Contributing Factors
Alzheimer's occurs due to genetic variants including the APOE gene, age-related brain changes (inflammation, shrinkage, vascular damage), and lifestyle factors such as poor diet, lack of physical activity, and smoking. Related conditions include stroke, diabetes, and heart disease (NIH, 2024).
Prevention and Health Promotion
Prevention involves managing blood pressure and blood sugar, maintaining healthy weight through exercise, quitting smoking, avoiding excessive drinking, correcting hearing loss, and getting adequate sleep (CDC, 2024).
Community Support Resources
Resources include the Alzheimer's Association of Colorado (providing education, support groups, care consultation, and research advocacy) and Dementia Friendly Denver, which creates inclusive communities for people with Alzheimer's (The Courtyards at Mountain View, 2023).
References
- CDC. (2024). Reducing risk of Alzheimer's disease. https://www.cdc.gov/aging/
- NIH. (2024). What causes Alzheimer's disease? https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/alzheimers/
- The Courtyards at Mountain View. (2023). Alzheimer's care in Denver. https://www.pegasusseniorliving.com/
Related: See our stroke nursing support or patient education and learning.