The rate of Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia among seniors has declined significantly over the last ten years, according to a new study.
The Einstein Aging Study followed 1400 men and women age 70 and older from 1993 through 2015. When they entered the study they did not have dementia. Carol Derby, research professor at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York City, analyzed the data. The report was published in JAMA Neurology.
Of 369 people born before 1920, 73 ended up with dementia. Of 285 born 1920-24, 43 developed dementia. Of 344 born 1925-29, 31 developed dementia. Of 350 born after 1929, only 3 got dementia. Similar declining rates have been found in Europe.
Researchers say the reasons for the decline in dementia cases are not known, but there is also a declining rate of stroke and heart attack from one generation to another (though diabetes is increasing).
Efforts to prevent cardiovascular disease in recent decades may be paying off; the incidence of stroke has declined. Since dementia risk is correlated with the health of blood vessels in the brain, it makes sense that the rate of dementia is falling alongside the rate of strokes. A recent study found that healthy lifestyles, including exercise, good diet, no smoking, and proper treatment of chronic medical conditions could prevent 35% of dementia cases.
Although the rate of dementia is going down, the actual number of people with dementia is increasing dramatically as the baby boomer generation ages, inflating the percentage of elderly people in the U.S. population.
Around the world, more than 47 million people suffer from dementia, and 7 million new cases develop each year. The number of cases of dementia is projected to double every 20 years. The number of people with Alzheimer’s disease is expected to reach 106 million by 2050.
Dementia is one of the most expensive health conditions, costing patients and families in medical fees and caregiving time. Long term care insurance can help pay for the costs. You must insure before the diagnosis! For more information see the Guide To Long Term Care – Alzheimer’s.
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