Association Urges Heightened Dementia-Prevention Awareness

The nation’s leading long term care insurance trade organization calls on health and consumer groups to heighten awareness of advances in understanding ways consumers can significantly reduce the risk of getting dementia.

“Another major study finds that some simple lifestyle changes can reduce the risk of cognitive decline by 60 percent,” explains Jesse Slome, executive director of the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance (AALTCI).   ”If there was a pill that had the same effect, everyone over age 50 would be taking a daily dose.”

According to the long-term care insurance organization, dementia, which can include Alzheimer’s disease, affects 15 percent of the over 70 U.S. population.  “The percentage affected increases as one ages,” Slome adds.  “This is not a nice disease, so when one hears of research that demonstrates simple ways to reduce risk, a call for heightened awareness is called for.”

Slome is referring to recent study reported in the Wall Street Journal.  Conducted at Cardiff University in the U.K., researchers followed 2,235 men for 30 years.  “The study started when these men were initially between ages 45 and 59 years old,” Slome notes.   The report found that men who consistently did a few things on a consistent basis reduced their risk for cognitive decline and dementia by 60 percent.

The activities included eating three or four servings of fruits and vegetables daily, maintaining a normal weight and a body-mass index of between 18 and 25, not smoking and limiting alcohol consumption.  Walking two miles a day or some similar activity proved to have the greatest impact on risk.

“Considering the millions of Americans who will be living into their 80s, 90s and beyond without a financial plan in place to deal with the costs of long-term care, it would be prudent for a massive educational effort,” Slome advocated.  “We’ll do our part to encourage more people to plan and to live healthy lifestyles.  I hope others join in the efforts.”