Dementia is typically associated with old age; it can arise in younger people due to a variety of circumstances such as specific forms of dementia and certain inherited diseases. The risk increases with age, especially after the age of 65. However, it is not a normal component of aging, and it can arise in younger people.
What about a person of age 75 years old?
Dementia is not a specific disease, but rather a broad term for the decreased ability to remember, reason, or make judgements, which interferes with doing daily tasks. Everyone is at risk of developing dementia, but some people are more vulnerable than others. These people are considered to be at “higher risk.” A ‘risk factor’ is something that increases a person’s chances of having a condition. This indicates that someone over the age of 75 is more likely to develop dementia than someone under the age of 75.
What about Dementia in younger people?
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia, and it usually affects elderly people. Other types of dementia, such as early-onset Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, frontotemporal dementia, and dementia associated with specific hereditary disorders, can arise in younger people.
Early-onset Alzheimer's
Early-onset Alzheimer’s disease refers to cases that appear before the age of 65 and account for a small proportion of total Alzheimer’s cases. Vascular dementia, on the other hand, can be caused by disorders that damage blood vessels in the brain, such as stroke or small artery disease, and it can affect people of all ages.
Frontotemporal Dementia
Frontotemporal dementia primarily affects the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain, and it most commonly manifests in people between the ages of 40 and 65, however, it can occur at any age. There are also particular genetic diseases that can induce dementia in younger people, such as Huntington’s disease or some kinds of familial Alzheimer’s disease, attributable to inherited congenital abnormalities.
For most people, the most significant risk factors for dementia are age and genes, both of which cannot be avoided. Some dementia risk factors can be avoided by making good lifestyle choices, such as not consuming too much alcohol. However, wider alterations may be required to prevent additional risk factors, such as strong environmental policies to limit air pollution.
How does 'Age' play a role in the development of dementia at times?
Aging is the most significant risk factor for dementia. This means that as a person ages, their risk of dementia rises significantly. Because dementia can take a long time to develop, aging is a risk factor. This is due to the fact that dementia is caused by diseases that harm the brain, such as Alzheimer’s or vascular disease.
It can take years for these disorders to generate enough brain damage to cause dementia symptoms. This means that the longer someone lives, the more time dementia has to develop. Age is also a risk factor for dementia because an older person is more likely to be dealing with other changes and health issues that raise their risk, such as:
- High blood pressure
- Blood vessels in the brain that are damaged, twisted, or blocked
- A greater risk of having a stroke
- Cells in the brain that aren’t as active as those of younger people
- A weaker immune system
- A slower ability to recover from injuries.
What is the statistical prevalence of dementia among the elderly versus the younger people?
Around 2 out of every 100 persons between the ages of 65 and 69 have dementia. The risk then rises with age, almost doubling every five years. This indicates that around 33 out of every 100 adults over the age of 90 have dementia. Although elderly people are more likely to have dementia, younger people can also develop it. At least one in every twenty patients with dementia got the disease before the age of 65.
A person’s physical condition will deteriorate as they age.
Damage Accumulation
As we age, our bodies go through many changes, and our cells may accumulate damage over time. This can impair brain cell function and contribute to the development of dementia.
Increased Susceptibility to Diseases
Certain diseases and disorders that might contribute to dementia, such as Alzheimer’s and vascular disease, grow more common with age. The longer a person lives, the more likely it is that certain diseases may develop and grow.
Reduced Resilience
Aging can reduce the brain’s resilience and ability to cope with damage or injury. Individuals may become more prone to dementia when their brains become less capable of mending themselves or correcting for cognitive deterioration.
Environmental and Genetic Factors
Some environmental and genetic factors linked to dementia may have a cumulative effect over time. Certain genetic mutations or lifestyle variables, such as chronic diseases or poisons, may, for example, take years to appear as dementia symptoms.
It is crucial to emphasize that dementia does not affect everyone who reaches old age. While age is an important risk factor, it is not the only one. Other factors that influence the development and progression of dementia include heredity, lifestyle, and overall health.
Can lifestyle factors influence the development of dementia as we age?
There is an increasing amount of data that our lifestyle choices can influence our chance of developing dementia.
According to studies, the risk of dementia is lowest in persons in their forties and fifties (aged 40-65). Among these behaviors are:
- Regular mental, physical, and social activity
- Not smoking
- Drinking alcohol only in moderation
- Keeping a healthy diet.
People who engage in at least three of these actions have the lowest risk of dementia. Performing just one or two of these habits reduces risk only marginally.
The following list describes how certain lifestyle factors can raise a person’s risk of dementia.
Physical Inactivity
Physical inactivity can harm a person’s heart, lungs, and blood circulation, making it difficult to control their blood sugar. It is connected to an increased risk of heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes, all of which are risk factors for dementia.
Healthy Diet
A balanced and nutritious diet may help reduce the risk of dementia. Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean meats, and healthy fats are often included in these diets, whereas processed meals, sugary snacks, and excessive salt are typically avoided.
Mental Stimulation
Activities that involve mental effort and stimulation, such as reading, puzzles, learning new skills, or social interactions, can assist maintain cognitive function and potentially minimize the incidence of dementia.
Heart Health
Maintaining a healthy cardiovascular system is also vital for brain health. Diabetes, obesity, and high blood pressure have all been related to an increased risk of dementia. Managing these diseases with regular check-ups, medications when needed, and living a heart-healthy lifestyle can all help with brain health.
Social Engagement
Staying socially active and maintaining strong social relationships has been linked to a lower incidence of dementia. Regular engagement with friends and family, as well as participation in community activities, may aid in cognitive function maintenance.
Sleep and Stress Management
Prioritizing excellent sleep habits and properly managing stress are critical for brain health. Chronic sleep disruption and long-term stress have both been related to an increased risk of cognitive decline and dementia.
Though there is no certain strategy to prevent dementia, several lifestyle changes may lessen the risk or postpone the development of the disease.
Are the symptoms of young-onset dementia different from those in older adults?
Dementia is said to have a ‘young onset’ when symptoms appear before age 65, commonly between the ages of 30 and 65. It is referred to as ‘early onset’, ‘working age’ dementia, or ‘presenile dementia’. Younger people with dementia confront various issues that are typically distinct from those faced by older adults. Younger people are less likely to develop memory loss as an early symptom and may first experience issues with conduct, vision, or language.
Memory loss may not be one of the first symptoms of young-onset dementia. Symptoms vary from person to person depending on the type of dementia and which areas of the brain are affected. Because dementias affecting the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain are more common in younger people, early signs may include changes in:
- Personality
- Behavior
- Language
- Social functioning
- Relationships with others
- Activities of everyday living
- Motivation
- Mood (e.g., depression, anxiety)
- Concentration levels
- Decision-making and problem-solving
- Vision and spatial awareness
Younger people are more prone to develop behavioral changes, linguistic challenges, and coordination or movement issues. They are also likely to experience a variety of parts of their everyday lives that will be affected by dementia in different ways. This includes the following:
- Their relationships, including with their children (if they have them)
- Their finances
- Employment (if they’re working) and daily activities
- Driving (if they drive)
- Their hobbies and interests.
These factors can make it difficult for a young person to adjust to a diagnosis. Dementia can also be more difficult for younger people because it frequently occurs when they least anticipate it.
How can dementia be prevented or avoided as we grow old?
No! Dementia cannot be prevented at all. There is no definite strategy to avoid all types of dementia. However, there is strong evidence that leading a healthy lifestyle can help reduce your chance of acquiring dementia as you age.
Control High Blood Pressure
Treatment of high blood pressure with medication and improvements to your lifestyle may help minimize the risk of dementia.
Managing Blood Sugar
Making appropriate food choices, getting regular exercise, and monitoring glucose levels can all help with blood sugar management.
Maintain a Healthy Weight
Being physically active and eating healthy foods can help you maintain a healthy weight.
Eat a Healthy Diet
Aim for a healthy balance of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean meats and seafood, and minimize other fats and carbohydrates.
Keep Physically Active
Aim for 150 minutes (about 2 and a half hours) of moderate-intensity physical activity per week.
Stay Mentally Active
Reading, playing board games, crafting and socializing are all activities that might help keep your mind engaged.
Stay Connected with Family and Friends
Connecting with others and participating in social activities can help to reduce social isolation and loneliness.
Treat Hearing Problems
Hearing loss can impair cognition and increase the risk of dementia in older people, as well as make it difficult to connect with others.
Take Care of your Mental and Physical Health
This includes getting recommended health screenings, regular check-ups and treating chronic health conditions.
Sleep Well
Sleeping well is beneficial to both your mind and body. Each night, try to get seven to eight hours of sleep.
Prevent Head Injuries
Take precautions to avoid falls and head injuries, wearing shoes with nonskid soles that provide complete foot support.
Drink Less Alcohol
Too much alcohol consumption can cause falls and aggravate health issues such as diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke and memory loss.
Stop Tobacco Use
Stopping smoking at any age can improve your health and reduce your risk of heart attack, stroke, and lung disease.
Researchers cannot say whether the above lifestyle changes will guard against dementia, but they are all beneficial to your health and part of making healthy choices as you age.