| Dementia is a subject that most people try to | | | | generation on the verge of retirement, we are |
| avoid. Just the thought of memory loss - in a | | | | now looking at a shift to an even older |
| loved one, friend, co-worker or, worse yet, | | | | society. There are about 77 million in the |
| ourselves -- makes us terribly uncomfortable. | | | | baby boomer generation. By the year 2030, |
| Unless we are confronted directly with | | | | these men and women will make up |
| dementia, we prefer to think of it as | | | | approximately 20% of the total U.S. |
| "someone else's problem." But dementia - one | | | | population. As a result, health experts |
| of the world's fastest growing diseases -- | | | | currently estimate that at least 10 million |
| won't go away and it is fast becoming | | | | Baby Boomers will develop Alzheimer's. The |
| "everyone's problem." A look at the facts and | | | | news for older Baby Boomer females is even |
| statistics surrounding dementia clearly show | | | | bleaker as about one-in-six females over the |
| that it is a massive issue, possibly a | | | | age of 55 could develop Alzheimer's. Why do |
| medical catastrophe in the making, with no | | | | more women than men get Alzheimer's? It's not |
| easy solution. Indeed, the numbers and | | | | anything genetic. It is simply that women |
| statistics surrounding dementia are | | | | traditionally live longer (by about five |
| staggering. Worldwide, there are now an | | | | years in the U.S), so it becomes basically a |
| estimated 24 million people living with some | | | | numbers game. The statistics surrounding |
| form of dementia. Without a major medical | | | | dementia are sobering. If you do not |
| breakthrough in the fight against dementia, | | | | currently know someone with memory loss -- a |
| this number could jump to as many as 84 | | | | family member, friend, neighbor or co-worker |
| million who have age-related memory loss by | | | | -- then you most certainly will know someone |
| the year 2040. Although there are a number of | | | | in the near future. There are two risk |
| forms of dementia, Alzheimer's is the most | | | | factors for dementia, genetics and aging, and |
| common, and most well-known, of the | | | | neither of these factors can be controlled. |
| age-related memory loss diseases. Currently, | | | | While time and money is being funneled into |
| more than five million Americans suffer from | | | | Alzheimer's and dementia research, there is |
| Alzheimer's, and it is the seventh leading | | | | no "magic bullet" solution. Currently, there |
| cause of death in the U.S. About 13% of | | | | are several "disease-modifying therapies" in |
| Americans over the age of 65 have Alzheimer's | | | | development that may offer temporary slowing |
| and half of those over age 85 will develop | | | | of disease progression or even restore |
| Alzheimer's -- or a closely related dementia. | | | | cognitive function. However, it may take |
| Health analysts estimate that in just five | | | | years before these therapies are available to |
| years the number of Americans with | | | | the general public. The best approach is to |
| Alzheimer's will jump to 7.7 million and by | | | | adopt a proactive brain health lifestyle |
| 2050 the number is projected to more than | | | | today. And, if a loved one or you is |
| double to 16 million. So why is this disease | | | | experiencing any signs of cognitive loss then |
| growing so rapidly? Simply put, our | | | | you should visit your health care |
| population is "graying" and our citizens are | | | | professional immediately. For more |
| living much longer than any previous | | | | information about brain health and dementia, |
| generation. In fact, the fastest growing | | | | visit us online at or contact the Brain |
| segment of our population is the over 80 age | | | | Longevity Center at 805-497-7274. The Brain |
| group, and the odds of becoming demented for | | | | Longevity Center is a medical facility that |
| the very elderly are much higher. Another | | | | offers proactive programs for those with |
| aspect to our changing population is how | | | | mild-to-moderate dementia and those seeking |
| quickly this change has taken place. A person | | | | to maintain a healthy brain as they age. |
| born in 1900 could reasonably hope to reach | | | | ***Health and dementia statistics are from |
| about the age of 50 - the average life | | | | the Alzheimer's Association, the National |
| expectancy was just 47 years. However, over | | | | Center for Health Statistics and the Center |
| the course of the last century a number of | | | | for Disease Control. |
| factors, such as medical advances, widespread | | | | |
| access to health care, improved sanitation | | | | Dr. Label is the founder and director of the |
| and better nutrition have had a tremendous | | | | Brain Longevity Center in Thousand Oaks, CA. |
| impact on how long we live. Consequently, the | | | | A board-certified neurologist, Dr. Label is |
| average life expectancy for both men and | | | | trained in traditional Western and Eastern |
| women in the U.S. today is 77 years of age. | | | | medicines and he incorporates complementary |
| That's an incredible increase of 30 years in | | | | techniques into his practice. |
| just one century. And, with the Baby Boomer | | | | |