Dr. Bill’s Alzheimer’s Reality Check

For all the times “Alzheimer’s” appears in the news media these days, you’d think we were in the midst of an epidemic. To get a little perspective on the issue, we turned to our expert, psychology professor, William Holt, Ph.D., whose special areas of study includes adulthood and aging.

First of all, Dr. Bill, as we like to call him, points out that there are various forms of dementia, Alzheimer’s being one of them. The good news, he says: “Dementia, or the older term, senility, whether Alzheimer’s or one of the various forms, is not the fate of the vast majority of us.”

In the 65 and older age group, fewer than 7 out of 100 have Alzheimer's disease. Most of the other dementias are either rare—fewer than 1 in 1,000!—or are part of a particular disease such as Parkinson's. Yet there's considerable anxiety among baby boomers approaching 65 that they’re developing Alzheimer's. "Anticipatory Alzheimer's" is the term given to those in their late 50s and early 60s who are convinced that their memories are failing, and that being confined to a nursing home will be their fate.

"We all have what we might call 'senior moments,' " says Dr. Bill, "but just because we can't remember a particular word, who starred in a favorite movie from years ago, or what we were supposed to buy at the hardware store doesn’t mean Alzheimer's is the inevitable result. There are lots of changes in memory function over time which are perfectly normal and do not signal the onset of a debilitating disease such as Alzheimer's."

Sigh of relief, there, huh? In addition, there are things we can do to help keep our minds vigorous and healthy throughout our old age.

Here's Dr. Bill's Prescription for Maintaining Mental Sharpness:

GOOD news! A number of studies show there's a link between what people do and being able to avoid Alzheimer's. These do not provide causal proof, but taken together can provide us with hope and ways that might minimize our risk of developing Alzheimer's. I would put most of these measures under the umbrella of "use it or lose it."

One study concluded that loneliness was a predictive factor in the development of Alzheimer's disease; another found those seniors who played bridge or completed cross-word puzzles had a lesser incidence of Alzheimer's. Add to that studies showing the lesser rate of dementia in those who read, played musical instruments, and even engaged in ballroom dancing! In fact whole Web sites are devoted to getting all of us, regardless of age, to play cognitive games in order to flex our brain muscles.

In other words, we must continue to think, or we’ll lose the ability to think! Which may be the reason grumpy old men (and women) have less Alzheimer's. They work really hard to argue, question, confront, and challenge everyone and everything—their brains never stop working!

I'm not suggesting that we become crabby old people, but I am suggesting that we add mental exercises to our daily routine just as we've been encouraged to exercise physically.

One interesting development along these lines is the “seniors on college campus” trend. Instead of sectioning themselves off in exclusively senior communities in the sunshine states, more and more seniors are opting to live in college-linked retirement communities. Being around physically and mentally active people, of all ages, and having access to lifelong learning and activities—college classes, lectures, and debates, concerts, sports, and more—help keep a mind active and healthy.

So, what are you waiting for? Sign up for those ballroom dancing or piano lessons, learn that foreign language you’ve been talking about, play some of the new games specifically designed to exercise the brain (Nintendo’s Brain Age is one of many in a growing market). You’ll enrich your life and build a stronger brain in the process.

Resources:

PBS has a terrific new 90-minute special, "The Brain Fitness Program."

Computer programs such as MindFit are designed specifically for adults looking to keep their minds agile.

For more about seniors on campus, read “Colleges Offer Retirees Place To Live and Learn,” The Seattle Times and “List of Retirement Communities Affiliated With College Campuses,” AARP.

Meet 100-year-old Harry Shapiro (4-minute video), poster boy for what keeping one's mind active can do! Amazing.