Are You at Risk for Alzheimer's? 12 Questions

By Paula Spencer Scott, Caring.com senior editor

Although certain basic lifestyle changes can help delay the onset of the disease in some people, the exact cause of Alzheimer’s disease isn’t yet understood. Alzheimer’s is a progressive neurodegenerative brain disorder: Normal brain cell function is gradually destroyed, leading to irreversible declines in memory, cognition, and behavior. But what causes things to go awry remains unknown. It may be that Alzheimer’s has several causes or that the interplay between genetic makeup and certain risk factors determines who’s affected.

The following questions are based on the known risk factors for Alzheimer’s. See how many apply to you or someone you are caring for, to assess the risk of eventually developing the disease.

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Are You at Risk For Alzheimer’s? 12 Questions originally appeared on Caring.com.

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Read more: Alzheimer's, Caregiving, Health, Healthy Aging, alzheimer's, risk

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Sheri P.

10:13PM PDT on May 21, 2012

thanks for the article. a friend's father passed from alzheimers which he got at a very early age. i hope my friend doesn't "inherit" this awful disease...

send a green star

Abbe A.

8:24PM PDT on May 8, 2012

wonder how many of these factors you need to have to be at risk, or if any one is enough reason to worry

Patty B.

9:09AM PDT on May 7, 2012

My mother had Alzeimers and happily died being unaware and my father was aware till the second he died ....so I try to keep involved with the world and explore .I became a travel agent so I can learn more and keep the wonder of this world close to my heart .I take any destination traing I can (online) and sometimes visit the countries (no..no freebies..last trip I took to Suriname was only discounted by $84.00 vs the full rate.Discounts on air ? NEVER ) Keeps my mind going . In the future? Who knows ? I also take acting classes so I can keep the extroverted part of me there since I am naturally quiet and easy in my own skin .Makes me interact more and give thought about being put into certain situations . I also have a cat to care for .So , my advice is to keep busy and do what you love and appreciate this time and place you live in. Will it stave off Alzeimers ? I have no idea. I also take French maritime pine bark but also read that cucuremin (sp ?) which is from tumeric helps.

Valerie R.

9:59AM PDT on May 6, 2012

A well written article - thanks!

Halina S.

11:26AM PDT on May 2, 2012

Very interesting. Thanks a lot.

Howard C.

3:21PM PDT on May 1, 2012

A really interesting article. A dear friend, who died last week, was begining to develop quite serious Alzheimer’s; I also helped nurse my father-in-law who had the disease. It is a terrible condition not least for those who can do nothing but stand around and watch someone that they care about taken away even though their body continues.

Harbor H.

9:54AM PDT on Apr 30, 2012

I was wondering if the author had given any thought to....

Oh no.. I can't remember what I was going to ask.

yana d.

9:29AM PDT on Apr 30, 2012

Thank you.

Marie W.

11:23PM PDT on Apr 29, 2012

Is Alzheimer’s more common nowadays or is it just noticed more?

anna l.

9:56PM PDT on Apr 29, 2012

Thank you for the article.