Skip to Main Content
Fashionable senior woman kissing pet dog in nature||Portrait of beautiful elderly couple in market

Alzheimer’s Wave is Coming; What You Can Do Now

One in three. That’s how many seniors who live to age 85 will die with Alzheimer’s dementia, according to projections for the year 2050. Based on those numbers, Alzheimer’s is likely in your future -- either as a patient or a caregiver.

It’s also a significant increase for a disease which is already the 6th leading cause of death in America. The coming wave is being driven by a rising tide of baby boomers turning 65 or older -- 55 million in 2019, compared to 88 million in 2050.

Research On Alzheimer's Disease

The research community is already busy studying the causes and potential treatments of Alzheimer’s disease, which currently costs the U.S. $290 billion a year in care. Several research trials are in the pipeline, but none have shown great promise as of yet.

What researchers do know is that brain changes associated with Alzheimer’s can begin 20 years before diagnosis. These include an increase of certain proteins in the brain, while the brain simultaneously loses its ability to “clean” itself – something that normally happens as you sleep. In people with Alzheimer’s, these proteins continue to be deposited and brain cells eventually die.

Factors that Contribute to Alzheimer's Disease Development

Other factors thought to contribute to Alzheimer’s include:

  • Abnormal glucose metabolism in the brain
  • Increased inflammation in the brain
  • Blood vessels surrounding the brain becoming fragile

After diagnosis, people with Alzheimer’s typically live four to eight years -- but some can live as long as 20 years. There is currently no cure, but some symptoms can be treated with medications.

Can Alzheimer's Disease be Prevented?

The good news is you can act now to head off or slow the progression of Alzheimer’s dementia. The best treatment is something each person can control, and that’s your lifestyle.

Staying physically healthy is important. Maintaining strong social connections is also key, so make relationships a priority -- with family, friends and in your community. Keep challenging your mind with everything from the daily crossword puzzle to learning different skills and taking up new hobbies. You’ll benefit with each healthy step – now and in the future.

CHI Health Neurology Team
CHI Health Neurology Team

These blogs were written by the CHI Health Neurology Team.

Related Articles

Signs Your Headache Needs Medical Attention

JUN 15, 2023

Headaches can put a stop to your day. The pain can range from annoying to downright debilitating. Many people suffer ...

Read More

Can Epilepsy be Prevented? 5 Myths Debunked

MAY 10, 2023

Just because you don’t have epilepsy doesn’t mean you’ll never have epilepsy. Though new cases are most common in infancy, ...

Read More

Warning Signs of Dementia & What You Can Do Now

APR 06, 2023

Struggling to remember a word or name, forgetting why you walked into a room, getting lost in a once-familiar area. ...

Read More