Dementia Risk Doubles For Women After 65

When it comes to people struggling with dementia, women are more likely to serve as their caregivers. Sadly, the same women who care for others might need someone to care for them later since statistics show that dementia risk doubles for women after they turn 65 years old.

Dementia is a general term for various brain disorders that affect cognitive abilities. The most common type of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease, which affects more women than men.

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, of the 7.2 million Americans aged 65 or older with Alzheimer’s, 4.4 million are women. And that’s not all. The association also reports that women in their 60s are about twice as likely to develop Alzheimer’s during the remainder of their lives as they are to develop breast cancer.

It’s commonly believed that women are at a greater risk for Alzheimer’s and other dementias because women, on average, live longer than men and older age is the most significant risk factor for dementia.

Dementia is a progressive condition that causes symptoms to worsen over time. The brain disorder causes a decline in memory, language, problem-solving abilities, and other cognitive functions. It eventually becomes severe enough to interfere with an individual’s daily life. While Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia, other types include vascular dementia and Lewy body dementia. 

Researchers are investigating whether biological or genetic variations or differences in life contribute to the higher risk of women of all ages developing dementia. For instance, the Alzheimer’s Society in the United Kingdom (UK) notes that receiving a comprehensive education and lifelong mental stimulation can help delay the onset of dementia in later life—something known as “cognitive reserve.” However, women do not have as many opportunities as men to attend higher education institutions or work in highly skilled occupations, which has led some scientists to question whether this might be an essential risk factor for women.

Although women are significantly impacted by dementia, men are affected by dementia, too.

Alzheimer’s Research UK reports that 982,000 men and women are estimated to be living with dementia in the UK, and this figure is expected to increase to over 1.4 million by 2040.

Dementia affects more than 6 million Americans and accounts for more than 100,000 deaths each year, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) reports. The aging U.S. population is expected to cause the number of new dementia cases per year to double by 2060.

The Signs of Dementia

Mild forgetfulness, such as forgetting a name or misplacing items, is common among older adults. However, it’s the continued memory lapses that interfere with daily life that raise concerns.

In an article for Alzheimer’s Research UK, Dr. Tim Rittman, Neurology Consultant at the Addenbrooke’s Memory Clinic, wrote that people with dementia typically do not recognize the extent to which memory loss affects their lives. However, their loved ones can spot it.

“You may notice someone asking the same question in quick succession or struggling to remember the name of objects around the house,” Dr. Rittman wrote. “People may find they struggle to concentrate on daily tasks, or they may find following the storyline of a TV program difficult, for example.”

While memory is one of the most familiar signs of dementia, neurologist Dr. Baibing Chen—known on social media as Dr. Bing—explained in a TikTok video that there are five unexpected signs of dementia that people should be aware of:

1. Financial problems

People in the early stages of dementia can have difficulty managing their finances, Dr. Chen said in his video.

“This could look like missing payments, struggling with simple budgeting, or making financial decisions that just seem out of character, like giving away large amounts of money or falling for scams,” he said.

2. Sleep disorders

It is normal for older adults to sleep more lightly, go to bed, and wake up earlier than they did before. But older adults with dementia experience dramatic changes in their sleep habits, Dr. Chen said. For example, they may start their morning at 2:00 a.m. or struggle to stay awake during the day, he added.

Dr. Chen said another change to notice is when people, specifically those with Lewy body dementia and Parkinson’s disease, act out their vivid dreams. This condition is called REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep behavior disorder, and it’s not just normal sleepwalking or sleep talking, Dr. Chen said. They may also scream, yell, or hit their bed partners while they are sleeping.

3. Personality changes

People in the early stages of dementia may experience mood and behavioral changes. For example, Dr. Chen said, “Someone who was once calm might become easily agitated or even aggressive.”

The Alzheimer’s Association also reported mood and behavioral changes that occur in the early stages of dementia, such as:

• Withdrawing from work or social activities
• Feeling confused, suspicious, depressed, fearful, or anxious
• Decreased or poor judgment with things such as spending money, hygiene, and cleanliness

4. Getting lost while driving

People in the early stages of dementia may find themselves getting lost on familiar roads, running red lights, or missing exits on the highway.

“We all have lapses in attention and miss an exit once in a while…but if these driving problems become a consistent pattern, it’s time to take it seriously,” Dr. Chen said.

5. Loss of smell

“This might surprise you, but losing the ability to smell could be one of the first signs of dementia,” Dr. Chen said. “Many people that eventually go on to develop dementia begin to lose their sense of smell years or even decades before other symptoms appear.”

The Alzheimer’s Association mentioned other signs and symptoms of dementia, including:

• Forgetting important dates or events
• Asking the same questions over and over
• Increasingly needing to rely on memory aids, such as reminder notes or electronic devices, or family members for things they used to handle on their own.

There are several other signs to watch out for, as listed on the Alzheimer’s Association’s website.

What to Do if You Think a Loved One Has Dementia?

Before starting a conversation with someone you’re concerned about, the Alzheimer’s Society suggests you ask yourself such questions as:

• What could be stopping them from seeing their primary care physician about their memory problems?

• Do they think their problems are just a natural part of aging?

• Do they think there will not be any point in seeking help?

• Are you the best person to talk to them about memory problems?

• Would they find it reassuring if you offered to accompany them to their primary care physician?

The National Health Service in the UK says that if dementia is found early,
“its progress can be slowed down in some cases, so the person may be able to maintain their mental function for longer.”

Source Links:

https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/signs-of-dementia-in-women_uk_67b45837e4b063a7b19aa2b7
https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/blog/why-dementia-different-women
https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/what-is-alzheimers/women-and-alzheimer-s#womenatrisk
https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/tv-watching-dementia-sign_uk_67bc3b34e4b029e3b893ed2d
https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/unexpected-signs-of-dementia-money_uk_67b635e5e4b050f805a0be71