Risk Factors
Residents in senior living facilities are at a particular risk of Alzheimer’s since increasing age is the greatest known risk factor. Most of the five-plus million Americans with Alzheimer’s dementia are 65 and older, according to the National Institute on Aging, even though the damage in the brain begins years before the first symptoms appear.
Other possible risk factors include:
- Family History: Those with a parent or sibling with Alzheimer’s are at a somewhat higher risk of developing the disease.
- Gender: There are more women with Alzheimer’s than men; however, it is unknown whether the higher rate may be due to the fact that women live longer than men.
- Genetics: There are two genes involved in Alzheimer’s, yet less than one percent of cases are estimated to be caused by deterministic genes.
- Head Injury: A link exists between head injury and future risk of dementia.
- Heart and Vascular Issue: The risk of developing Alzheimer’s appears to be increased by conditions that damage the heart of blood vessels.
- Down Syndrome: According to the National Down Syndrome Society, estimates show that Alzheimer’s disease affects about 30% of people with Down syndrome in their 50s; by their 60s, that number comes closer to 50%.
Did You Know?
Alzheimer’s may cause changes in moods and behaviors. According to the Mayo Clinic, problems may include:
- Depression
- Apathy
- Social withdrawal
- Mood swings
- Distrust in others
- Irritability and aggressiveness
- Changes in sleeping habits
- Wandering
- Loss of inhibitions
- Delusions, such as believing something has been stolen