DAVIS COUNTY—There are 6.9 million Americans over the age of 65 and older who are living with Alzheimer's disease or another form of dementia. That number is projected to increase to nearly 14 million by 2060, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. June is Alzheimer's & Brain Awareness Month and the association wants people to become educated on these topics in the hope that they will take charge of their brain health. 

The Davis County Health Department (DCHD) was recently selected for the Healthy Brain Initiative (HBI) Road Map Strategists.This initiative will allow the DCHD to enhance its capacity to address brain health and dementia for the residents of Davis County

“About half are never diagnosed,” said Jim Herlihy, Senior Director of Marketing & Communications, Alzheimer's Association Rocky Mountain Region. “Be aware of symptoms in your loved ones. If you see changes or memory loss go see the doctor and get a physical and have it checked out.”

Other conditions can mimic Alzheimer’s, he said. “It’s hard to plan without a diagnosis. Depression, dietary issues, urinary problems, chronic stress, etc. can have similar symptoms.”

As of now, there is no cure for the disease, said Herlihy. “There are medications that can affect the course of the disease. You can’t cure it but you can slow it.”

There are other conditions that could be treatable, he said. “That’s why a diagnosis is essential.”

According to the Association, Alzheimer's is the seventh leading cause of death. The changes in the brain begin 15 to 20 years before current science can diagnose it. That’s why people should start early to reduce the risk. 

“Roughly 40% of dementia cases are modifiable by reducing risk in our daily lives,” said Herlihy. “Digestive health, sleep apnea, high blood pressure, eating white bread, chips, lack of exercise, etc. all contribute to higher risk.”

Studies show that people who are receiving treatment for sleep apnea and those with hearing loss have hearing aids lowers the percentage of progression, he said. “It’s not an insurance policy but there’s the likelihood that it reduces the risk.”

The Alzheimer’s Association lists these statistics about the risk of developing Alzheimer’s:

• More than 7 million Americans are among the 55 million people worldwide living with

Alzheimer’s disease, including more than 38,000 Utahns.

• Women account for roughly two-thirds of all cases.
• Black Americans are twice as likely as whites to develop Alzheimer’s, while Hispanic and Native Americans are 50% more likely.
• One person in 9 (10.9%) over age 65 is living with Alzheimer’s. At age 85, 33.4% of all people are living with the disease.
• The lifetime risk for Alzheimer’s at age 45 is 1 in 5 for women and 1 in 10 for men.

“If you do what you can, it can improve the odds of success until there’s a cure,” said Herlihy. “We’re our own best health advocate.”

For more information about the Alzheimer’s Association visit alz.org. 

There are dementia caregiver support groups that meet in Davis County, go to communityresourcefinder.org to register and find out locations. 

A Dementia Community Forum luncheon will be held at the North Davis Senior Activity Center, 42 State Street in Clearfield on June 19 at 11:30 a.m. For more details, email [email protected] or call 385-831-7126. This is an opportunity for seniors to share their voice about dementia in the Davis county area.