To curb dementia including Alzheimer's, consider lifestyle changes and new metro-area classes

In 2018, I retired from the Iowa Department of Public Health, after being the state epidemiologist and medical director for 24 years. While I loved the job, and the great people I worked with, I wanted the time to work on an issue that was not only of personal relevance but was killing a lot of Iowans — dementia.

Did you know that dementia, which includes Alzheimer’s, is one of the top five causes of death in Iowa? (Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia, causing 60% to  70% of all dementias.) With dementia being present on both sides of my family, and seeing the devastation it causes, I have a calling, not only to lower my personal risk of developing dementia, but to help other Iowans lower their risk as well. 

The result will be an Iowa that not only has fewer people getting this terrible disease, but also is a place that prevents suffering by Iowa families and caregivers caused by watching and having to help loved ones as their brains stop functioning correctly.

Most people don’t realize that, while there is very little medicine can do once you have dementia, there are lifestyle changes that can significantly lower your risk of getting dementia — perhaps by over 70%. It is estimated that over 35% of all cases of dementia in Iowa can be prevented (even in those with genetic risk factors). And, there is even some evidence that mild cognitive decline (the first step of dementia) can be reversed.

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To help get the word out on prevention, the Alzheimer’s Association offers 10 Ways to Love Your Brain, tips aimed at promoting brain health, at alz.org. Exercising, taking classes, eating nutritious foods and sleeping adequately all help. And the Iowa Department of Public Health, at idph.iowa.gov/save-your-brain, has a quiz you can take to determine how much risk you’re already reducing and what more you can do. Even more information on useful lifestyle changes can be found at savingyourbrain.org.

But, as we all know, changing our behaviors can be difficult, so I’ve partnered with Broadlawns Medical Center, the Iowa Department of Public Health, the YMCA and Community Health Partners to develop a program called “Save Your Brain” to not only educate on what to do to reduce your risk of dementia — and other chronic diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure — but to also provide:

• behavior change tools.
• a long term support system.
• tasty examples of healthy eating.
• fitness/balance/strength classes.
• individual private consultations with a dietitian/nutritionist, a fitness coach, a pharmacist and a nurse navigator (to assist with specific health issues and questions).

This program gives participants a good chance of truly making the sustainable changes that substantially reduces the risk of developing dementia.

The 10-week classes will start the week of Jan. 12 and go through March. Locations include the South Suburban YMCA, Wellmark YMCA and the Waukee Family YMCA. For information or to sign up for these classes, call Community Health Partners at 515-575-9220 or email info@my-chp.com.   

While all Iowans could potentially develop dementia, some Iowans carry increased risk; for example, African Americans are twice as likely to develop Alzheimer’s and Hispanics are 1½ times as likely to develop Alzheimer’s as Caucasians. Of course, if there is any history of dementia in your family, you may be at higher risk.

Thus as 2020 starts, I’m asking our communities, especially public health advocates, nonprofit organizations and community-based health partners (including faith institutions), to continue to beat the drum, to share this information, and to provide tools and resources to Iowans about how they can reduce their risk of developing dementia and Alzheimer’s. And to get out the message that it’s never too early or too late to start!

Dr. Patricia Quinlisk is the retired Iowa Department of Public Health medical director and state epidemiologist.