Concerned You or a Loved One may be becoming forgetful?

First, you are not alone. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), “Dementia is a rapidly growing global public health problem. Worldwide around 50 million people have dementia…the total number of people with dementia is projected to reach 85 million in 2030 and 152 million in 2050.” Getting a cognitive screening done, even if you are not concerned about memory loss or any other changes, is a good idea. Having a baseline on file can be very helpful later on if things start to change. Experts say that early detection is key.

Second, age is the strongest known reason people become forgetful, or have cognitive decline. Though dementia is not always age-related it is associated with cognitive decline. Several recent studies show a connection between cognitive decline and dementia with lifestyle factors such as physical inactivity, tobacco use, unhealthy diets and harmful use of alcohol. Certain medical conditions are associated with an increased risk of developing dementia including hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol, obesity and depression. Other risk factors are social isolation and cognitive inactivity (not doing things that use or “exercise” the brain).

WHO strongly recommends the following to reduce the risk of cognitive decline:

• Stay or become physically active

• Stop smoking

• Manage hypertension

• Manage diabetes

Other things that may help some with reducing the risk of cognitive decline are:

• Physical activity may be recommended to adults with mild cognitive impairment.

• Nutritional changes — The Mediterranean-like diet may be recommended to adults with normal cognition and mild cognitive impairment.

• Interventions for alcohol use disorders aimed at reducing or ceasing hazardous and harmful drinking should be offered to adults with normal cognition and mild cognitive impairment.

• Cognitive interventions may be offered to older adults with normal cognition and with mild cognitive impairment.

• Weight management interventions for mid-life overweight and/or obesity may be offered.

• Management of hypertension may be offered to adults with hypertension.

• Management of diabetes may be offered to adults with diabetes

• Management of cholesterol and other fats at mid-life may be offered.

Finally there is insufficient evidence that the following reduce the risk of cognitive decline/dementia:

• Social activity – However social participation and social support are strongly connected to good health and wellbeing throughout life and social inclusion should be supported over the life-course.

• The use of antidepressant medicines. These should only be used if there is a depressive component to the dementia or the depression existed prior to the cognitive decline.

• The use of hearing aids. These should only be recommended after a thorough hearing test with someone who understands the effects of dementia on hearing.

If you have questions, want a free, quick and completely confidential memory screening, contact the Alzheimer’s Resource of Alaska in Wasilla at (907) 864-3403 to set up an appointment for screening.