Dementia caregivers more likely to report risk factors that increase their own risk for dementia
A new analysis conducted in part by the Alzheimer’s Association found that dementia caregivers are much more likely to report at least one modifiable risk factor that increases their own risk of developing dementia. According to the analysis conducted by two public health centres in the US, nearly 60% of dementia caregivers report having at least one modifiable risk factor and nearly 25% report having multiple risk factors.
The analysis was based on data collected from 47 states and focused on six modifiable risk factors for cognitive decline among individuals caring for someone with dementia: diabetes, obesity, physical inactivity, smoking, sleep, and hypertension.
Compared with the overall population, dementia caregivers were more likely to report five of the six risk factors examined. The differences were most significant for smoking (30% more likely), hypertension (27% more likely), and poor sleep (21% more likely). Dementia caregivers were also 12% more likely to have diabetes and 8% more likely to be obese.
Gender, age, and race played a role, according to the analysis findings. Male dementia caregivers were about 15% more likely to have at least one risk factor versus female dementia caregivers.