Anxious about getting dementia when I’m older

[Stumpedasatree]

Does anyone else feel like this? I am currently fit and healthy, nearing 50, but feel a massive dread of developing dementia when I’m older. I don't know how to minimise my risk either, apart from trying to keep healthy and active.

Why hearing?

I’m terrified too. I really hope euthanasia will be legal soon and we will be able to sign a living will to avoid drawn out suffering for relatives.

Dementia: Photos lay bare agony of slowly losing mum www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-67762173

There's a big difference between the dementia's. Vascular dementia is generally caused by cardiovascular issues like a stroke or abnormal heart rhythm such as long term undiagnosed atrial fibrillation. Some scientists think that Alzheimer's is connected to poor diet, ultra processed foods and carbohydrate intolerance. The one sure thing is lack of investment and dementia friendly society promised by governments. Poor care is what terrifies me such as elder abuse.

This does really worry me. My maternal grandmother had Alzheimer's but she was in her very late 70's when that happened. My Dad is 84, he has it, his sister had it too. However, both their consultants insist that it's just been bad luck rather than being connected. Neither of their parents had it.

I'm 55 this year and I have a 12 year old (autistic and I'm a lone parent). I do really worry but equally, I try to keep stress to a minimum, daily exercise, strength training too. I read a lot. When I get brain fog I think "shit" but every other person in my age group has the same and I think currently more likely menopause related. I'm going to try and improve my gut health and I know that my diet could do with some improvement too. Ultimately, you can't stop it if it's going to happen but you can minimise risk. Such a bloody cruel affliction.

yes it really scares and .bothers me, as a handful of extended family have had or .have a form of dementia . I think it is totally normal to be anxious about it.

I should add that my Dad is still doing OK. He's sociable, but repetitive. My stepmum keeps him active and busy, lots of theatre and cinema, social occasions, museums etc. I have wondered if he had been affected by long term extreme stress. He had a high powered job for many years, worked ridiculously long hours and was never able to switch off. He was also prone to severe panic attacks that replicated heart attacks. He was always stressed. I can remember still from childhood. He also drank a lot. These days he still likes a couple of glasses of red wine a day but at almost 85, I think that's fine. His long term memory is fascinating as it's so good. I hate that this has happened to him but he has an amazing support network and is content currently.

Thank you for this! Just done the test and my risk is 50%. Mainly because I’m lazy with things.

Loss of hearing results in social isolation, missing out in conversation,losing confidence in interaction.

Take any actions you can now to plan for/mitigate (e.g. power of attorney, advance directives, talk to relatives about what you would want) and then....forget about it

In my view @NealBrose this is by far the best, most sensible advice on the thread.

My FiL developed vascular dementia in his late 70s. He’d never been remotely overweight, never smoked, hardly drank, and was still cycling and playing tennis until then.

IMO it’s largely a lottery, and a very unfair one.

Take a look at an article published by the Lancet (2020) and the 12 risk factors for dementia. Most dementias aren't hereditary some rarer forms can be.

Yes of course, that makes sense. Thanks

👍

Dementia is often very distressing for the sufferer! To suppose otherwise is a popular misconception. Do you have much actual experience of it? My DM was often anxious or frightened of things she couldn’t even name.

And just one more example, the poor lady (80s) in DM’s care home who was so often crying and very distressed because her mother wouldn’t know where she was. Or because she needed to get home ‘for the baby’. Staff were very kind and did their best, but nothing really helped.

OP, I feel exactly the same in dreading it. One thing I’ve done, though, is to add a paragraph to my health and welfare power of attorney, to request very firmly in the case of dementia, or certain other conditions, absolutely no life saving or life prolonging treatment.

IMO too many people with dementia are kept going when Nature is trying to let them go. Endless meds, drips, in and out of hospital - in any case a terrible place for anyone with dementia, when they can’t understand what is going on, or why.

Great job resurrecting a zombie to spam it. 🙄