
Alzheimer’s Is Not a Normal Part of Aging
Know the risks and symptoms of Alzheimer's disease
Feb 17, 2021
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Know the risks and symptoms of Alzheimer's disease
Did you know?
Alzheimer’s and dementia aren’t the same thing. Alzheimer’s is one of many types of dementia. It’s also the most common, contributing to 60%-70% of dementia cases.
Advanced age
Family history
Genetics
Traumatic brain injury
Heart or cardiovascular problems like high blood pressure, high cholesterol and heart disease
Obesity
Smoking
Sedentary lifestyle
Social isolation
Diabetes
Did you know?
Although advanced age is the biggest risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease, roughly 200,000 people under the age of 65 have early onset Alzheimer’s.
Memory loss that disrupts daily life
Trouble concentrating when doing things like paying bills or following a recipe
Difficulty completing familiar, once-easy tasks like driving to the grocery store
Losing track of time and place
Visual and spatial problems like trouble reading or balancing
Struggles with talking and/or writing clearly
Misplacing things
Decreased ability to make decisions and/or use good judgment
Self-isolation and withdrawal from social activities
Mood swings and anxiety
If you notice these signs in yourself or a loved one, don’t be afraid to speak up and seek help. Early detection is key to effectively treating Alzheimer’s.
Women make up ⅔ of Alzheimer’s cases in the United States
African Americans are twice as likely to develop Alzheimer’s as white Americans
Hispanic Americans are 1½ times more likely to develop Alzheimer’s than white Americans
Women and women of color bear an estimated 80% of the disease’s total financial burden, including medical costs, elder care and assisted living
⅔ of dementia caregivers are women | ⅓ of dementia caregivers are daughters |
Eat heart healthy food
Engage in physical exerciseGet plenty of sleep
Minimize stress
Stimulate your brain by reading, learning a language or taking up a new hobby
Maintain social connections to lower the risk of cognitive decline
Take care of your heart health
Start taking preventive steps now! Alzheimer’s begins 20 years or more before symptoms arise. The sooner you make healthy lifestyle choices, the better.
Did you know?
More than a third of global dementia cases can be avoided through a healthy lifestyle, according to a 2017 study.
This resource was created with support from Biogen.