Dementia is a general decline in cognitive capability, generally impacting short-term memory (the capacity to learn and remember new information) and another mental aptitude (or more), such as a drop in executive functions (organization, decision making) or language, or visual-spatial skills.

In dementia, these decreases commonly affect the capacity to be completely self-governed (e.g., difficulty managing funds or medications, impairment/disability while driving, etc.

The fact that women live longer than men is a factor in the increased prevalence of dementia.Cognitive Vitality, a program of the Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation, has other explanations, such as: higher education being connected to lower rates of dementia and older women not being afforded the same educational opportunities as men; depression, which has ties to dementia and is more common among women than men; and those who exercise being less likely to develop dementia, a concern since women are known to exercise less than men.Dementia affects women more severely, causing a faster deterioration in their condition than in men and resulting in a graver illness.

Alzheimer's is the most typical form of dementia, but there are others too. These include Frontotemporal dementia, Lewy body dementia, and Vascular dementia. It is even possible for a person to be affected by a mix of two or more of these.

Symptoms of dementia include memory lapses, bad decision-making, disorientation, trouble communicating, getting lost in familiar places, difficulty managing finances, repetitive questioning, using inappropriate terms, difficulty performing everyday activities, hallucinations, irrational behavior, unsteadiness, and movement issues.

When one notices any of these indications in themselves or a loved one, it is likely time to go to the doctor. This also applies if there are any new changes, new symptoms, or an intensification of previous symptoms. While it is not possible to cure or reverse the damage, medications like aducanumab and lecanemab can possibly slow the progression of the disease. That seeing a doctor is also necessary for any new treatments.

New research presented at the American Academy of Neurology’s 75th Annual Meeting has suggested that women who practice seven healthy habits may decrease their risk of dementia.

Researchers observed 13,720 women throughout a 20-year span to measure their risk of dementia. Medicare claims were consulted at the conclusion of the study to identify those with the disorder.

The female participants got a grade from 0-7 (0 being "poor" and 7 being "excellent") for seven health factors. The average score was 4.3 at the start of the study and 4.2 after 10 years.At the end of the 20-year study, 1,771 women had dementia.The results of the study indicated that with each one-point addition to the overall score, the probability of dementia for the participant decreased by 6%.

Staying healthy requires implementing seven habits: exercising, eating healthily, maintaining a healthy weight, not smoking, controlling blood pressure, managing cholesterol, and keeping blood sugar under control.

Dr. Joel Salinas, a behavioral neurologist and researcher at NYU Langone Health and chief medical officer at Isaac Health in New York, has some promising news. He said, “We don’t have to be too hard on ourselves. Even if people only manage to make improvements in one or two areas, they are still taking a step in the right direction. Little by little, these changes can lead to better health in the long run."