• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

FHE Health | Inpatient Rehab & Mental Health Facility in Florida Homepage

Drug, Alcohol and Mental Health Treatment

ContactCareers

Call for Immediate Help (833) 596-3502

MENUMENU
  • About
        • About FHE Rehab
          • About FHE Health
          • Our Staff
          • Locations We Serve
          • Testimonials
        • Our Campus
          • Gallery
          • Our Videos
          • The Health and Wellness Center at FHE Health
        • Our Locations
          • Alcohol Rehab
          • Detox Center
          • Drug Rehab
          • Mental Health Center
          • Outpatient Rehab
        • Careers at FHE Health
          • Employment Opportunities
        • Our Expertise
          • Accreditations
          • Educational Opportunities
          • Community Impact Award
          • First Responder Families Podcast
          • First Responder Paws
          • Education Scholarship
  • Addiction
        • Treatment Programs
          • Treatment Program Overview
          • Alcohol Addiction
          • Drug Addiction Treatment
          • Behavioral Addiction
        • Levels of Care
          • Continuum of Care
          • Addiction Detox
          • Inpatient Addiction Treatment
          • Outpatient Addiction Treatment
        • What We Treat
          • Alcoholism
          • Amphetamines
          • Benzodiazepines
          • Cocaine
          • Heroin
          • Opioids
          • Sedative
  • Mental Health
        • Mental Health Rehab
          • Mental Health Rehab
          • Onsite Psychiatric Care
          • Dual Diagnosis
        • Levels of Care
          • Residential Mental Health Care
          • Outpatient Mental Health Care
        • What We Treat
          • ADD & ADHD
          • Anxiety Disorders
          • Bipolar Disorder
          • Depression
          • Eating Disorders
          • Personality Disorders
          • PTSD
          • Schizophrenia
          • Substance Use Disorder
          • Trauma
  • Programs
        • FHE Programs
          • Specialty Program Overview
          • Restore (Mental Health)
          • Empower! (Women's Program)
          • Shatterproof FHE Health(First Responders)
          • Compass Program
        • Support Programs
          • Alumni
          • Family Support
        • Therapies
          • Acupuncture
          • Breathwork Therapy
          • CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy)
          • DBT (Dialectical Behavioral Therapy)
          • EMDR Therapy
          • Expressive Arts Therapy
          • Individual Therapy
          • Group Therapy
          • Gambling Therapy
          • Massage
        • Medical Care
          • Medical Integration
          • Ketamine Infusion
          • IV Vitamin
          • Fitness & Nutrition
          • Medication-Assisted Treatment
          • Medication Management
        • NeuroRehab Services
          • Neuro Rehabilitation
          • Neurofeedback Training
          • Neurostimulation Therapy
          • EEG Brain Mapping
          • Insomnia Treatment for PTSD
  • Resources
        • FHE Guides
          • Understanding Drug Abuse
          • Signs of Addiction
          • The Disease of Addiction
          • Confronting Addiction
          • Staging an Intervention
          • Rehab Success Rate – Does It Really Work?
          • Withdrawal Timelines
          • Life After Rehab
          • LGBTQ+ Community Resources
          • Veteran Resources
          • FHE Podcasts
          • Remote Resources Toolkit
        • Learning Center
          • Help for You
          • Help For Loved Ones
          • Help For Alcoholism
          • Help With Substance Abuse
          • Behavioral & Mental Health
          • Life in Recovery
          • Rehab Explained
          • Addiction Statistics
          • Our Research Articles
          • View All Articles
        • The Experience Blog
          • Addiction News
          • Alumni
          • Community Events
          • Expert Opinions
          • FHE Commentary
          • FHE News
          • Treatment Legislation
          • View All Articles
  • Admissions
        • Insurance
          • Blue Cross Insurance
          • Beacon Health / Value Options Insurance
          • Cigna Insurance
          • Humana Insurance
          • TRICARE Insurance
        • Admissions
          • Steps to Addiction Help
          • Will Insurance Cover Behavioral Treatment?
          • Self-Pay Rehab
        • FAQ
          • Keeping Your Job in Rehab
          • Example Day in Rehab
        • Contact Admissions
          • Contact Us
          • Secure Payment Form
  • Contact
  •  
Home > Featured in Commentary > Some Seniors at Much Higher Risk of Dementia–Why?

April 8, 2023 By Chris Foy

Some Seniors at Much Higher Risk of Dementia–Why?

Some Seniors at Much Higher Risk of Dementia--Why?

Aging is a natural part of life that can impact your body in many ways. Seniors can expect to experience drier skin, weaker muscles and poorer vision. Some forgetfulness is also normal, but dementia isn’t a natural part of aging. Dementia occurs when the brain is damaged by disease, whether that’s Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia or another form of cognitive impairment. Some seniors are more at risk of dementia than others. Understanding why can help you keep your brain healthy longer.

Understanding the Prevalence and Impact of Dementia on Seniors

The total number of people with dementia is increasing. Currently, around 7 million people have dementia in the United States, and that number is expected to climb to 9 million by 2030. This is largely impacted by the country’s aging population, as the prevalence of dementia is actually decreasing. Between 2011 and 2019, the proportion of people aged 70 and above with dementia decreased from 13% to 10%.

The World Health Organization reports that dementia is one of the leading causes of disability and dependence among seniors worldwide. It can cause depression, isolation and mood changes. Caregivers also have a poorer quality of life, with resentment, anxiety and depression common. A decrease in the rates of dementia can have a huge impact on the lives of seniors and their families.

Understanding Dementia Risk Factors

Dementia risk factors can be separated into two categories: non-modifiable and modifiable.

Non-Modifiable

Non-modifiable risk factors are those that can’t be changed. The largest risk factor for dementia is age. A person’s risk of developing dementia roughly doubles every 5 years after the age of 65. However, you can’t change your age. Other non-modifiable risks include:

  • Genetics
  • Ethnicity (incidence rates are higher for Black and Hispanic populations)
  • Exposure to pollutants

Modifiable

Modifiable risks are those that you have some control over. Research has found that around 40% of dementia cases worldwide are caused by modifiable risk factors. They include:

  • Smoking
  • High alcohol use
  • Use of opioids, marijuana and other drugs
  • Low levels of physical activity
  • Traumatic brain injury (TBI)

Making lifestyle changes, such as quitting smoking, exercising regularly and wearing a helmet when there’s a risk of head injury, could prevent or delay the onset of dementia.

Certain diseases are also a risk factor for dementia. This includes physical conditions, such as heart disease and diabetes, as well as mental health illnesses like depression. Although not all of these conditions are preventable, taking steps to control them can help lower dementia risk.

The Role of Cognitive Reserve in Dementia

Another modifiable risk factor in dementia is cognitive reserve. This is the technical name for “brain health” or “brain fitness.” Cognitive reserve is a person’s ability to cope with diseases in the brain. A larger cognitive reserve means dementia symptoms take longer to show up.

Causes of a smaller cognitive reserve include leaving education early, a job with less complexity and social isolation. A strong reserve is built up during childhood and early adulthood but can be increased later in life by staying mentally and socially active.

Loneliness and social isolation are of particular concern as dementia risks. Loneliness is feeling alone, while social isolation is when someone doesn’t have social connections. Studies have found that nearly a quarter of seniors are socially isolated, which can lead to loneliness. Lonely Americans are three times as likely to develop dementia and show signs of neurocognitive decline.

The Importance of Early Detection and Prevention of Dementia in Seniors

It’s estimated that dementia costs the U.S. economy more than $300 billion each year. But the biggest impacts are felt on a personal level. Preventing or delaying the onset of dementia could reduce the number of people living with the disease by 20%. This leads to better mental and physical health for both seniors and their families.

Early detection can also have a beneficial effect on the way people experience the condition.

  • Reduces stress: You have a definite answer about why symptoms have been occurring.
  • Allows for planning: You can make your own decisions about finances, legal matters and future care.
  • Access to treatments: Medications that slow cognitive decline or lessen symptoms are best started early.
  • Lifestyle changes: You can prioritize a healthy lifestyle that may help preserve cognitive function.
  • Clinical trials: You may be able to join clinical trials to help find better treatments for the condition.
  • Focus on what’s important: You can choose to stop working, travel or pursue your life goals in the early stage of the disease.
  • Get support: You can join support groups and get help from peers to adjust to a diagnosis.

Evidence suggests that people who receive an early diagnosis stay living independently for a longer period of time.

Strategies for Managing and Reducing the Risk of Dementia in Seniors

Common steps for healthy aging also keep the brain healthy. This decreases dementia risk and can delay the onset of dementia for those who do develop it. Here are a few great strategies.

Eat a Healthy Diet

There’s no single ingredient or food that decreases the risk of dementia, but a balanced diet can reduce risk. It ensures your brain gets all the nutrients it needs to stay healthy.

Exercise Regularly

Physical activity is good for your body and mind. A combination of both aerobic and strength-building activities keep your heart and blood circulation healthy. It also reduces the risk of diabetes, which is a dementia risk.

Control Health Conditions

Follow your doctor’s instructions regarding medications and lifestyle changes. Diabetes, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure and high cholesterol are all dementia risk factors. Getting these conditions under control reduces risk.

Stay Mentally Active

Mental activities help build your cognitive reserve. You should regularly do things that challenge your brain. This can include crosswords and puzzles, arts and crafts, learning new skills and reading books.

Stay Socially Active

Having a conversation exercises mental skills like communication, active listening, empathy and memory. Joining social groups, staying in touch with friends and volunteering are all ways to remain socially connected.

Avoid Alcohol and Tobacco

Smoking impacts the circulation of blood around your brain, while excess alcohol can change the way your brain works. Getting help to quit these habits can have a big impact on your brain health.

Filed Under: Featured in Commentary, FHE Commentary

More Questions about Treatment?

More Questions about Treatment?

We offer 100% confidential and individualized treatment

Contact Us

About Chris Foy

Chris Foy is a content manager and webmaster for FHE Health with years of experience in the addiction treatment industry...read more

Primary Sidebar

The Experience Blog

  • Addiction News
  • Alumni
  • Community Events
  • Expert Columns
  • FHE Commentary
  • FHE News
  • Treatment Legislation
  • All Articles

Sign up for the Blog

Our Facilities

Take a look at our state of the art treatment center.

View Our Gallery

Learning Center

  • Help for You
  • Help For Loved Ones
  • Help For Alcoholism
  • Help With Substance Abuse
  • Behavioral & Mental Health
  • Life in Recovery
  • Rehab Explained
  • All Articles
Contact Us
  • Call Now:
  • Best Time to Call:

Footer

FHE Health

© 2025 FHE Health

505 S Federal Hwy #2,
Deerfield Beach, Florida 33441
1-833-596-3502
youtube facebook instagram linkedin twitter
  • Contact
  • Careers
  • AI Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Sitemap
A+ BBB and Top Places to Work - Sun Sentinel

Copyright © 2025 · FHE Theme On Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

Manage Consent
To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.
Functional Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
Manage options Manage services Manage {vendor_count} vendors Read more about these purposes
View preferences
{title} {title} {title}

The FHE Health team is committed to providing accurate information that adheres to the highest standards of writing. If one of our articles is marked with a ‘reviewed for accuracy and expertise’ badge, it indicates that one or more members of our team of doctors and clinicians have reviewed the article further to ensure accuracy. This is part of our ongoing commitment to ensure FHE Health is trusted as a leader in mental health and addiction care.

If there are any concerns about content we have published, please reach out to us at marketing@fhehealth.com.

833-596-3502

Text/Call Me