LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A new study is projecting that the cases of dementia are going to double in the U.S. by 2060.

The study was published in the peer-reviewed journal Nature Medicine.


What You Need To Know

  • A new study is projecting that the cases of dementia are going to double in the U.S. by 2060.

  • The study published in the journal, Nature Medicine, said the surge will be likely be due to a growing aging population

  • The research shows the risk of developing dementia after 55 years old is 42%

  • Eating right and exercising the brain will help keep your mind sharp, doctors said

Turning 65 years old is often considered a milestone and Zach Zoeller just celebrated that special birthday.

“It is a privilege to get up to that age,” said Zoeller.

Zoeller attended the Nazareth Home’s community session on brain health. He said he wants to find ways to keep his mind sharp for his family and community.

“A natural part of the aging process is that the brain slows down a little bit and even in this discussion, it was brought up about, you know, it’s natural that you slow down,” he said.

A new study from the journal, Nature Medicine, said in 2020 there were over half a million dementia patients, but it expects that number to climb to about a million by 2060.

“20 or 30, man. I was just all over it. I could go from one topic to the next and just be there on top of it and now that transition just naturally begins to slow down and so as you get to my age, you get concerned about that,” Zoeller said.

The study said the growing number of cases “will likely be driven by the large ‘baby boom’ generation reaching older age.”

Dr. Jane Thibault, professor emerita, University of Louisville school of medicine said there is a lot we don’t know about dementia, but she said it can be hereditary. She also said studies show that living in a neighborhood with air pollutants or even drinking alcohol can lead to brain issues.

“The other reasons for dementia are not stimulating your brain and just becoming a couch potato, not exercising, eating high fatty foods, not engaging with other people,” said Dr. Thibault.

The research shows the risk of developing dementia after 55 years old is 42%, more than double what previous studies showed.

Thibault said exercising and having a diet rich in vegetables are great for keeping the brain healthy.

“One of the prime exercises for brain enhancement is learning a new language and or, learning a new musical instrument. Both of those really, really exercise and develop your, you know, your brain cells,” Dr. Thibault said.

Zoeller said he is going to do memory exercises and use word association to keep his mind sharp.

“I’m happy that I’m 65. Why? Because I’m happy I got here. I had a lot of experiences, and I’ve got a lot more to do. I’m looking forward to the next ten years being great years,” Zoeller said.

The study said dementia is the leading cause of disability among older adults and leads to more than a 100,000 deaths each year.