Why Dementia Rates are Rising and What To Do

Why Dementia Rates Are Rising — And What We Can Actually Do About It  

This article on Dementia  is from the National Geographic Magazine .  We’ve discussed dementia on the blog here, here and here.

I have an ebook on Longevity, with more information based on the Longevity chapter in my book, Radical Resilience.

What’s Driving the Rise in Dementia:

• People are living longer. Longevity is a double-edged sword — with more people reaching their 80s and 90s, dementia risk climbs steeply.
• We’re better at treating other diseases. Thanks to advances in medicine, fewer people are dying from heart disease and cancer, but that means more are living long enough to develop dementia.
• Demographic shifts matter. The latest studies include more diverse populations, and certain groups — especially non-white communities — face higher risks due to limited access to quality healthcare, education, and healthy living conditions.
• Age is still the biggest risk factor. Nearly 1 in 5 people over 85 will experience dementia.

Some Good News:

• The onset of dementia is happening later in life than it used to, likely because people are managing their heart health and staying more active, both mentally and physically.

Practical, Science-Backed Ways to Lower Your Risk:

1. Invest in education early. Lifelong learning helps build cognitive resilience.
2. Don’t ignore hearing loss. Use hearing aids to keep your brain engaged.
3. Treat depression seriously. Managing mental health pays off for brain health too.
4. Prevent head injuries. Wear helmets and take precautions to avoid falls.
5. Stay active. Regular physical activity boosts brain function.
6. Quit smoking. It’s a major risk factor for dementia.
7. Keep blood pressure and cholesterol under control. Medications and lifestyle changes help.
8. Maintain a healthy weight. Especially in midlife, this lowers future risk.
9. Drink less alcohol. Moderation protects your brain.
10. Stay socially connected. Relationships and community matter!
11. Take care of your vision. Eye health supports overall cognitive health.
12. Breathe clean air. Air pollution has been linked to higher dementia risk.

Bottom Line:
There’s no magic bullet, but there are plenty of choices we can make. From staying active and connected to managing medical conditions, these everyday steps can help lower your risk and push the onset of dementia further into the future.

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