All too few of us are aware of the risks we face on a daily basis and how our lifestyles can only exacerbate that risk. While we’re taught to be vigilant and protect our bodies from risks of heart disease, diabetes and all sorts of cancers, we tend not to think about dementia until we get much older. Yet, Young Onset Dementia can occur in younger adults, too. There are many causes of dementia in younger people. Some are lifestyle related and some are hereditary. In any event, those of us who’ve cared for an elderly relative with dementia will know just how heartbreaking it can be to look into the eyes of a parent or grandparent and see a complete stranger looking back of them without a trace of love or recognition.
None of us wants to subject our kids to this and since a dementia diagnosis can occur in middle age and even in your late twenties it makes sense to start putting the infrastructure in place to prevent it. With just a few well-advised lifestyle choices you can greatly reduce your risk of being affected by this terrible affliction.