Memory Problems Less Common Than 10 Years Ago!

Good news at last for the over 70-year-olds. Memory loss and other brain changes may actually be getting less common among the elderly (in the USA , anyway). University of Michigan researchers have reported this in the journal Alzheimer’s and Dementia.

The scientists compared the prevalence and 2-year mortality of ‘cognitive impairment consistent with dementia’ in two time periods: 1993-1995 and 2002-2004. The data came from the Health and Retirement Study, using people 70 or above. In 1993, 12.2% of the selected population had cognitive impairment, compared with 8.7% in 2002. Cognitive impairment was tied to a significantly higher risk of 2-year death in both years.

The likely explanation for this, say the researchers, is that today’s older folk are more likely to have had more formal education, higher economic status, and better care for risk factors, like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and smoking. Within the two populations, those with mere education and more wealth were less likely to have cognitive problems.

Experts fear that the gains made in the last 10-15 years may shortly be offset by the dramatic increase in type 2 diabetes, largely due to unhealthy eating and exercise habits. Alert seniors should warn their children accordingly!