My 86 year old mother was diagnosed with (not specific type) dementia last year. My paternal grandmother had dementia. My maternal grandfather did not have dementia. My father, paternal grandfather, and maternal grandmother died before age 63 without exhibiting dementia symptoms. My primary doctor confirmed that dementia is usually genetic, passed down through the family. My question is what are my chances of have this disease and what can I do now to prolong onset or minimalized effects as much as possible if I do have dementia in the future? I am a 64 year old female and still working as a high school biology teacher. I will retire in two years.
My parents were both healthy, fit, excersized, kept active and once they got into early 80s started getting signs of dementia. I know others who ate terrible diets, were overweight, no excersize, smoked...and are in mid 80s sharp as a tack....wish i knew the secret..
I think i would rather go early with a quick heart attack then live forever with dementia.
But here is something to think about: If you live past the age of 80, your chances of displaying dementia are somewhere around 50% (depending on the study you read). So if longevity runs in your family, you are more likely to live long enough to exhibit dementia than if you die in your early 70s (for example).
Science does not know the exact causes of each type of dementia. Oh, yes, we know that clumps of alpha-synuclein protein cause the symptoms of Lewy Body Dementia, but we do not yet know what causes the clumps of alpha-synuclein protein to form. It is not believed at this time to be an inherited trait.
Since we don't know what causes the dementia, how can we know how to prevent it? The best bet so far is maintain good health overall and to seek new experiences -- to keep growing new brain pathways to help minimize the consequences of having some of them damaged. According to some experts (who are guessing at this point) doing the same kind of puzzles over and over is not as helpful as doing some puzzles and learning to play an instrument and learning a card game, and traveling to a different culture, etc. etc. -- it is the NEW in "new experiences" that helps build brain pathways.
My husband is the only one in his family who developed dementia. On the other hand, he was the only one of 6 children who lived to the age when dementia usually starts. All of his sibs died of heart disease between the ages of 36 and 66. His father died of heart disease at age 45. The whole lot of them might have developed dementia if they'd lived longer.
There is much, much, we don't understand yet about dementia. Bocadebo, we know for certain that you are going to die of something. If you live long enough, there is a chance you may exhibit dementia. This is true, as far as we know now, regardless of your family history.
Certainly do all you can to live a long, healthy life but if you are going to get dementia, you are going to get it. My Mom didn't show signs of dementia till her late eighties. Signs that we could recognize at least. So, does that mean I will be like her? Who knows. I'll let you all know when I get there,if I remember.
In the future, we may well all be gene-mapped at birth and have life plans drawn up for us, and they may even work; and fingers crossed the promising antibody therapies they're currently working on may arrive in time for us, who knows? But meanwhile keep healthy anyway: you'll enjoy life more as well as for longer.
The answer to how to prevent or cure dementia eludes the most knowledgable doctors and scientists. We don't know any more than we did years ago. The new dementia meds don't seem to work. The brain is the final frontier to be conquered.
So, in the mean time, I'm not (necessarily) going to do all those healthy things. Why? Because medical science can't pin down an answer and stick with it. First, wine is bad for you, then it's good for you! Same with coffee, meat and aged cheese. If it's popular this year, just wait. The studies will come out totally different next year. I'm going to do what makes me happy. There's damn little in life that I can control (having to work, pay bills, c/g for 93 yr. old mom in memory care facility, declining health, etc.), so I'm going to make the areas that I can control a pleasure center. Contrary to popular advise, on my days off, I'll sleep past the regular time I usually get up (sometimes by 3 hours!). I may have that 2nd glass of wine, if I desire, and eat 2 pieces of chocolate with it! I may stay under the warm running shower 5 minutes longer after I've washed everything just to enjoy the feeling. I'm trying real hard to not have anything get under my skin. I try not to "sweat the small stuff". I actually went to the grocery store without makeup. (Gasp!, but I kept my sunglasses on in the store).
Like Bobby McFerrin sang, "Don't worry, be happy". Maybe worry and lack of fun causes dementia. If that's the case, we all need to revamp our lives.
Without animal foods or added oils (including olive oil), you cut down on fats in your system, which keeps your veins and arteries from clogging up with fatty plaques. While it's not a guarantee, I personally believe it's the best way to keep yourself healthy and happy.
If you're on Facebook, join the group McDougall Friends and get a TON of support and information (and pictures) about recipes to eat this way. People on whole foods plant-base no oil diets reverse Type 2 diabetes, lose weight, get cholesterols down to very healthy levels, reduce arthritis pain, and on and on. It's a lifestyle intervention that involves no medications or money. Just healthy food.
Also, elders with compromised decision-making abilities leave behind an estate that is not tidy. And I'm not just talking about a hoarded primary home!
Plenty of surprises during caregiving and in the aftermath. Unfortunately, no pleasant surprises. Not a one.
I'm a big girl and I know "we all have to make our own joy." But the challenges and hoplessness knocked the wind out of my sails to a degree I did not anticipate. Another unpleasant surprise.
That's why it is best to have your affairs in order and downsize, so less worry for loved ones.
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