This news story is also available in Spanish.
Dr. Malaika Stoll, senior medical director at Blue Shield of California, has a new after-hours job. This year, she started helping her mother and father, both in their 80s, with their day-to-day lives as both have advanced dementia. She’s among the more than 11 million family members in the United States who care for people with Alzheimer's disease or other types of dementia.
“It’s unbelievably difficult to watch loved ones suffer with dementia, and to try to help — often not knowing how to actually help,” said Dr. Stoll.
Dementia involves mental decline, including memory loss, confusion, personality and mood changes, among other symptoms. It is caused by damage to brain cells, often from Alzheimer’s disease, but from other causes as well. Today, dementia affects 5% of people over age 65, and over 30% of people over age 85. There are also racial disparities, with higher rates of dementia for Black and Latino Americans.
As a mother of three, Dr. Stoll also thinks about whether her children will need to be caregivers for her someday. “With both my parents having dementia, genetics might not be in my favor. But we now know — as with heart disease — that the risk of getting dementia is greatly reduced through healthy behaviors. We can’t change our genes, but we can do a lot to keep our bodies and brains healthy.”
1. Maintain a healthy body, healthy brain
Most of us are aware that regular physical activity, a nutritious diet, and avoidance of smoking and excessive drinking will help keep our hearts and the rest of our bodies healthy. More recent studies show that these healthy behaviors also support brain health and significantly reduce the risk of dementia. Visit the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website for more on dementia prevention.
Caring for ourselves as whole beings also helps our brains as we get older. Staying socially active and continuing to do the things we love, even if they are modified, is important. For example, if you love to garden — keep gardening! Even if it means getting some help for the heavier tasks. If you enjoy travel, it may mean exploring areas closer to home if you’re finding long drives or flights challenging. Another part of self-care is reducing stress. Meditation has been shown to have beneficial effects on our mental health, and managing depression and anxiety are also important to brain health.
2. Find a doctor to help
Dementia worsens over time, and the earlier it is identified, the sooner certain risk factors can be addressed. For example, medications that control blood pressure and diabetes may slow dementia progression. Doctors can order labs to test for treatable causes of memory loss such as thyroid disorder. They can also perform tests to assess memory and other brain functions, refer to dementia specialists, and connect patients and families with community support.
“Having a care team help you or your loved one understand their diagnosis and the importance of accepting help can ease some of the challenges that will eventually arise as the disease progresses,” said Dr. Stoll.
“It’s scary to get a dementia diagnosis — for the patient and for their family. But knowing more allows us to deal with the challenges and better prepare for the future.”
3. Plan ahead
It's important to document our wishes should we be unable to make decisions alone. Make sure your loved ones have advance directives in place before dementia progresses.
Financial planning can also be important, as caring for people with dementia can be costly. Work with a case manager to explore options, including in-home support services, respite care, adult daycare and long-term care facilities.
4. Take care of the caregiver
Caregiving for someone with dementia can be incredibly demanding and challenging. Nearly 70% of dementia caregivers find it stressful and worry about their own health. With so many people impacted by this condition, there are communities and educational resources available for caregivers. A good place to start is the Alzheimer's Association.
“People affected by dementia, including caregivers, often feel lonely and scared, but we are not alone,” said Dr. Stoll.
Resources
- For more on the signs and symptoms of dementia and ways to reduce your risk, visit the Blue Shield of California dementia page.
- For tools and resources available to those impacted by dementia, visit the CDC’s dementia resource page.
- For dietary guidance, heart-healthy diets are also brain-healthy. One option is the MIND diet, but talk to your doctor about their recommendation.