If both your parents have dementia, you might be worried about your own risk. While having parents with dementia does increase your chances, it’s not a guarantee that you’ll develop it by age 60 or at all.
Dementia isn’t usually directly inherited from parents to children. Instead, certain genes can increase your risk. The most well-known is the APOE ε4 gene. If you inherit this gene from one or both parents, your risk goes up, but it doesn’t mean you’ll definitely get dementia.
For most people, the biggest risk factor for dementia is simply getting older. By age 60, the risk is still relatively low – only about 1-2% of people in their 60s have dementia. The risk increases more sharply after age 65.
Having two parents with dementia does raise your risk compared to someone with no family history. Some studies suggest it could increase your risk by 2-4 times. But remember, that’s still far from a certainty.
It’s also important to know that many cases of dementia aren’t caused by genetics at all. Lifestyle factors play a big role too. Things like exercise, a healthy diet, not smoking, limiting alcohol, and keeping your mind active can all help reduce your risk.
If you’re concerned, talk to your doctor. They can assess your individual risk factors and may suggest genetic testing if appropriate. But try not to worry too much about what might happen decades from now.
Instead, focus on what you can control. Stay physically and mentally active, eat well, manage stress, and take care of your overall health. These steps can help keep your brain healthy, regardless of your family history.
