you have a significant increased risk of cognitive impairment, memory loss, and Alzheimer's disease.
A report from the Archives of Neurology showed that people with a history of full-blown stroke were about 60% more likely to receive a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease than were those with no history of stroke.
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I am now reminded that when my parents reached their 70s they often said they might not be here next year.
My mother is now 93 years old. At age 85, she was one of the most active, plugged-in persons you would ever meet. In her community they still talk glowingly about her, and how amazing she was at that age.
My mother often referred to the new 65 year old retirees as the old ladies. Two of my mother's five best friends suffered from Alzheimer's. Three out of six? Right on target.
Many of those 'old ladies' my mother talked about are now hitting 80. I wonder--will 50 percent of those women suffer from dementia.
My mother Dorothy, now 93 years old, suffers from Alzheimer's. I love her, but you don't want to be her.
You decide.
*2009 Alzheimer's Disease Facts and Figures
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Bob DeMarco is the editor of the Alzheimer's Reading Room and an Alzheimer's caregiver. The Alzheimer's Reading Room is the number one website on the Internet for news, advice, and insight into Alzheimer's disease. Bob has written more than 800 articles with more than 18,000 links on the Internet. Bob resides in Delray Beach, FL.
Original content Bob DeMarco, Alzheimer's Reading Room
Alzheimer's Reading Room
Editor
Regardless of age, you should be worried about Alzheimer's.
This is the first in a series of articles that discusses what you can be do to maintain a healthy body and brain--and help delay the onset or ward off Alzheimer's disease.
First, some background on Alzheimer's disease.
A Harris Interactive poll showed that 100 million Americans are touched by Alzheimer. The same poll showed that more than 33 million Americans are worried about getting Alzheimer's.
Here is something that is not well known--15,000 Americans are turning 62 years old each day. Are they worried about Alzheimer's?
They should be because they are entering the danger zone. Every 70 seconds someone is diagnosed with Alzheimer's. By the middle of the century someone will develop Alzheimer's every 33 seconds.*
Looking into the statistics is more revealing.
At age 65 the risk of dementia is about one percent. Not too scary.
At age 71 the risk of dementia rises to 14 percent, about one out of every seven people.
At age 85 look around you, one out of every two people are likely to suffer from dementia.
I live in Palm Beach County, Florida--they are 59,000 documented cases of dementia.
Current demographic analysis indicates that by the time the first baby boomer reaches 85 years old there will 3.5 million people 85 and older suffering from Alzheimer's.
Getting worried? You should be. When you are diagnosed it is too late. Are there ways to ward off the onset of Alzheimer's and dementia. Answer: Yes.
I will be discussing several ways that you can try and protect yourself against dementia and Alzheimer's in the next two weeks.
Coming soon. Are you worried about Alzheimer's? Tips #1 through #5
Tidbit
Exercise can dramatically reduce your risk of stroke, which is the brain equivalent of a heart attack.
If you survive a stroke, you have a significant increased risk of cognitive impairment, memory loss, and Alzheimer's disease.
A report from the Archives of Neurology showed that people with a history of full-blown stroke were about 60% more likely to receive a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease than were those with no history of stroke.
I am now reminded that when my parents reached their 70s they often said they might not be here next year.
My mother is now 93 years old. At age 85, she was one of the most active, plugged-in persons you would ever meet. In her community they still talk glowingly about her, and how amazing she was at that age.
My mother often referred to the new 65 year old retirees as the old ladies. Two of my mother's five best friends suffered from Alzheimer's. Three out of six? Right on target.
Many of those 'old ladies' my mother talked about are now hitting 80. I wonder--will 50 percent of those women suffer from dementia.
My mother Dorothy, now 93 years old, suffers from Alzheimer's. I love her, but you don't want to be her.
You decide.
*2009 Alzheimer's Disease Facts and Figures
Popular articles on the Alzheimer's Reading Room
Original content Bob DeMarco, Alzheimer's Reading Room