If both your parents have dementia, you might be wondering about your own risk of developing it by age 80. While having parents with dementia does increase your chances, it’s not a guarantee that you’ll get it too.
Dementia isn’t just one disease – it’s a group of conditions that affect memory, thinking, and social abilities. The most common type is Alzheimer’s disease. When both parents have dementia, it can be due to genetic factors or shared lifestyle and environmental influences.
For most types of dementia, including Alzheimer’s, having a parent with the condition roughly doubles your risk compared to someone without affected parents. If both parents have dementia, your risk might be higher, but exact numbers are hard to pin down.
It’s important to know that age is the biggest risk factor for dementia. By age 85, about one-third of people have some form of dementia. So reaching 80 without dementia is already beating the odds a bit.
There’s a rare form of Alzheimer’s called early-onset familial Alzheimer’s disease, which is strongly genetic. If your parents developed dementia before age 65 and have this type, your risk could be much higher. But this form accounts for less than 1% of all Alzheimer’s cases.
For most people, genes play a role in dementia risk, but they’re not the whole story. Your lifestyle choices matter too. Things like staying physically active, eating a healthy diet, not smoking, limiting alcohol, and keeping your mind engaged can all help reduce your risk.
Some health conditions also increase dementia risk. These include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, and depression. Managing these conditions can help lower your chances of developing dementia.
Remember, even with two parents who have dementia, you’re not destined to get it. Many people with a strong family history never develop the condition. And researchers are working hard to find new ways to prevent and treat dementia.
If you’re worried, talk to your doctor. They can help you understand your personal risk factors and suggest ways to keep your brain healthy as you age. Genetic testing is available for some types of dementia, but it’s not usually recommended unless there’s a strong family history of early-onset disease.
In the end, while having parents with dementia does increase your risk, it’s just one piece of a complex puzzle. Focus on the things you can control, like staying healthy and keeping your mind active, to give yourself the best chance of avoiding dementia as you age.
