Many older adults implement strategies, like crossword puzzles and supplements to stave off dementia, but do these strategies actually work?

 

Research shows that potentially 45% of dementia cases can be prevented or delayed through a series of personal and societal changes.

 

Because my goal is to give you the most up to date scientific information, I wanted to share with you a new Lancet report from July 31, 2024 on 2 new modifiable risk factors for dementia, bringing the total to 14.

 

14 Evidence-Based Modifiable Risk Factors For Dementia

According to the Lancet Commission’s 2024 Report on dementia prevention, intervention, and care, there are 14 evidence-based modifiable risk factors for dementia, including:

• Less education
• Head injury
• Physical inactivity
• Smoking
• Excessive alcohol consumption
• Hypertension
• Obesity
• Diabetes
• Hearing loss
• Depression
• Infrequent social contact
• Air pollution
• Vision loss (new)
• High cholesterol (new)

​

When all of these risk factors are modified, potentially 45% of dementia cases can be prevented or delayed whether or not you have the APOE gene (the Alzheimer’s gene) – this really is mind blowing.

 

Here’s an image from the Lancet 2024 article breaking down the risk factors across the lifespan.

​

​Now that we know the modifiable risk factors for preventing or delaying dementia, here’s what  the Lancet Commission recommends that you do to prevent or delay dementia.

 

2024 Lancet Commission’s Specific Recommendations To Prevent or Delay Dementia

• Ensure good quality education is available for all and encourage cognitively stimulating activities in midlife to protect cognition.
• Make hearing aids accessible for people with hearing loss and decrease harmful noise exposure to reduce hearing loss.
• Treat depression effectively.
• Encourage use of helmets and head protection in contact sports and on bicycles.
• Encourage exercise because people who participate in sport and exercise are less likely to develop dementia.
• Reduce cigarette smoking through education, price control, and preventing smoking in public places, and make smoking cessation advice accessible.
• Prevent or reduce hypertension and maintain systolic blood pressure of 130 mm Hg or less from age 40 years.
• Detect and treat high LDL cholesterol from midlife.
• Maintain a healthy weight and treat obesity as early as possible, which also helps to prevent diabetes.
• Reduce high alcohol consumption through price control and increased awareness of levels and risks of overconsumption.
• Prioritize age-friendly and supportive community environments and housing, and reduce social isolation by facilitating participation in activities and living with others.
• Make screening and treatment for vision loss accessible for all.
• Reduce exposure to air pollution.

​

The Lancet Commission also recommends being ambitious about prevention starting early in life and continuing throughout the lifespan.

​

Did you notice something missing from this list?

Sleep. Anxiety. PTSD. Severe Mental Illness. Diet. Infection. Menopause. 

 

​The Lancet Commission addresses these domains as potential risk factors in their report as well, and note that these domains are correlated with dementia, but explain that at this time there is not enough research to prove that these are causal of dementia.

 

There are so many places that YOU, as mental health providers, senior care providers, friends, and family can be helpful in reducing dementia risk.

​

Here’s my challenge for you

Review the list of recommendations above and choose one domain to begin to make changes with in your own life. Then share this list with others.

 

I tell you this every time we talk, and I’ll keep saying it, because it really does matter…

 

It’s only with your help that older adults will get the mental health care they need so thank you for being here and doing your part.