Search the term “preventing dementia” online, and a list of possible precautions pop up. One story describes a new study that finds older Americans who used the Internet — but not too much — have a lower risk of dementia. Other stories suggest that taking vitamin D, getting a good night’s sleep or learning a second language are key to combating dementia.
Scientists don’t fully understand what causes dementia, a degenerative neurological condition that impacts memory, speech and basic functioning. But they do know that as many as 40 percent of cases could be slowed or prevented by making certain lifestyle changes.
Dementia Risk Factors
In 2020, The Lancet Commission on Dementia identified 12 risk factors. Although some of these factors, like air pollution, are out of a person’s control, there are many lifestyle changes a person can make to reduce their risk. Problematically, studies find that most people aren’t aware of the risk factors and what they can do to protect themselves.
As more people live longer, the threat of developing this condition increases. By 2050, an estimated 135 million people will be living with dementia. The bulk of these diagnoses, about 71 percent, will come from lower and middle-income countries where education and healthcare are more limited.
