More than 38,000 Utahns are living with Alzheimer’s – another 38,000 have not been diagnosed. Approximately 7.4 million people in the U.S. are living with it and it’s the sixth-leading cause of death. 

Alzheimer’s kills more Americans every year than breast cancer and prostate cancer combined, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. June is Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month. Although there is no cure for the disease, researchers believe there are some healthy lifestyle habits that can reduce the chance of developing Alzheimer’s.

“Those are huge numbers,” said Jeremy Cunningham, Alzheimer’s Association Public Policy Director. “There are some ways to reduce the risk. If you are able to get eight hours of sleep a night you’ll cut the risk factor by almost half. Keeping your blood pressure down with the top number below 135, that’s another risk factor cut by half.”

 Staying engaged and eating a diet with more proteins and vegetables and not so many starches cuts the risk factor, he said. “We know that certain things like obesity, diabetes and arthritis play into an Alzheimer’s diagnosis.”

Exercising is a huge risk reduction for people, said Cunningham. “If it’s good for the heart it’s good for the brain.”

Staying socially active is also important, he said. “It’s key not to isolate when aging. You might say you don’t feel up to it but you have to force yourself to do things. Keep your brain active. Do things you used to do in your daily life.”

Caretakers should watch for signs that an older adult is starting to spiral, Cunningham said. “Things like they don’t take care of themselves or their health. That can exacerbate any underlying issues.”

Cunningham recommends having a yearly physical. “Have a conversation with your doctor,” he said. “Tell the doctor what you’re noticing, mood changes or different stresses.”

There’s a test the doctor can give called MoCA (Montreal Cognitive Assessment) to look for signs of dementia, he said. “It is a series of questions. It literally takes five minutes. It’s a really simple thing and if needed the doctor can refer you to a neurologist.” 

There are Alzheimer’s treatments that slow down the disease, said Cunningham. “For the first time Medicare and Medicaid are paying for treatments. Patients go in once a month for an IV treatment. It breaks down plaque on the brain that slows down the disease.”

Sleeping, eating healthy and staying active will lower your risk, he said. “Nourish your spirit. The things you are doing today are going to show up 20 years from now. What you do in your 50s will improve the outcome in your 70s and 80s.”