How a 15-minute 'awe walk' drastically improves mental health
Move over, forest bathing.
01 October, 2020
Credit: Robsonphoto / Shutterstock
- A new study found that weekly 15-minute "awe walks" have positive effects on mental health.
- Volunteers reported higher levels of gratitude and compassion after eight weeks of these short walks.
- Researchers believe this low-cost intervention could help prevent cognitive decline in older adults.
<p>Watch out <a href="https://bigthink.com/surprising-science/ecotherapy-benefits" target="_blank">forest bathers</a>, you have competition.</p><p>Perhaps better put, you have an addition to your ritual. According to a <a href="https://psycnet.apa.org/doiLanding?doi=10.1037/emo0000876" target="_blank">new study</a>, published in the journal Emotion, one surefire way to improve your mental health is by taking regular 15-minute "awe walks." </p><p>Researchers at the UC San Francisco Memory and Aging Center and the Global Brain Health Institute wanted to see if these focused walks in the woods could improve prosocial emotions in seniors. The team chose this cohort due to longstanding links between cognitive decline and mental health problems associated with anxiety and depression. </p><p><a href="https://www.ucsf.edu/news/2020/09/418551/awe-walks-boost-emotional-well-being" target="_blank">According to</a> associate professor Virginia Sturm, loneliness is particularly damaging to older adults and can help drive the onset of Alzheimer's disease. She was quite happy with the results. </p><p style="margin-left: 20px;">"What we show here is that a very simple intervention – essentially a reminder to occasionally shift our energy and attention outward instead of inward – can lead to significant improvements in emotional well-being."</p><p>The walking group was comprised of volunteers in their sixties to eighties. Each participant was told the study was about exercise, when in reality their task—taking a selfie at the end of each walk—revealed the actual intentions of researchers. </p>
Finding Happiness Through "Awe Walks"
<span style="display:block;position:relative;padding-top:56.25%;" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="0988a4421b47d7cdc45d740014a53b17"><iframe type="lazy-iframe" data-runner-src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-nVx6SriWPM?rel=0" width="100%" height="auto" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;"></iframe></span><p>Importantly, participants were instructed to observe details while walking around the forest. If the goal was only exercise, volunteers were likely to power through trails without noticing their surroundings. This is where awe comes into the picture.</p><p>UC Berkeley psychologist Dacher Keltner <a href="https://www.ucsf.edu/news/2020/09/418551/awe-walks-boost-emotional-well-being" target="_blank">explains</a> the relevance, noting that feelings of awe help us feel more generous and humble, while increasing our overall well-being. </p><p style="margin-left: 20px;">"Awe is a positive emotion triggered by awareness of something vastly larger than the self and not immediately understandable — such as nature, art, music, or being caught up in a collective act such as a ceremony, concert or political march."</p><p>The post-walk selfie is key. Week after week, their smiles grew larger. Incredibly, their bodies shrunk in the photos—the photographer stepped back to include more of nature. Instead of the normal close-ups we associate with selfies, volunteers naturally became more integrated with their environment, without any prompting from the research team.</p><p><a href="https://bigthink.com/21st-century-spirituality/individualism-is-spreading-and-thats-not-good" target="_self">Research</a> on individualist versus collectivist societies shows that the members of individualist societies tend to prioritize independence and autonomy. These seem like positive qualities, though higher rates of anxiety and depression are reported in such cultures. By contrast, collectivist societies emphasize interdependence, which ultimately makes members feel like they're part of a bigger landscape. </p><p>This is exactly what was reflected in those selfies. </p><img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDQ1MzQ0NC9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYxNTg1ODkzMX0.x8zLKLALb_kM43eNALUrRhMB_GKkjCxkPdjdgaYgSrM/img.jpg?width=1245&coordinates=0%2C43%2C0%2C164&height=700" id="7e1fa" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="ec4fd502a5e6a273154a44a7a6591a33" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" />
<p class=""><br></p>Credit: Rudmer Zwerver / Shutterstock
<p>Classical Japanese art offers plenty of examples of interdependence. Humans are rarely the focal point in these landscape paintings. People only appear as part of a much larger scene. This trend cuts across Buddhist art, perhaps unsurprisingly given the philosophy stresses collectivity. Happiness levels tend to be higher in these societies than in individualist nations.</p><p>America, arguably the global leader in individualism, has <a href="https://worldhappiness.report/ed/2019/the-sad-state-of-happiness-in-the-united-states-and-the-role-of-digital-media/" target="_blank">continually ranked lower</a> on world happiness charts over the last 40 years. Meanwhile, our rates of Alzheimer's disease <a href="https://bigthink.com/mind-brain/alzheimers-risks" target="_self">rise</a> every year.</p><p>Can a 15-minute awe walk change all of that? Not completely, but we'll take whatever help we can get. As mythologist Joseph Campbell <a href="https://www.jcf.org/works/quote/awe-is-what-moves-us-forward/" target="_blank">once remarked</a>, "awe is what moves us forward." He cited awe as a primary driver in the creation of mythology: the overwhelming sensation that you're part of something grand. </p><p>As Sturm says, this is a low-cost, worthwhile means for alleviating distress and filling people with gratitude and compassion. Given the state of the world, those qualities are in high demand. </p><p style="margin-left: 20px;">"I find it remarkable that the simplest intervention in the world – just a three-minute conversation at the beginning of the study suggesting that participants practice feeling awe on their weekly walks – was able to drive significant shifts in their daily emotional experience. This suggests promoting the experience of awe could be an extremely low-cost tool for improving the emotional health of older adults through a simple shift in mindset." </p><p>--</p><p><em>Stay in touch with Derek on <a href="http://www.twitter.com/derekberes" target="_blank">Twitter</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/DerekBeresdotcom" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Facebook</a> and <a href="https://derekberes.substack.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Substack</a>. His next book is</em> "<em>Hero's Dose: The Case For Psychedelics in Ritual and Therapy."</em></p>
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Only 35 percent of Americans know the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease
Yet 80 percent of respondents want to reduce their risk of dementia.
25 September, 2020
Photo: Lightspring / Shutterstock
- A new MDVIP/Ipsos survey found that only 35 percent of Americans know the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease.
- Eighty percent of respondents said they want to reduce their risks.
- An estimated 7.1 million Americans over the age of 65 will suffer from Alzheimer's by 2025.
<p>An estimated 5.8 million Americans over the age of 65 live with Alzheimer's disease. That number is increasing: within five years, The Alzheimer's Association <a href="http://www.apple.com" target="_blank">predicts</a> there will be 7.1 million. In 2020, $51.2 billion dollars in Medicaid payments will be made to treat nearly six million patients suffering from this condition. </p><p>Even though Alzheimer's is a well-known disease—it's the <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/leading-causes-of-death.htm" target="_blank">sixth-leading cause of death</a> in the US—it turns out that it's not well understood. According to a <a href="https://www.mdvip.com/about-mdvip/press-room/study-finds-many-americans-dark-about-dementia-and-alzheimers-disease-uncovers-how-pandemic2" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">new survey</a> conducted by MDVIP/Ipsos, only 35 percent of Americans know the symptoms even though 80 percent of respondents want to reduce their risks. </p><p>Specifically, 74 percent of respondents didn't realize hearing loss damages the brain; 72 percent didn't know diabetes is a risk factor for dementia (the disease that Alzheimer's often leads to); 64 percent were ignorant of the fact that lack of sleep shrinks brain size; and half of respondents didn't know the impact of emotional well-being on brain health. Over half of those surveyed also didn't realize high cholesterol and poor dental care play a role in Alzheimer's disease. </p><p>The researchers also discovered disturbing COVID-19-related data. While 58 percent of adults report changes in sleep, 57 percent note mood swings, and 51 recent suffer from emotional withdrawal during this time, only 8 percent are looking for professional help. </p><p>Dr. Andrea Klemes, MDVIP Chief Medical Officer, notes that checkups during the pandemic are especially important. </p><p style="margin-left: 20px;">"We don't yet know the long-lasting consequences that the pandemic will have on the brain, and we hope that research such as ours will continue to shine a light on this very serious health issue."</p>
<img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDQzOTcwMS9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYzODEwNjQ2MH0.SkBZOSDR_-4XzrhdlPOmRG5abK7PyPfmP2Vx0Fjxma4/img.jpg?width=980" id="9f4fd" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="647ffdcb7190a84173786b183dc4f930" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" />
<p class=""><br></p>Credit: logika600 / Shutterstock
<p>Remaining healthy requires regular screenings. Here again we see a disassociation between risk reduction and proactivity. Seventy-seven percent of respondents don't talk to their doctors about lifestyle habits that support brain health; 51 percent have never been screened for depression; 44 percent have never had a neurological exam; and 32 percent have never been screened for hearing problems. </p><p>Common early warning signs of dementia, <a href="https://news.yahoo.com/americans-worry-alzheimers-disease-survey-140644803.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">according to</a> Dr. Jason Karlawish, co-director of the Penn Memory Center, include repetitive questions and stories, difficulties with complex daily tasks, and trouble with orientation. </p><p>In terms of intervention, <a href="https://bigthink.com/21st-century-spirituality/does-lack-of-exercise-lead-to-dementia" target="_self">exercise</a>, <a href="https://bigthink.com/surprising-science/obesity-dementia" target="_self">diet</a>, building a <a href="https://bigthink.com/mind-brain/brain-reserve" target="_self">brain reserve</a>, and challenging your brain (such as learning a new language or musical instrument) are all proven methods for staving off the ravages of Alzheimer's. Oxytocin has also <a href="https://bigthink.com/mind-brain/alzheimers-oxytocin" target="_self">showed promise</a> in brain-addled mice, while researchers found positive results for a <a href="https://bigthink.com/mind-brain/intermittent-fasting" target="_self">group of intermittent fasters</a> in promoting neurogenesis. </p><p>Epidemiologist Bryan James says that dementia is <a href="https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2013/04/15/176920391/how-exercise-and-other-activities-beat-back-dementia" target="_blank">not an inevitable result</a> of aging. </p><p style="margin-left: 20px;">"It's simply not pre-destined for all human beings. Lots of people live into their 90s and even 100s with no symptoms of dementia." </p><p>Professor of neurology at Boston University School of Medicine, Andrew Budson, <a href="https://news.yahoo.com/americans-worry-alzheimers-disease-survey-140644803.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">recommends</a> aerobic exercise and the Mediterranean diet. As has long been known, whole grains, fruits and vegetables, fish and shellfish, and healthy fasts like nuts and olive oil seem to have brain-boosting properties. </p><p>To learn more, take the <a href="https://www.mdvip.com/brain-health-iq-quiz" target="_blank">Brain Health IQ quiz</a>.</p><p><span></span>--</p><p><em>Stay in touch with Derek on <a href="http://www.twitter.com/derekberes" target="_blank">Twitter</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/DerekBeresdotcom" target="_blank">Facebook</a> and <a href="https://derekberes.substack.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Substack</a>. His next book is</em> "<em>Hero's Dose: The Case For Psychedelics in Ritual and Therapy."</em></p>
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Oxytocin may play a role in protecting against Alzheimer's
Preliminary studies on mice show positive results.
07 August, 2020
Photo: Lightspring / Shutterstock
- While the exact cause of Alzheimer's remains unknown, researchers are targeting toxic beta-amyloid buildup.
- A recent study on mice found oxytocin could be a protective agent against plaque buildup.
- Though more research needs to be conducted, this is a hopeful sign in our fight against a crippling disease.
<p>While Americas watch the battle for the most cognitively-fit president unfold on social media and television, the problem pundits are really discussing is dementia. Currently, 5.7 million Americans are <a href="https://www.asha.org/PRPSpecificTopic.aspx?folderid=8589935289&section=Incidence_and_Prevalence#:~:text=Within%20the%20United%20States,%20approximately,2017;%20WHO,%202017)." target="_blank">suffering from diseases of dementia</a>. Alzheimer's disease accounts for between 60-70 percent of these cases.</p><p>There has long been speculation about the cause of Alzheimer's. We know that <a href="https://bigthink.com/21st-century-spirituality/does-lack-of-exercise-lead-to-dementia" target="_self">exercise</a>, diet, and continued education play a role in staving it off. Considering an estimated 13.9 million seniors worldwide will fall victim to dementia by 2060, it's a problem we need to address. </p><p>While somewhere between 1 and 5 percent of cases have been <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3992261/" target="_blank">identified as genetic</a>, one potential cause of Alzheimer's is the amyloid hypothesis. This idea, first <a href="https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/016561479190609V" target="_blank">proposed in 1991</a>, states that the brain becomes riddled with extracellular amyloid beta deposits. These amyloid plaques <a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/alzheimers-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20350447#:~:text=Alzheimer's%20disease%20is%20a%20progressive,person's%20ability%20to%20function%20independently." target="_blank">compromise cognitive functioning</a> by negatively affecting memory, decision-making, and planning, while causing depression, distrust in others, delusions, apathy, and changes in sleeping patterns. </p><p>Under normal circumstances, beta-amyloid plays a protective and reparative role in the central nervous system. When grouped together in plaques, however, the same peptide leads to disruption in cell function and neuronal death—the trigger for dementia. </p><p>This hypothesis was <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2677572/" target="_blank">updated</a> in 2009 to reflect the aging-related process of an amyloid-related protein. Regardless, the strongest indicator of Alzheimer's appears to plaque buildup. New research is pointing toward oxytocin as a potential therapeutic intervention. </p><p>Oxytocin gained popular currency as the "love hormone" due to its role in mammalian bonding. After an orgasm, oxytocin spreads throughout your bloodstream, resulting in feelings of satisfaction and contentment. Crying babies are calmed by the oxytocin provided by their mother's milk. </p>
<img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yMzU0MTMxMC9vcmlnaW4ucG5nIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYwNzc4MDM1M30.DY6DpFjVmrQ59g2CdtRsLb5Ao-68JBuZYhd1bFURtKk/img.png?width=980" id="c5c75" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="65c885ac84a806cc43466e71ef7bd1c5" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" alt="Dementia symptoms illustration" />
<p class=""><br></p>Photo: Varlamova Lydmila / Shutterstock
<p>As Eleftheria Kodosaki, an academic associate in Biomedical Sciences at Cardiff Metropolitan University, <a href="https://theconversation.com/could-love-hormone-oxytocin-help-treat-alzheimers-disease-heres-what-researchers-currently-know-143301" target="_blank">writes</a>, male mice were recently treated with the toxic beta-amyloid, resulting in the desired effect: their brain's synaptic plasticity suffered. The researchers then treated mice with the toxic beta-amyloid <em>and</em> oxytocin, which did not affect their neural plasticity. The team speculates that oxytocin may play a role in staving off memory loss.</p><p>That <i>may </i>is key. Kodosaki notes that this disease remains baffling. </p><p style="margin-left: 20px;">"In theory, being able to stop groups of toxic beta-amyloid from forming could potentially prevent memory loss and cognitive decline. Unfortunately, Alzheimer's disease is way more complicated than just an accumulation of beta-amyloid in the brain."</p><p>Plaque buildups have been discovered in people that don't have the disease or suffer from any symptoms. The beta-amyloid angle is only a theory, and there are others: as mentioned, genetics, as well as the <a href="https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0166223600020312" target="_blank">Tau hypothesis</a>. In 2002, researchers at the Institute of Psychiatry in De Crespigny Park, London speculated that tau proteins form neurofibrillary tangle inside of nerve cell bodies, resulting in the collapse of neuronal transport systems. </p><p>Kodaski points out that all medication targeting beta-amyloid has failed. She also notes that research needs to be conducted on female mice, as women are more likely to develop Alzheimer's than men. Of course, humans are not mice, though taking note of sex differences in mice might help researchers gauge potential therapies in humans. </p><p>As most studies conclude, more research is needed. But it is a hopeful sign for treating the frustrating realm of dementia. In an aging world with a <a href="https://bigthink.com/politics-current-affairs/world-population-decline" target="_self">declining population</a>, we need to protect our seniors the best we can. </p><p>--</p><p><em>Stay in touch with Derek on <a href="http://www.twitter.com/derekberes" target="_blank">Twitter</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/DerekBeresdotcom" target="_blank">Facebook</a> and <a href="https://derekberes.substack.com/" target="_blank">Substack</a>. His next book is</em> "<em>Hero's Dose: The Case For Psychedelics in Ritual and Therapy."</em></p>
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As belly size gets larger, the memory center in the brain gets smaller
Researchers at University College London link waist circumference with dementia.
30 June, 2020
Photos: Robyn Beck, Ronaldo Schemidt, Paul Ellis/AFP via Getty Images
- Researchers at University College London have discovered a link between waist circumference and dementia.
- Seventy-four percent of volunteers that developed dementia were overweight or obese.
- Women with central obesity had a 39 percent greater risk of dementia.
<p>One of every eight deaths in England was attributed to dementia in 2017. Considering the substantial public health burden this adds to a society, researchers at University College London wanted to understand the role of obesity on cognitive decline. A <a href="https://academic.oup.com/ije/article/doi/10.1093/ije/dyaa099/5861491" target="_blank">new study</a>, published in the International Journal of Epidemiology, sheds light on this connection.</p><p>Obesity impacts a range of health problems, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, stroke, and dementia. Around the planet, obesity rates in adults have tripled since 1975. In 2016, an estimated 39 percent of adults in England were obese.</p><p>The researchers specifically wanted to know if waist circumference (WC) plays a role in increasing dementia rates. The team pulled data from 6,582 participants from the <a href="https://www.elsa-project.ac.uk/" target="_blank">English Longitudinal Study of Ageing</a>, an 18-year study (so far) featuring over 18,000 volunteers. </p><p>For this study, adults over age 50 were considered. They were broken into normal weight, overweight, and obese groups. Body Mass Index (BMI) was one of two markers used. The relevance of this particular measurement—(Weight in Pounds x 703) / (Height in inches x Height in inches)—has <a href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/how-useful-is-the-body-mass-index-bmi-201603309339" target="_blank">long been contested</a>. It does not account for muscle mass or how fat is distributed throughout the body. </p><p>The WC measurement, which the researchers refer to as <em>central obesity</em>, adds a bit of clarity to the study. They define excess central obesity as 35+ inches for women and 40+ inches for men.</p><p>In total, 6.9 percent of volunteers developed dementia over a (maximum) 15-year follow-up period. Seventy-four percent of participants that developed dementia were overweight or obese. These findings are independent of demographics, lifestyle behaviors, hypertension, diabetes, and APOE E-ε4, a genetic risk factor for dementia.</p><p>Notably, women with excessive central obesity had a 39 percent greater risk of developing dementia compared with non-central obese women.</p>
Mediterranean Diet Has Huge Health Benefits, New Study Finds | The New York Times
<span style="display:block;position:relative;padding-top:56.25%;" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="f003c82b77eb38381dedb83ebf2e802a"><iframe type="lazy-iframe" data-runner-src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_JiKXdZwiIg?rel=0" width="100%" height="auto" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;"></iframe></span><p>Co-author Andrew Steptoe, a professor of psychology and epidemiology at the university, <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/23/health/belly-fat-dementia-link-wellness/index.html" target="_blank">sums up</a> the team's work:</p><p style="margin-left: 20px;">"Dementia is one of the major health challenges of the 21st century that could threaten successful aging of the population. Our findings suggest that rising obesity rates will compound the issue."</p><p>Dr. Dorina Cadar, a senior fellow at UCL and corresponding author of the study, suggests monitoring both BMI and WC status. Her suggestions include following a Mediterranean diet, reducing alcohol consumption, and regular exercise. </p><p>Dr. Richard Isaacson, the director of the Alzheimer's Prevention Clinic at Weill Cornell Medical College, <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/23/health/belly-fat-dementia-link-wellness/index.html" target="_blank">says</a> that brain health and waist size are linked, especially for women.</p><p style="margin-left: 20px;">"Based on emerging data from studies like this, we are now able to clarify sex differences in dementia risk. Combining these findings with my clinical experience, I have seen greater impact on visceral fat on memory function in women, likely mediated by metabolic pathways."</p><p>This is another in a long list of studies linking obesity to cognitive problems, and serves as a reminder as to why <a href="https://bigthink.com/21st-century-spirituality/does-lack-of-exercise-lead-to-dementia" target="_self">exercise</a> and <a href="https://bigthink.com/mind-brain/intermittent-fasting" target="_self">nutrition</a> remain your best defense against dementia. Regardless of the conveniences of modern society, human beings evolved during times of scarcity. We're not built for excess. Our brains pay the price when we indulge. </p><p><span></span>--</p><p><em>Stay in touch with Derek on <a href="http://www.twitter.com/derekberes" target="_blank">Twitter</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/DerekBeresdotcom" target="_blank">Facebook</a> and <a href="https://derekberes.substack.com/" target="_blank">Substack</a>. His next book is</em> "<em>Hero's Dose: The Case For Psychedelics in Ritual and Therapy."</em></p>
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By 2050, the U.S. Alzheimer's population will double. We're not prepared.
The Alzheimer's Association says its new analysis and surveys "should sound an alarm regarding the future of dementia care in America."
17 March, 2020
Pixabay
- By 2050, the number of Americans over age 65 with Alzheimer's is expected to rise from 5.8 to 13.8 million.
- A new report from the Alzheimer's Association highlights how the already-stressed U.S. healthcare system is not prepared to meet this surge.
- There's currently no cure for Alzheimer's, which is a degenerative and potentially deadly form of dementia.
<p>A <a href="https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__alz.org_media_Documents_alzheimers-2Dfacts-2Dand-2Dfigures.pdf&d=DwMFaQ&c=RAhzPLrCAq19eJdrcQiUVEwFYoMRqGDAXQ_puw5tYjg&r=GgivkKNHTVnLjjXi-z78EdTOTAei-Qk2cgtA-vxxZao&m=7Kavl7xY7G4-ShhGSI030JDQPta1lV0pc0snRWgRUhM&s=oWTt98a52Dwlgt4w2FCLc4sZ8u8x7cEA-E-RTEEuyGc&e=" target="_blank">new report from the Alzheimer's Association</a> forecasts a looming health-care problem: The number of Americans with Alzheimer's disease is expected to double by 2050, and unless things change, there will be a severe shortage of health-care professionals able to care for these dementia patients.</p>
<p>There are two key factors driving the problem: an aging U.S. population and a lack of health-care professionals trained to care for Alzheimer's patients. There are currently about 5.8 million Americans ages 65 and older living with Alzheimer's disease, which is about 10 percent of that age cohort. By 2050, that number is expected to hit 13.8 million. This surge poses a problem, given that the U.S. health-care system already struggles to treat people with Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia. </p>
<p style="margin-left: 20px;">"According to the National Center for Health Workforce Analysis, there was already a shortage of geriatricians in 2013, and although a modest increase in supply was projected by 2025, it was not expected to meet demand," the report states. "As a nation, we need to triple the number of geriatricians who were practicing in 2019 to have enough geriatricians to care for those 65 and older who are projected to have Alzheimer's dementia in 2050."</p>
The front lines of diagnosing & treating Alzheimer's
<p>A broad array of practitioners help to treat Alzheimer's, including physicians, nurses, neuropsychologists, and allied health care professionals such as occupational and physical therapists and home health aides, the report notes. Primary care physicians are generally considered to be on the "front lines" of treating and diagnosing the disease. But over-relying on primary care physicians comes with costs.</p><p>The report notes:</p><ul><li>The vast majority of older Americans diagnosed with dementia never see a dementia care specialist and are overwhelmingly diagnosed and cared for by non-specialists.</li><li>85% of people first diagnosed with dementia were diagnosed by a non-dementia specialist physician, usually a primary care physician.</li><li>More than half of PCPs say there are not enough specialists to receive patient referrals.</li></ul><img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yMjg4MTU2My9vcmlnaW4ucG5nIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYzNzk4ODkwMH0.vrK3Iy1OQM5JnR9SpsDSVlP7GNU89avU2xJVDzjkuY0/img.png?width=980" id="cd67c" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="73fd54bef0834f33eab0d3022b9ed6e5" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" />
The Alzheimer's Association
<p>What's especially alarming is that some primary care physicians aren't comfortable being on the front lines. The survey found that 39 percent of PCPs reported "never or only sometimes being comfortable personally making a diagnosis of Alzheimer's or other dementias." That's a problem, considering Alzheimer's treatments are more beneficial if the disease is diagnosed early.</p><img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yMjg4MTU4My9vcmlnaW4ucG5nIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYxOTU1MzQyOH0.Tnqf5AOGP4tDGUI7HE-OLa1gaoZkNh4017VwrbVcNQI/img.png?width=980" id="00c42" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="f9a186f943470af8c91a37e18182ca89" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" />
The Alzheimer's Association
<p>The Alzheimer's Association <a href="https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/diagnosis/why-get-checked#:~:text=An%20early%20Alzheimer's%20diagnosis%20provides,and%20may%20provide%20medical%20benefits." target="_blank">notes</a> that an early diagnosis allows patients the option to start taking medication for symptoms, make lifestyle changes, and participate in clinical trials. What's more, diagnosing Alzheimer's as early as possible would likely save the U.S. trillions in medical and long-term care costs for the degenerative disease, which can cause memory loss, cognitive impairment, hallucinations, and eventually death.</p><p>So, how can the U.S. prepare for the influx of Alzheimer's patients, besides continuing to search for a cure? The Alzheimer's Association report recommended several policy strategies that could help meet future demand:</p><ul><li>Offer scholarship and loan forgiveness programs, which incentivize people to attend medical and nursing schools, and to practice in rural areas.</li><li>Boost educational funding: "For example, federal funding of departments of family medicine at U.S. medical schools is associated with an expansion of the primary care workforce."</li><li>Support programs that build capacity in primary care: "One example is Project ECHO® (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes), a highly successful tele-mentoring program for health care providers developed by the University of New Mexico. Project ECHO has been shown to improve primary care for multiple diseases, including hepatitis C606 and complex diabetes."</li></ul>
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