Dementia

Psychological Changes

• Personality changes
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Inappropriate reactions/behaviours
• Paranoia
• Agitation
• Hallucinations

Risk Factors

Inherent Risk Factors

• Age: while risk increases as one ages (especially after 65). Dementia can occur in younger people.
• Family History
• Down Syndrome: many with Down syndrome may develop early-onset Alzheimer’s disease by mid-age.

Modifiable Risk Factors

• Diet and Exercise: a lack of exercise increases the risk and an unhealthy diet is associated with a greater incidence of dementia.
• Heavy Alcohol Use: larger amounts of alcohol is associated with a higher risk of dementia.
• Cardiovascular Risk Factors: including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, fat buildup in the artery walls, and obesity.
• Depression: late-life depression could be an indicator of dementia development.
• Diabetes: diabetes, particularly if poor-controlled, is associated with an increased risk of diabetes.
• Smoking: smoking is associated with an increased risk of dementia and blood vessel diseases.
• Sleep Apnea: reversible memory loss from snores and episodes of paused breathing during sleep.
• Vitamin and Nutritional Deficiencies: low levels of vitamin D, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, and folate are associated with an increased risk of dementia.