A family history of dementia may not be as bleak as previously thought, and those with a high genetic risk may reduce their risk by a third with a healthy lifestyle. A study of 196,000 people showed that the risk of dementia of dementia fell even by those genetically prone if they adopt a healthy lifestyle. The study in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that 1.8% of people classed as being of high risk developed dementia if they smoked, drank and ate unhealthily compared with just 1.1% who looked after themselves.
In the UK more than 850,00 people have a dementia diagnosis and this is expected to rise to over 1 million by 2025. One in 14 people aged over 65 years has dementia rising to one in six over the age of 80.
Independent Living Owner (Mark Booker) stated “we care for many people with dementia, and a large number of people with the illness can be cared for at home with support. With regard lifestyles we are seeing much more in the press about the importance of a healthy lifestyle. When I was growing up in the 70s/80s it was normal for people to smoke on a bus, the other day I saw an article saying less than 15% of the adult population now smokes – this shows we are now doing more to improve our health.”
