It can be jarring for the entire family when an older loved one is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. Many questions come to mind about what the future looks like, how the family’s life will change, and how much care your relative will need.
However, many children and grandchildren of people who have been diagnosed with dementia also wonder if the disease is hereditary and if they, too, will contract this life-altering condition later in life.
The answer isn’t a cut-and-dry yes or no. Most of the factors that increase your chances of developing dementia are more associated with lifestyle and environment, but there are rare instances in which genetics also plays a role.
Can dementia be passed on to children?
According to research posted on the Alzheimer’s Society website, Alzheimer’s disease diagnoses in which genetics plays a role only account for two to five percent of all cases. In other words, Alzheimer’s presents itself more sporadically than predictably due to genetics.
Furthermore, of the 70 genes that can increase the risk of Alzheimer’s disease, only three are known to cause it directly: PSEN1, PSEN2, and APP. These genes are generally associated with early-onset Alzheimer’s, which typically strikes people before the age of 65. The children of people with these altered genes have a 50 percent chance of developing Alzheimer’s disease.
However, the remaining genes that cause Alzheimer’s will increase the risk of familial inheritance of the disease, but there is no guarantee that children will develop it.
Other dementia types can also be inherited (learn the difference between Alzheimer’s disease and dementia here). For example, the traits that can cause vascular dementia and frontotemporal dementia are possible to pass down to children, increasing their chances of receiving a positive diagnosis.
How can I reduce the risk of dementia?
According to the 2024 Lancet Commission on Dementia, almost 45 percent of dementia cases can be delayed or prevented by modifying 14 lifestyle risk factors. These simple lifestyle changes can influence whether, when, and how severely dementia might manifest.
Researchers agree that early intervention had the most significant impact, but it’s also true that it’s never too early or too late to start taking positive action.
The 14 risk factors are divided into three lifecycle phases and one cross-life phase.
Early life foundations (under age 40)
1. Invest in quality education
Keep your brain active with continuing education through reading, play-based learning, and critical thinking. More education builds cognitive reserve, slowing down the onset of dementia-related conditions.
Midlife focus (ages 40 – 65)
2. Get regular exercise
It only takes 2.5 hours of moderate or vigorous physical activity to enhance blood flow to the brain, reduce inflammation, support memory function, improve sleep quality, and regulate mood, helping you reduce your dementia risk by up to 25 percent.
3. Preserve hearing health
Untreated hearing loss is one of the most significant modifiable midlife dementia risk factors. To support good hearing health, be sure to use hearing aids if needed and avoid prolonged loud noise exposure.
4. Manage depression
Depression doubles the risk of dementia if unaddressed, even in midlife. Seek out support from mental health professionals and follow their treatment recommendations that may include medications or lifestyle changes.
5. Protect your heart
Cardiovascular risk factors are tightly linked with cognitive decline. You can help preserve your heart health by lowering LDL cholesterol and controlling your blood pressure (aim for systolic ≤130 mmHg).
6. Prevent or manage diabetes
Midlife-onset type 2 diabetes is known to be a major dementia risk factor. You can help manage your diabetes using a mix of exercise, nutrition, and medications.
7. Stop smoking
Smoking during your midlife years can increase your risk of contracting dementia by 20 – 40 percent. You can improve long-term brain and heart health by quitting. See your doctor for proven strategies to kick the habit for good.
8. Limit alcohol use
Excess alcohol contributes to brain atrophy and cognitive impairment. Although abstaining from alcohol consumption is the most ideal approach, Canada’s Low-Risk Alcohol Drinking Guidelines recommends limiting it to no more than two drinks per week. Seven or more drinks per week puts you at the highest risk of causing damage that can lead to dementia.
9. Prevent head injuries
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is linked to early-onset dementia. Wear a helmet when cycling or playing contact sports to prevent head injuries. Also, avoid head-to-ball contact in sports such as soccer. In the event of a concussion, leave the game and seek medical attention.
10. Maintain a healthy weight
The risk of dementia increases with midlife obesity. You can help lower the risk by managing your weight with regular exercise and proper nutrition.
Proper nutrition across life
Following a healthy diet is critical to staving off signs of dementia throughout all life stages. For example, try the Mediterranean or MIND diets, which emphasize leafy greens, legumes, berries, fish, whole grains, and olive oil. Additionally, it’s wise to limit red meat, processed foods, sugar, and saturated fats.
Proper nutrition may not directly influence dementia risk, but it does help mitigate conditions such as obesity, diabetes, and hypertension that are linked to cognitive decline.
Later life protective strategies (ages 65+)
11. Keep physically active
Continue to walk, dance, swim, or otherwise participate in physical activities to protect your brain’s volume, memory, and executive function.
12. Maintain social connections
Social isolation increases dementia risk by up to 50%, so you must maintain a healthy social life, especially after retirement, in clubs, faith groups, community centres, and other activities.
13. Take care of vision issues
Untreated vision impairment is a recognized risk factor for dementia. Be sure to treat cataracts and correct any vision problems with glasses, contact lenses, or surgery.
14. Minimize your exposure to air pollution
Avoid living or spending time in areas with a high PM2.5 (fine particulate matter) air quality index. This information can be found online for your community. Additionally, pay attention to air quality alerts, especially in warmer weather, and use air filters to keep your indoor air clean.
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