What Do We Know About Gender Differences In Dementia Prevalence And Care?
When you think about dementia risk factors, age might be the biggest one that comes to mind. Lifestyle, stress levels, and other factors can also play a role, but did you know that your gender may also affect your odds of developing dementia? Research shows that some types of dementia, like Alzheimer’s disease, may be more likely to affect women than men, while other types tend to affect men and women equally. People of all genders can take preventative measures against dementia, such as having active social lives, prioritizing nutrient-rich foods, exercising regularly, and caring for their mental health.
Understanding dementia
According to the World Health Organization, over 55 million people worldwide are living with dementia, with 10 million new cases emerging each year.
Although the terms are often used interchangeably, dementia is not the same thing as Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s disease is typically the most common form of dementia, caused by a buildup of plaque in the brain. However, there are other types of dementia besides Alzheimer’s, including the following:
- Vascular dementia, which can be caused by issues affecting the brain’s blood supply
- Lewy body dementia, which can be caused by abnormal protein deposits in the brain
- Mixed dementia, which can occur when someone has multiple types of dementia at once
Each of these conditions can cause gradual changes in thinking and daily functioning. People with dementia may experience the following symptoms:
- Memory loss
- Issues with judgment and problem-solving
- Personality changes
- Symptoms of depression or anxiety
- Social isolation
- Loss of interest in relationships and activities
Various medications may slow the progression of dementia and reduce its symptoms, but dementia tends to worsen over time. As a result, patients often need ongoing help as the illness progresses.
You may have heard that age is one of the biggest risk factors for developing dementia, but there are others, too. For example, people with a family history of dementia may be more likely to develop it.
Other dementia risk factors may include those listed below:
- Social isolation
- Hearing loss
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- Heart disease
- Excessive drinking
- Smoking
- Kidney disease
It may be worth noting that dementia is not considered a normal part of healthy aging. According to the CDC, many older adults go their whole lives without ever developing dementia.
A closer look at gender differences in dementia prevalence and care
Beyond the risk factors listed above, sex differences are another factor that may contribute to dementia risk. According to a 2016 report summarizing dementia research and data on gender, there is an almost twofold risk of Alzheimer’s disease in women compared to men. That said, even though women may have a higher risk of Alzheimer’s disease, both genders tend to have similar rates of other types of dementia.
Why are women more likely to develop Alzheimer’s? The answer may come down to several factors.
According to the Harvard Medical School, some researchers have proposed that the proteins that cause Alzheimer’s are due to an immune response in the brain.
If this is the case, then women’s brains might have higher levels of these proteins, since women tend to have a stronger immune response. That said, more research may be needed to confirm this theory.
Another possible explanation for this gender difference is that women tend to live longer than men. Because the risk of Alzheimer’s usually increases with age, a higher number of women may live long enough to develop it.
Caregiving for someone with dementia is often associated with increased stress and depression, which may, in turn, raise the risk of dementia and mild cognitive impairment.
Lowering dementia risk: Tips for both men and women
The data above illustrates why dementia prevention strategies may be helpful for everyone, regardless of gender. While no single strategy can completely eliminate risk, certain lifestyle changes may lower your chances of developing dementia. In fact, the CDC reports that up to 40% of dementia cases may be delayed or even prevented.
Below are some dementia prevention strategies to explore:
Having an active social life: Research has found that being socially active may lower the risk of dementia and other complications later in life. This might mean having frequent interactions with family and friends, but it could also mean being active in your community or living with others.
A 2023 study of 5,022 Medicare recipients suggests that even interacting over text or email could have benefits.
- Eating nutritious foods: Eating habits rich in nutrients may improve brain health and potentially help prevent dementia. Nutritious eating habits may also lower vascular dementia risk factors like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and high blood sugar.
- Staying physically active: In a 2021 study, researchers looked at the activity levels of over 60,000 older adults over the course of several years. The participants who exercised more usually had a lower risk of dementia than those who didn’t exercise. These benefits could be seen even in those who only exercised a little.
- Challenging your brain: Keeping your brain active may help you maintain your cognitive skills, especially as you age. In 2023, researchers looked at the hobbies of 10,000 Australian adults over the age of 70. They found that those who spent their free time doing mental activities like reading, taking classes, and doing puzzles were typically less likely to develop dementia.
Untreated depression may contribute to dementia risk, so looking after your mental health may be another preventative action against dementia. Whether or not you currently live with depression, therapy may be a useful mental health resource. Working with a therapist may help you manage life stressors, develop healthy coping skills, and proactively address other mental health concerns.
If you’re considering therapy for ongoing mental health support, it may help to have a therapist you trust. Finding the right therapist for you can sometimes take a few tries, which is why online therapy may be helpful. With BetterHelp, you can change therapists for any reason, at any time, for no extra cost. This may make it easier to find a therapist you want to work with long-term.
Studies show that online therapy can effectively reduce symptoms of depression. For example, a 2017 data analysis looked at 373 scientific studies of internet-based therapy. Researchers found that online therapy could be an effective treatment for depression, as well as other mental health concerns, including anxiety, PTSD, bipolar disorder, and more.
Takeaway
People of all genders can take steps to lower their odds of developing Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia. Some examples include living a healthy lifestyle, staying mentally active, socializing, and maintaining good mental health. One way to address your mental health may be to work with a licensed therapist in person or online.
- Previous Article
- Next Article