Dementia Patients' Spouses Also at Risk of Memory Problems

New research has indicated that elderly caregivers of spouses with dementia are at an elevated risk of developing their own problems with attention and memory. This is being attributed to spousal caregivers sharing lifestyle risk factors with the person who has dementia as well as the ongoing stress of caring for that person.

Factors that put a caregiving spouse at a higher risk of cognitive decline or dementia include:

• Depression
• Loneliness
• Sleep problems
• Social isolation
• Exercise (or lack thereof)
• Diet
• Other factors, such as obesity

The authors of the study encourage health professionals to talk with caregivers about the "hidden risks" that come with caregiving and to stress the importance of healthy eating and exercising.

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