Time for the Boomers to Pay Attention
The start of the Boomer’s march into senior-hood was 2011. The first Boomers turned 65 years old on 01/01/11. Since that auspicious start – 10,000 Boomers turn 65 everyday and this will continue until 2030. As much as we don’t want to acknowledge that we are getting older the numbers don’t lie. By 2030, 1 in 5 Americans will be over the age of 60. That is a lot of people with memory lapses and slowing brains. Think of the implications for the economy, healthcare, housing, etc. when groups as large as the 70 million Boomers are at risk for Alzheimer’s disease. Where does the responsibility lie? With the Boomers of course! Alzheimer’s disease is primarily a disease of aging. With extended life spans and no preventive measures in place to care for our brains the number of Alzheimer cases has risen sharply.
I have found that when I am talking about brain health, Alzheimer’s disease and dementia with friends (all Boomers), they initially think I am talking about their parents. Then, when I reframe the conversation and make them aware that I am talking about the Boomers, I am met with a blank stare or a comment like “it is too late” followed by a nervous giggle.
Here are a few statistics for the 2014 Alzheimer’s Report. These statistics are about us – the Boomers:
There are 5 million Americans with Alzheimer’s disease now
13 million Americans are projected to have Alzheimer’s by 2050
Aging is the best known risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease
The likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s disease doubles about every five years after age 65
It is the 6th leading cause of death
It is the 5th leading cause of death among adults 65+
What is the perception that Americans have of Alzheimer’s disease?
Dr. Lynda Anderson and Robert Egge, co-chairs of the Leadership Committee of the White House Brain Initiative reported that 44% of Americans fear Alzheimer’s disease more than any other disease including cancer. In their report that say that 75% of Americans are not knowledgeable about Alzheimer’s disease. However Friedman and colleagues report that 75% of adults are concerned or very concerned about the possibility that their memory might worsen with age.
These statements are incongruent. Possible assumptions could be that people are experiencing the aging changes of the brain that make them fearful. If they have never experienced Alzheimer’s disease first hand they could be fearful that they are on the slippery slope to cognitive decline. Fear and denial are strong deterrents from learning about Alzheimer’s disease.
This is so counter productive. Recent research findings in neuroscience have revealed that the brain is malleable and can adapt to change. Even though a viable pharmaceutical treatment still doesn’t exist yet, there has been much research into the impact of healthy lifestyle on the brain. Onset of late stage Alzheimer’s disease is 30% genetic and 70% environment/lifestyle. This means that the way we lead our lives increases or decreases our risk of developing dementia. There is so much promising research being reported on the benefits of physical exercise, mental stimulation, nutrition, socialization and spirituality and their affect on aging brains. The synergy of these practices promotes a healthy brain. The research supports that when these practices are part of everyday life the possibility of delaying the onset of dementia can reach perhaps 10 years.
Boomers can’t be so entrenched in fear and denial that they won’t bring brain healthy practices into their lives. They don’t want to lose their memories to Alzheimer’s disease. And, in a bigger sense they shouldn’t want to push this catastrophe off on our kids or grandkids. Everyone loses.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention issued some directives through their Healthy Aging Research Center:
Messages about cognitive health need be aligned with perceptions of healthy aging or aging well
Messages must be sensitive to diverse cultural views to make them more coherent
I hope to act as a portal of information about the impact of disease processes on the brain and the risk of dementia; to learn how to take proper care of your brain through lifestyle changes; new research as it emerges; the healthy brain, aging brain, Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. I believe if we understand what is happening to our brain we will make the appropriate changes in our lives to maintain a healthy brain through our lifespan.
Have questions or interested in learning more? Contact me at pcfaust@gmail.com