Factors of Alzheimer’s Disease of Which to be Aware

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, Alzheimer’s disease is a type of dementia that causes problems with memory, thinking and behavior. Symptoms usually develop slowly and get worse over time, becoming severe enough to interfere with daily tasks. Alzheimer’s affects a growing number of people. There are several factors known to play a role in Alzheimer’s. Let’s look at these factors both positive and negative.

Age

Age is one of the biggest factors to consider when discussing Alzheimer’s disease. Symptoms generally begin for most after the age of 65. However, the proteins that damage the brain can begin taking a toll on the patient well before symptoms appear. The Alzheimer’s Association reports that after the age of 65, the risk of Alzheimer’s disease doubles every five years. Alzheimer’s is associated with old age, but early onset Alzheimer’s occurs in some people, although it is less common.

Genetics

Another factor associated with Alzheimer’s disease is genetics. Although family history is not necessary for a person to develop Alzheimer’s, a person with a parent or a sibling with Alzheimer’s disease is at greater risk of developing the disease. If more than one first-degree relative (meaning a person’s parent, sibling or child) has Alzheimer’s, the person is at even greater risk.

There are specific genes that can increase the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. If a person receives a gene from one parent they are at risk, and genes from both parents increases that risk. Although these genes can determine risk of developing the disease they do not determine that a person will develop Alzheimer’s. In some rare cases, there are deterministic genes that guarantee a person will develop Alzheimer’s disease. There are genetic tests which can identify risk genes and deterministic genes for Alzheimer’s. A person can elect to have these tests to determine their risk for Alzheimer’s disease.

Lifestyle

Lifestyle can be a great factor in helping to prevent Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers have found that aspects of a healthy lifestyle can help to prevent Alzheimer’s disease. Healthy eating, exercise, and sleep are some lifestyle factors that can be preventative medicine for Alzheimer’s. Exercise can help to increase blood and oxygen flow in the brain and eating a heart healthy diet also shows great benefit. In addition, strong social connections have been shown to be a preventative factor for Alzheimer’s disease. Remaining mentally active can also help to reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s. Lifestyle is one factor everyone has control over and can go a long way in slowing or preventing Alzheimer’s.

Other Factors

There are other factors that can determine whether or not Alzheimer’s takes hold or not. Socioeconomic factors can determine whether Alzheimer’s takes hold. Recent research suggests that the more higher-level education a person has, the less likely that person is to develop Alzheimer’s. Head trauma earlier in life can put a person at greater risk for developing Alzheimer’s. Race and ethnicity have also been shown to play a role in risk for Alzheimer’s disease. African Americans and Hispanics are at a greater risk for Alzheimer’s according to research. Gender also plays a role in Alzheimer’s disease. Research indicates that because women are likely to live longer than men, they are also more likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease.

Although we know some of the factors associated with Alzheimer’s disease, there are still many mysteries surrounding it. There is no known cure for the disease and treatments can only slow the progression of Alzheimer’s. With this information, it is important to take control of the risk factors you are able to and be fully aware of early warning signs. Being armed with good information can help to slow or prevent Alzheimer’s from taking hold.

If you have any questions about something you have read or would like additional information, please feel free to contact us.

Reasons to take your Social Security Benefit Early

Receiving your social security benefits at an earlier age will not reduce the overall amount of your benefit over time. Because you will be taking it at a younger age, your monthly payment will be smaller than if you had waited but the aggregate payout overtime will be the same amount. To see how the numbers work out use the Social Security table or Social Security detailed calculator to understand how your monthly benefit payout amount differentiates depending on when you claim your benefits.

While it is not always optimal, there are some reasons to take your social security benefit early. If the potential for program insolvency is causing you additional anxiety, then it may make sense to start taking benefits earlier than your full retirement age.. Lack of quality sleep and over anxiousness in waking hours thinking about when to take your benefit can lead to health problems.

Another reason to take your social security benefit early is if you believe your life expectancy has changed. While the longevity rate keeps increasing the more you age, it does not prevent the unfortunate diagnosis of a life-threatening disease. If your health has declined and you may not live out your statistical life expectancy, then it may be proper to claim your benefit early. Claiming your benefit earlier can give you comfort financially, physically, and mentally.

If you are a legally married woman, you can make a rational case to start taking social security benefits at the earliest possible time if your husband has been the significant wage income earner. Statistically, the wife will outlive the husband, and the spouses can share the wife’s early benefit as an income source. But if you take your benefit early, how long do you have to be married before receiving your deceased spouse’s increased benefit? The answer is, it depends. There are three types of benefits in this married spouse category: spousal, survivor, and divorced spouse. Each status has different qualification rules, and it can be complicated to decipher the best benefit available to you. It is crucial to check Social Security Administration benefits for spouses as well as a trusted legal advisor to outline your best course of action.

Deciding when to take your social security benefits involves numerous factors. A balance has to be struck between the cost of living adjustments (COLA), current expenditures and expected longevity. If we can be of assistance, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

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