Matt Rourke / AP, file
An elderly couple walks down a hall in Easton, Pa. As the American population gets older, health organizations offer recommendations to prevent cognitive diseases and decline.
Saturday, June 17, 2023 | 2 a.m.
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The United States is getting older. About 16.8% of the U.S. population, more than 55 million people, are over the age of 65. That number is expected to increase to more than 21% by 2040, with the population of Americans age 85 and older doubling to more than 14 million. It will mark the first time in U.S. history that older adults will outnumber children.
As the number of older Americans increases, cognitive disorders such Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia threaten to cut an especially cruel path through the Baby Boom generation and their family members. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), an estimated that 12 million Americans will suffer from some form of dementia by 2040.
Dementia, which includes Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of cognitive decline, is a chronic condition that impacts everything from memory and recall to social skills. Its effects are severe, and over time, it may hinder a person’s ability to live and function independently. As a result, the time, energy and expense of caring for someone with dementia may take an emotional toll on caregivers.
Fortunately, there is a growing body of evidence that lifestyle changes can mitigate the dificulties that come with dementia and other forms of cognitive decline.
As with any activity, learning and maintaining skills requires practice. Our brains need practice too. While it may be easy and comfortable to rest our brains, comfortable in the knowledge that we have learned and experienced more than enough for one lifetime. However, research shows that learning new things and trying new activities — even those we aren’t good at — can play a big role in maintaining cognitive health.
According to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, whether it’s taking a class, trying a new activity or something else that you’ve never experienced before, forcing your brain to think outside of its normal routine provides valuable cognitive stimulation.
While breaking with routine to try something new can be great exercise for your mind, creating and sticking with a regular exercise routine is essential for maintaining physical fitness. It has also been shown to improve sleep and lower levels of hormones associated with stress and anxiety, all of which are good for the body and for the brain. Perhaps most importantly, exercise can improve our overall mood, something those of us sitting down with our family for Father’s Day will appreciate. The type of exercise is less important than being intentional about engaging in regular physical activity that helps your body and mind stay fit.
One way to combine the two previous recommendations and stay active while engaging in new activities is to maintain an active social life. According to the CDC, prolonged social isolation can increase the risk of dementia-related illnesses, as well as heart disease and stroke.
Spending time with friends and loved ones, participating in group activities, and getting involved in local organizations are all ways to connect with other people, keep your brain active and help you feel more engaged with the world around you. Volunteering for a local charity or nonprofit can be particularly rewarding as it provides opportunities for social connections while benefiting communities and people in need.
Moreover, a recent study from Carnegie Mellon University found that adults over the age of 50 who volunteer regularly, tend to walk more, find it easier to cope with everyday tasks, are less likely to develop high blood pressure and have better thinking skills than their nonvolunteer counterparts. It truly is good for the mind, body and soul.
Of course, doing these things does not guarantee that you won’t be impacted by Alzheimer’s, dementia or other cognitive decline. While memory impairments are not a normal part of aging, they can be caused by a variety of different conditions, many of which are treatable or curable.
That’s why the AFA recommends that all adults, but especially those 65 and older or who are experiencing symptoms of memory loss or declining cognitive ability, should make memory screenings a regular part of their health and wellness routines. Memory screenings are quick, noninvasive tests that can help determine if a further diagnostic evaluation is necessary.
By detecting cognitive declines early, there may be more screening and treatment options available, and patients can play a more active role in developing their own health care, legal, and financial plans. AFA offers free virtual memory screenings every weekday, with no minimum age or insurance prerequisites.
Individuals who would like to learn more about healthy aging, brain health, or memory screenings can contact the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America’s Helpline by phone (866-232-8484), web chat (www.alzfdn.org), or text message (646-586-5283) seven days a week.
