SAN ANTONIO — June is Alzheimer's and Brain Awareness Month. Because our bodies are living longer, more people are being diagnosed with Alzheimer's than ever before.
Experts say that's because the brain just can't hold on.
The CDC estimates 6 million Americans are living with the disease. But while there is no cure, physical activity and being in the company of others can reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer's.
"There's Alzheimer's that can occur in individuals that are 80-plus (years old). So when you live to be that age, you may very well be diagnosed that it at a later stage in your life," said Kim Elliot, chief nursing officer and senior vice president at Brookdale Senior Living.
A 2023 study by Johns Hopkins researchers found that older adults who are socially isolated have a 27% higher chance of developing dementia over the next nine years. The National Academy of Sciences found social isolation contributed to a 50% increased risk of developing dementia, a 59% increased risk of functional decline.
Exercise can slow further deterioration in those who have started to develop cognitive problems.
"And it doesn't have to be anything extreme," Elliott said. "You don't have a gym membership. Even walking every day makes a difference and can keep your mind sharp for longer."
The CDC says the the number of adults aged 65 or older is only expected to climb over the coming decades. With this increase in the senior population, there is also an increase in cases of Alzheimer's. But physical activity and social engagement can reduce risk of disease by 50 percent according to the Alzheimer's Research and Prevention Foundation.
"The lifestyle that you choose to live is going to impact your life later in life. So it's never too early to start," added Elliot.