If a parent or relative had dementia, then will I get it too?

Not necessarily.

Phew.

Family history of dementia is only one of several potential risk factors.

So, what factors increase the risk of dementia?

There are many factors that contribute to whether or not someone develops dementia, such as:

• age
• health conditions
• cardiovascular conditions
• family history of dementia
• history of neurological conditions or events
• overall health and lifestyle habits

and the list goes on...

Sure, having a family history of dementia is a risk factor for dementia, but it is just one of many factors. There are some types of dementia that are more likely to be passed down within a family due to specific genes that, thankfully, tend to be relatively rare.

More commonly, there are some genes that can increase the risk of developing dementia eventually, though most are not deterministic - meaning that some individuals with them eventually develop dementia and some do not.

What is the single biggest risk factor for dementia?

Getting older.

And since getting older is a risk factor we don't want to avoid, let's talk about what we can do despite the risk factors that we have.

There is good news!

There are lifestyle strategies that you can use starting today to decrease your risk of dementia, whether you have few risk factors or several.

Staying physically, cognitively, and socially active, adhering to a healthy diet and lifestyle, is one of the best things you can do for your brain health, no matter your age or family history.

Let's sum it up:

• Some genes passed down within families can increase the likelihood of dementia - some more than others - and only rarely are deterministic

• Most cases of dementia are not due to family history alone

• There are several non-genetic risk factors for dementia - several of which we have some control over and can do something about

• Staying physically, cognitively, and socially active with a healthy diet and lifestyle can have a meaningful impact on our brain health and lower our dementia risk