Most Common Risk Factors for Dementia
Does your elderly loved one forget things every now and again? If so, this might get you thinking about whether they have dementia or whether they will get dementia. There is not just one way to know who will get dementia and when. However, there are some common risk factors for dementia. If your elderly loved one has these risk factors, you may want to have them see their doctor if they are displaying symptoms of dementia. Even if they don’t have these risk factors, but they are having memory loss more than just a bit, you should have them get assessed, just in case.
Age
Brain function loss mental health concept as a symbol of dementia disease and a losing intelligence and memories as alzheimers as a medical an icon of neurology and thinking problems with a pencil erasing a human head made of gears and cogs.
One of the most common risk factors for dementia is age. The older your elderly loved one gets, the higher their risk of getting dementia will be. Research shows that after the age of 65 the risk of dementia keeps going up each year. This is not something that your elderly loved one can control. However, if they are 65 or older and experiencing symptoms of dementia, make sure to get them an appointment with their doctor.
Genetics
Another one of the common risk factors for dementia is genetics. If your elderly loved one has family members who suffered from dementia, their risk of having this disease is higher. There is a gene called Apolipoprotein E that is commonly linked to dementia. Does your elderly loved one have a family history (usually first-degree relative) of dementia? Do they have symptoms of this disease? If so, be sure to have them see their doctor as soon as you can.
Medical Issues
There are numerous medical issues that are often linked to dementia. Some of these include head trauma, obesity, cardiovascular issues, and stroke. If your elderly loved one experiences any of these health issues, their risk of dementia can double. This is because these health issues cause damage to the heart and/or brain. This type of damage is connected to dementia.
Other Health Issues
There are some other health issues that are often linked to dementia, as well. If your elderly loved one has a psychological condition, neurological issues, or a mild cognitive impairment, they have a higher risk of getting dementia, too.
These are some of the most common risk factors for dementia. Now that you know about these factors, if your elderly loved one falls into these categories and they have symptoms of dementia, you will know to take them to their doctor. If your elderly loved one does get a diagnosis of dementia and you need help caring for them, home care providers are available to provide that care.
Source: https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/assessing-risk-alzheimers-disease
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