In Utah we live longer — which is why we have the highest growth rate of dementia in the nation. By 2026, projections are that the state will be home to 50,000 people with Alzheimer's disease and other related memory-robbing conditions.
There is, therefore, a "sense of urgency" about finding the best ways to manage dementia, says Nick Zullo, development director of the Utah chapter of the Alzheimer's Association. Alzheimer's and related dementia disorders are the most costly of all diseases, he says, accounting for one-third of the current Medicare budget. "And the boomers are going to multiply these statistics."
Zullo will join LDS Hospital clinical neuropsychologist Dr. Kelly Davis Garrett today for the Deseret Morning News/Intermountain Healthcare Health Hotline, answering phoned-in questions from 10 a.m. to noon.
Alzheimer's accounts for about half of all dementias. Vascular dementia is the second most common form, but there are other types as well, including dementia associated with Parkinson's disease. By the time a person reaches 85, he has a 50 percent chance of developing some type of dementia, Zullo says.
A person with one form of dementia may also have another. And studies show that people who do not have Alzheimer's but have risk factors associated with vascular dementia often contract Alzheimer's later in life, he says.
It's not known what causes Alzheimer's, it's not clear what role genetics plays in most cases of the disease, and there is currently no cure. But it appears that a "brain-healthy" diet, physical exercise, social activity and mentally stimulating activities may help slow the progression of the disease and even reduce the risk of Alzheimer's and other dementia.
According to the "maintain your brain" program of the national Alzheimer's Association, a brain-healthy diet is one that reduces the risk of heart disease and diabetes, encourages blood flow to the brain, and is low in fat and cholesterol.
According to the association, a long-term study of 1,500 adults found that those who were obese in middle age were twice as likely to develop dementia later in life. Those with high cholesterol and high blood pressure had six times the risk of dementia.
The association advises the use of mono- and polyunsaturated fats, such as olive oil, to increase HDL ("good") cholesterol. "Protective" foods such as dark-skinned fruits and vegetables, cold-water fish and nuts such as almonds may also help.
A study of elderly women showed that those who ate the most green leafy and cruciferous vegetables were one to two years younger in mental function than those who ate few of these vegetables, according to the "maintain your brain" link at www.alz.org.
Mental activities such as crossword puzzles, math problems, creative writing and painting appear to also reduce the risk of Alzheimer's, perhaps by creating new nerve cells in the brain. For people already diagnosed with Alzheimer's, says Zullo, art therapy appears to have another benefit as well.
"It's being discovered that people with dementia who had no previous interest or aptitude for art seem to begin to develop a remarkable artistic talent and drive," Zullo says. He hopes that his organization will soon adopt an art therapy initiative called "Memories in the Making."
Even just viewing art can be beneficial therapy, he says. "Apparently, recognition of visual art runs very deep," accessing long-term memories in the same way that hearing old tunes does.
E-mail: jarvik@desnews.com