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Q: What is the Impact of Alzheimer’s on Nevada? (Wint)
Did you know that Nevada is the third fastest aging state in the country? With age being the greatest risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease, Nevada is poised to be hit hard by the Alzheimer’s crisis.
Nevada was declared a “Neurology Desert” by the Alzheimer’s Association, and, by 2025, our state will have fewer than 10 neurologists per 10,000 dementia patients. We estimate that there are currently more than 55,000 Nevadans living with Alzheimer's or another type of dementia and 84,000 serving as their unpaid family caregivers.
These dedicated caregivers provide more than 142 million hours of support and assistance to their loved ones.
Q: Who is most at risk for developing Alzheimer’s disease? (Caldwell)
Alzheimer’s disease may not be the first thing you think of when it comes to women’s health, but women make up two-thirds of those diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and are also more likely to be caregivers to someone with Alzheimer’s disease.
Research also suggests that gender-diverse people have added burden when it comes to Alzheimer’s disease. That’s why the Women’s Alzheimer’s Movement (WAM) Prevention and Research Center at Cleveland Clinic, located at Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health in Las Vegas, focuses on Alzheimer’s disease prevention and research for women and gender-diverse people.
Founded by leading Alzheimer’s advocate and journalist Maria Shriver, the WAM Prevention and Research Center is the first-of-its-kind in the U.S.
While we don’t yet fully understand why women may be at an increased risk, we do know that they have some unique risk factors or can be more affected by:
• Conditions such as menopause, diabetes, or depression
• Being less physically active
• Having a copy of the APOE-4 allele (genetic risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease)
• Life stressors including finances, grief, substance dependence or discrimination
Although Alzheimer’s disease affects all races and ethnicities, people who are Black or Hispanic have an increased risk. Black Americans aged 65 and older are roughly twice as likely as Caucasians in that same age group to develop Alzheimer’s disease or another dementia; and Hispanic women have a 1.5 times bigger risk factor than Caucasian women.
Courtesy of Cleveland Clinic
Dylan Wint
Q: How can I take preventative action with my own brain health? (Caldwell)
While there currently is no cure for the disease, there are proactive steps a person can take to reduce their risk or delay its onset. Four recommendations for Alzheimer’s prevention, risk reduction and keeping a healthy brain as you age include:
• Exercise. Aim for 150 minutes per week of moderate aerobic exercise. Think swimming, biking, dancing, or hiking.
• Sleep. Strive to get a full and complete seven to eight to hours of quality sleep each night
• Eat right. A Mediterranean style diet that includes whole grains, leafy vegetables, fresh fruit, and healthy fats like extra virgin olive oil and salmon. Following this diet is also good for heart health.
• Remain active. Not only physically, but socially and mentally. Join a book club or monthly cooking class, learn new skills and maintain healthy relationships.
Q: What’s the latest in Alzheimer’s prevention, treatment and research? (Wint)
The Lancet Commission on dementia prevention, intervention and care estimates that up to 45% of dementia cases could be prevented or significantly delayed through healthy lifestyle modifications, including managing comorbidities such as vision and hearing loss, high blood pressure, depression, and diabetes.
Complementing advancements in Alzheimer’s prevention is treatment. Last year marked a historic moment in Alzheimer’s drug development when the U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted traditional approval for the anti-amyloid drug, lecanemab for the treatment of mild Alzheimer’s disease.
A turning point for patients and researchers alike, lecanemab and another drug donanemab slow progression of a component of the underlying disease, not just treat its symptoms. These medications work by enabling the immune system to identify and remove the toxic buildup of amyloid beta protein in the brain, which is linked to the plaques in the brains of those with Alzheimer’s and may cause the disease.
Lecanemab and donanemab are only effective and approved for those in the earliest stages of Alzheimer’s, which is a small subset of the more than 6.5 million Americans living dementia. More research is needed to develop additional treatments that are even more effective and can be used for those living with later stages of Alzheimer’s, as well as other dementias.
Courtesy of Cleveland Clinic
Jessica Caldwell
Q: How does the WAM Prevention and Research Center help Nevadans who are eager to take proactive, preventative steps? (Caldwell)The WAM Prevention and Research Center, is the nation’s first women-specific center for Alzheimer’s prevention, research and caregiving support. We work with patients to determine individualized risk factors and map out a plan to start preventive measures through tailored lifestyle recommendations.
We also have optional diet and exercise resources that are designed to help you keep up with important lifestyle changes in the real world. The center located in Las Vegas is not only a clinic, but also a site of several cutting-edge research studies open to patients.
Our website, ClevelandClinic.Org/WAMPrevention, has an abundance of information from risk reduction to reading the latest research, even FAQs and appointments. Plus, you can explore virtual “Lunch and Learn” programs and educational opportunities to connect with fellow Nevadans who may be navigating similar experiences.
Q: What are helpful tips for those living or caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s or related dementias? (Wint)
According to a recent study by Parade Magazine and Cleveland Clinic, at least a third of caregivers suffer from depression and anxiety, twice as many as non-caregivers. These caregivers bear the burden of a 24/7/365 role and often do not know how to ask for help.
Nevada-based caregivers of patients at the Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health brainstormed the best ways to support the caregiver and help reduce burn out, based on their own personal journeys.
They created a custom guide focused on three areas:
• Self-care for the caregiver and care recipient
• Respite
• Helping out at home
Each category has tangible ideas on how to use the gift of time, skills or purchasing power to support these important components to mental and emotional health and well-being and is a great resource that can be used year-round to care for a caregiver in your life.
To download the Caregiver Gift Guide, visit ClevelandClinic.org/caregiverguide
