In a new study, researchers found that nearly half of Americans in their 50s and early 60s think they’re likely to develop dementia as they grow older.
But only 5% of them have actually talked with a doctor about what they could do to reduce their risk.
Meanwhile, a third or more say they’re trying to stave off dementia by taking supplements or doing crossword puzzles—despite the lack of proof that such tactics work.
The new findings suggest a need for better counseling for middle-aged Americans about the steps they can take to keep their brains healthy as they age.
Meanwhile, pharmaceutical companies continue to work on potential dementia-preventing medications.
But an over-estimation of future dementia risk by individuals may lead to costly over-use of such products.
The research was conducted by a team from the University of Michigan.
The team analyzed data from a nationally representative poll of 1,019 adults between the ages of 50 and 64.
They found that nearly half of Americans in their 50s and early 60s think they’re likely to develop dementia as they grow older.
But only 5% of them have actually talked with a doctor about what they could do to reduce their risk.
Meanwhile, 32% of those polled said they were taking fish oil or omega-3 fatty acid supplements, and 39% said they took other supplements for brain health.
More than half said they were doing crossword puzzles or other brain games in hopes of keeping their minds “sharp.”
The team says that even among the oldest Americans, the risk of dementia is lower than one in three people over age 85.
Risk starts rising around age 65 and is higher among people of Latino or African-American heritage.
When people are in their 50s and early 60s, he says, they still have time to bring down their future dementia risk.
There is growing evidence that adults in mid-life can take steps to lower their risk of dementia, including increasing physical activity and controlling health conditions like hypertension and diabetes.
The researchers say that reducing the risk of developing dementia can be done in mid-life through things like increasing physical activity, smoking cessation, and managing chronic medical conditions such as diabetes or hypertension.
People in their 50s and 60s can take specific actions to improve their health now at a much lower cost to themselves and society, plus saving the dollars they’ve been spending on supplements and brain games.
One author of the study is Donovan Maust, M.D., M.S., a geriatric psychiatrist.
The study is published in JAMA Neurology.
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