Brain health should be top of mind as we age.
Nearly 7 million Americans have been diagnosed with dementia, which slowly erodes memory, thinking skills and ability to perform basic tasks.
Now, economists at the nonprofit research organization RAND have identified several factors that can strongly predict at age 60 whether you’ll develop cognitive impairment and dementia by age 80, including never drinking alcohol — or drinking heavily — and you are less conscientious or responsive.
“Understanding risk factors can enable health care providers and policymakers to identify groups at higher risk so they can direct resources to delay cognitive decline or address its effects,” said Peter Hudomiet, lead author of Tuesday’s report and a senior economist at RAND. .
The think tank used a survey of nearly 20,000 adults over 50 to examine 181 potential risk factors, including demographics, socioeconomic status and health behaviors, to see which were most associated with developing dementia.
Strong predictors of dementia
- Being in poor physical health
- Suffering a stroke
- Not having a private health insurance plan at age 60
- I have never worked or only worked for a few years
- Having diabetes or a body mass index of 35 or more out of 60
- Never exercising
- Low score on physical tests (such as breathing, grip strength, walking speed and balance)
- Never drink alcohol or drink excessively
- Having a less conscientious personality
- Having some genes
- Not really engaging in hobbies or activities that involve learning
Poor predictors of dementia
- Parents’ health
- Family size
- Marital history
- Race and ethnicity
The researchers recommend that older adults consider making lifestyle changes, such as exercising more, consuming alcohol in moderation, working extra years, taking up hobbies after retirement, and maintaining good physical health.
They also suggest asking for cognitive assessments during annual checkups. RAND found that out-of-pocket costs were the strongest barrier to undergoing a cognitive test, returning for follow-up appointments, and receiving dementia treatments.
The researchers noted that early detection of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias is critical for better treatment outcomes.
“Expanding the use of cognitive assessments is an important strategy to identify patients who may benefit from current and future treatments for Alzheimer’s and related dementias,” said Susann Rohwedder, a senior economist at RAND. “The assessments provided individuals with information that could facilitate action to prepare for the future.”
The RAND report comes four months after the Lancet Commission, made up of 27 dementia experts, revealed 14 modifiable lifestyle factors that it identified accounted for nearly half of dementia cases.
The factors are lower levels of education, hearing loss, high blood pressure, smoking, obesity, depression, physical inactivity, diabetes, excessive alcohol consumption, traumatic brain injury, air pollution, social isolation, loss of eyesight and high cholesterol.
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