Four Top Risk Factors For Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer’s disease is a form of dementia, and while the two terms are often used interchangeably, they are not the same. While Alzheimer’s refers to a specific disease (similar to saying diabetes is a disease), dementia is an umbrella term that can be used to describe a large variety of symptoms (similar to saying cancer is an umbrella term). A person can have dementia and not have Alzheimer’s disease, but someone with Alzheimer’s disease will display dementia symptoms. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia, and it is a specific brain disease in which the symptoms will continue to worsen as your loved one ages.

Risk Factors for Developing Alzheimer’s Disease

While many factors determine whether or not Alzheimer’s Disease is likely for an individual, none of them are a guarantee one way or another. Many risk factors can be lessened with lifestyle choices and proper management of other conditions. Four key factors might increase your loved one’s risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.

• Family History. Alzheimer’s Disease and dementia do tend to run in families. Your loved one will be at greater risk for Alzheimer’s disease if she had a parent, brother, or sister who also had or has the disease. If multiple family members have had the disease, her risk increases.
• Age. Age is the immutable variable for which there is no cure. Simply getting older increases a person’s risk of developing Alzheimer’s Disease. It’s important to understand it doesn’t guarantee your loved one will develop the disease, it simply increases the risk with each decade of life that your loved one enters. After the age of 65, the risk of developing the disease doubles every ten years and by the age of 85, almost one in three seniors have it.
• Heart-related medical conditions. Because the heart is responsible for pumping blood throughout the body (and to the brain), when the heart isn’t performing as it should, it doesn’t always send enough blood to the brain. That lack of nourishment to the brain can lead to Alzheimer’s disease.
• Head Injuries. A bad head injury or repetitive head injuries (such as those seen in some sports players) can increase a person’s risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. For many elderly who begin to struggle with falling, a bad fall where the head is injured may increase the risk of Alzheimer’s developing.

Early Signs of Alzheimer’s Disease

As a caregiver, you may struggle to know if your loved one is showing the early signs of Alzheimer’s disease. The forgetfulness and poor decision-making that often mark the beginning of Alzheimer’s can also be linked to just getting older. The key is when these symptoms begin to interfere with your loved one’s ability to live independently in a safe manner. Losing keys is aggravating but not dangerous. Forgetting to turn off the oven repeatedly is dangerous.

Arrange for Alzheimer’s Care Now

If your loved one is in the early stages of Alzheimer’s, you can help her remain independent and keep her safe longer by arranging for Alzheimer’s care at home. An Alzheimer’s care provider can assist with daily living chores such as meal prep and transportation and will help your loved one stay independent for a longer time than if she tries to manage it on her own.

https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/what-is-alzheimers/causes-and-risk-factors

If you or an aging loved one are considering Alzheimer’s home care in Lyons, KS, please contact the caring staff at Touching Hearts at Home Central Kansas today. Call 620-603-0685.

Touching Hearts at Home Central Kansas is a Trusted Home Care Agency Barton, Dickinson, Edwards, Ellis, Ellsworth, Great Bend, Hutchinson, Larned, Lyons, Marion, McPherson, Newton, Pawnee, Rice, Reno, Salina, Sedgwick, Stafford, and the surrounding areas.