HJNO Sep/Oct 2023

50 SEP / OCT 2023 I  HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF NEW ORLEANS COLUMN  SENIOR HEALTH WORLD ALZHEIMER’S MONTH is cel- ebrated every year by Alzheimer’s Dis- ease International (ADI) in September to bring awareness and knowledge, as well as funding, for Alzheimer’s disease across the globe. This year’s campaign theme is “Never too early, never too late,” which aims to bring to light the key risk factors of Alzheimer’s as well as things the public can do to reduce their risk of being diagnosed with the debilitating disease. According to the organization’s World Alzheimer Report of 2019, many people still believe that dementia is a part of nor- mal aging, which is simply not the case. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, our brains change as we age, and it is nor- mal to eventually notice slowed thinking or occasional forgetfulness. However, Al- zheimer’s affects the brain more deeply. As to support people with dementia and their families, they have published a list of com- mon risk factors for dementia, with the most common risk factor being increasing age. While increasing age and genetic fac- tors are not modifiable risk factors, there are a few things that the ADI recommends to reduce the risk of developing dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. One of the most important things people can do to reduce their risk is to stay active. ADI says that “regular physical activity is one of the best ways to reduce your risk of dementia. It’s good for your heart, circulation, weight and mental wellbeing.” In addition, smok- ing and excessive drinking can greatly in- crease your risk of developing dementia, as well as many other conditions, so they recommend cutting back on drinking as well as quitting smoking. it advances, Alzheimer’s leads to increas- ingly severe symptoms, including disori- entation, mood, and behavior changes; deepening confusion about events, time, and place; unfounded suspicions about family, friends, and professional caregiv- ers; more serious memory loss and behav- ior changes; and difficulty speaking, swal- lowing, and walking. The Alzheimer’s Association says that Alzheimer’s is the most common type of dementia, accounting for 60-80% of all dementia cases. The number of people liv- ing with dementia is set to almost triple by 2050, soADI says it is more important than ever to recognize the risk factors associ- ated with dementia and spread the word so people can be proactive and take steps to reduce their risk. In keeping withADI’s worldwidemission “NEVERTOO EARLY, NEVERTOO LATE” Recognizing World Alzheimer’s Month and Recent Drug Advancements