Dementia risk factors revealed and how to stop them

It is our greatest health fear and now experts have revealed what we can do to ward off dementia.

It remains our biggest health worry as we age — even more so than cancer or losing mobility.

More than 50 per cent of Australians fear developing dementia, according to Body+Soul’s Health of the Nation report, which found that fear was greater among older Australians and women.

Two in five people fear having a heart attack or losing their independence, while 47 per cent said they feared a loss of movement.

The survey findings come as a leading geriatric medicine specialist revealed the four factors that could help ward off dementia, which affects people’s cognitive function.

Dementia is an umbrella term which refers to the symptoms of a wide range of illnesses that are typically categorised by memory loss and deteriorating bodily function.

“We need to start treating our brain with the same amount of respect as we do our heart,” Professor Michael Woodward said.

Dementia Australia Honorary Medical Advisor Professor Michael Woodward. Picture: Eugene Hyland

The Dementia Australia Honorary Medical Advisor said these included making sure we exercise 200 minutes a week, follow a Mediterranean diet, maintain active social networks and exercise our brains for at least 30 minutes a day.

Prof Woodward said early signs include forgetting things easily, regularly misplacing objects or repeating yourself.

Other warning signs include mood and behaviour changes.

Dementia Australia CEO Tanya Buchanan said dementia is fast becoming Australia’s major public health dilemma, with an estimated 433,000 Aussies currently living with the illness in 2025.

“There has been a sustained and profoundly concerning lack of awareness and understanding about dementia in the community, with many Australians mistakenly believing dementia is a normal part of ageing,” Professor Buchanan said.

“Dementia Australia is calling for critical investment from the Federal Government to support a national conversation on brain health, combined with more targeted and effective supports for people impacted by dementia.”

Dementia is projected to soon be the leading cause of death among Australians, and is now the leading cause of death for Australian women, according to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW).

By 2054, the number of people living with dementia is expected to almost double to about 812,500 without “a significant intervention”.

More than half of permanent aged care residents have been diagnosed with dementia.

Dementia remains our biggest health worry as we age — even more so than cancer or losing mobility.

It is most commonly seen in those aged over-65, but according to Dementia Australia almost 10 per cent of cases involve those aged under 65.

Early-onset dementia currently affects 29,000 Australians, with that number also expected to rise by more than 41 per cent by 2054.

Body+Soul has teamed up with Laura Henshaw and Steph Claire Smith’s Kic to offer readers who sign up before March 3 four weeks free access to the app. On top of access to the entire app’s offering, Kic has created a bespoke Health of the Nation challenge, consisting of three weekly workouts that range from five to 20 minutes.

Dementia Australia helpline 1800 100 500

Originally published as Dementia risk factors revealed and how to stop them