Active Aging

Let’s talk about Alzheimer’s: The numbers, risks, and hope

by Stacey Mason

June has been designated as Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month since President Ronald Reagan initiated the observance in 1983. President Reagan then shared his diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease with the public in 1994. It wasn’t long after this that Alzheimer’s became a household word. I bet many of you now know or have known a friend or family member dealing with this disease. I have had multiple family members diagnosed, and it was challenging for all those involved. It can be scary for both the individuals with the disease and their loved ones. With the right information, it doesn’t have to be a frightful experience.

According to the National Alzheimer’s Association:

• An estimated 7.2 million Americans, age 65 and older, are living with Alzheimer’s in 2025. Of those, 74% are age 75 or older.
• Another way of looking at it is that about 1 in 9 people (i.e., 11% of Americans), age 65 and older, have Alzheimer’s.
• Additionally, almost two-thirds of Americans with Alzheimer’s are women.

That’s a lot of people. And did you know Alzheimer’s begins to affect the brain up to 20 years before the onset of any symptoms? Some may read all this and think, “What hope is there?” There is hope!

Let’s start with what one can do to lower the risk of Alzheimer’s. Factors such as age, genes, and family history are not within our control, but there are many things we still can do. How can you lower your risk? The answers may seem familiar, as they’re often directions from doctors that involve maintaining overall health. You may be doing many of these things already: Maintain a healthy weight through a healthy diet of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fish, and healthy fats such as olive oils while limiting bad fats and sugars. Take care of your mental health by socializing, learning new skills, reading, and sharing knowledge with others.

All of the above suggestions are available through your Stockbridge Area Senior Center!

Another big change is to quit smoking. Always a wise choice.

Over my years of working with older adults, many people have expressed a fear of having Alzheimer’s because they have begun forgetting the occasional item. Let me stress this one thing: We all forget things, and it doesn’t mean we are heading for an Alzheimer’s diagnosis. I’ve had the Alzheimer’s Association staff give many presentations. The key point is always: Forgetting things is natural; forgetting what items are for is not. For example, you may forget where you placed your cellphone, but you still know how to call a friend. I may forget where I put my car keys, but I know I need them to start the car. It’s when one looks at a phone or a set of keys—or other familiar items they’ve used often—and they can no longer say why these items are needed or what they do.

I watched as my paternal grandmother, my Aunt Patty, and my mother-in-law were all diagnosed and lost their lives to the effects of this disease. It can be crushing for families. I’ve seen many family members try to correct their loved ones when they forget things. There are easier ways of coping, and that requires people to meet the patient where they are. What does that mean? If, for example, your loved one calls you by the wrong name or insists an event happened in a way it didn’t, go along. It doesn’t hurt anything and can save you plenty of frustration. If you spend time trying to correct your loved one, you may be wasting time and energy.

The brain of an Alzheimer’s patient is no longer the malleable organ we’re born with. If you have a loved one diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, know that some medications can slow the disease but not cure it. Please take note of the caregiver support available. Check out the Tri-County Office on Aging or WellWise Services websites for more information.

During Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month, take a moment of gratitude for the resources we now have to live with and manage this disease. Researchers are making strides every day to find a cure. The most recent news is that the Center for Medicaid/Medicare Services now covers PET imaging for an Alzheimer’s diagnosis. A new drug, Donanemab, was approved in 2024 to help with early-stage diagnoses. In 2023, the Alzheimer’s Association invested a whopping $100 million in research, the largest single-year total since its founding in 1980. We are making strides!

Besides taking care of yourself, there’s plenty you can do for others. Annually, the Alzheimer’s Association holds a Walk to End Alzheimer’s. Multiple locations in our state host this walk, including Lansing, Detroit, and Traverse City, to name a few. This is the association’s biggest fundraiser, and anyone can participate. Volunteers also are needed at these events to help with a variety of tasks. Volunteering also can help with brain health. It’s a win-win!

Stop by the Stockbridge Area Senior Center to chat about this topic and many more!

Stacey Mason is the director of the Stockbridge Area Senior Center (SASC)—a great place to spend time. Visit stockbridgeareaseniors.org or call 517-480- 0353 for information.