Alzheimer’s prevention is becoming increasingly possible.
Recent scientific updates show that up to 45% of dementia cases may be prevented or delayed by addressing 14 modifiable health and lifestyle risk factors, especially during midlife. New early blood tests and trials targeting amyloid plaques, inflammation, and metabolic health point to a shift toward true prevention.
I believe changing people’s daily habits and preferences to reduce their risk of Alzheimer’s disease will be a steep hill to climb. This will be especially true for people who have no direct experience with Alzheimer’s disease.
As an Alzheimer’s patient, I know firsthand how devastating this fatal disease is. An Alzheimer’s diagnosis is a death sentence. Every Alzheimer’s patient progresses at a different pace, so you may have anywhere from six to fifteen years to live after diagnosis—maybe more and possibly less time.
Many people refer to Alzheimer’s as a long goodbye. This is because many patients suffer for years before dying. Those years—especially the last few—are difficult for the patient, their family, and their friends. The cost of treatment, care, and housing is unreachable for many people.
Alzheimer’s disease robs people of retirement dreams, family accomplishments, and peaceful golden years. Watching children get married and have children is often erased by Alzheimer’s disease. Many Alzheimer’s patients never realize the delight of grandchildren.
If you think Alzheimer’s disease is rare, it is not. Over 7 million people in the United States currently have Alzheimer’s disease as I write this. Here are sobering facts:
7.4 million Americans aged 65 and older are living with Alzheimer’s
About 74% of Americans with Alzheimer’s are 75 years or older
Almost two-thirds of Americans living with Alzheimer’s are women
Without medical breakthroughs, this U.S. number is projected to reach 13.8 million by 2060
Roughly 33 to 38 million people globally are living with Alzheimer’s disease
A cure for Alzheimer’s is likely decades away. There are a few new treatments designed to slow the disease’s progression; however, their cost and limited effect make these drugs questionable. Other drugs to treat symptoms and slow progression are in development and testing. Drug development moves at a snail’s pace, and the cost is enormous.
Prevention and early testing are common-sense solutions until a cure is found.
The 14 modifiable health and lifestyle risk factors are:
Less education
Head injury
Physical inactivity
Smoking
Excessive alcohol consumption
Hypertension
Obesity
Diabetes
Hearing loss
Depression
Vision loss
Infrequent social contact
Air pollution
High cholesterol
Details about these modifiable risk factors are available on a blog post I recently published.
I have early-stage Alzheimer’s disease, and I am 68 years old. I decided to spend my remaining years (as long as the disease allows) as an Alzheimer’s advocate. Raising awareness about Alzheimer’s is critical. Encouraging prevention of the disease is more important.
In addition to using my two Substack platforms and social media, the Crazy Cat Man character will serve as a reminder about the importance of preventing Alzheimer’s. The character has been updated; I am no longer holding a Linus-style blanket. This means the Crazy Cat Man and his sidekick cat, Big Bit, are ready to spread the word about Alzheimer’s prevention.
Apparel featuring Crazy Cat Man and Big Bit has been designed with funny and catchy slogans and graphics. I will continue to write about the importance of Alzheimer’s prevention.
This is a monumental task, and as the saying goes, it will take a village to be successful. Will you join me in talking about how to reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s with the ultimate goal of prevention?
My blog will provide up-to-date facts about prevention. Take this information and use it on your social media. Wear Crazy Cat Man merchandise and watch people ask questions. A grassroots campaign has the potential to make a significant difference. Maybe this movement can reduce the number of people expected to have Alzheimer’s in coming years.
Best,
Greg
PS - Allow me to introduce you to the new Crazy Cat Man & Big Bit.
