Grandparents.com Research Finds Alzheimer's is the Number One Health Concern Among Older Americans

NEW YORK, July 18, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- A Grandparents.com GPCM recent survey completed by more than 3,300 registered users revealed that Alzheimer's is the primary health concern of grandparents—one-third (33%) of respondents cited it as the health condition that worried them most, followed by cancer (23.7%), chronic pain (15.9%), heart disease (10.8%) and diabetes (5.9%).

More than five million Americans struggle with the degenerative brain disease each year. Age is by far the biggest risk factor—according to the Alzheimer's Association, one in nine people 65 and older has the disease, while a staggering one in three Americans over 85 years old has been diagnosed. These statistics, and the fact that there is not yet any cure for this disease, underscore the fear.

"Our aim is to supply grandparents, their loved ones, and caregivers with the best information and resources possible," said American Grandparents Association (AGA) COO, Lee Lazarus. "Far too many families are forced to look on helplessly as they watch their aging loved ones suffer through their later years, and the strain on families is incredibly intense. The solution has increasingly become assisted living for those who fear their parent's deteriorating mind might cause themselves or others irreparable harm."

As part of its health and wellness content, Grandparents.com has interviewed many Alzheimer's experts including Rudolph Tanzi, Ph.D., Professor of Neurology at Harvard University, and Director of the Genetics and Aging Research Unit at Massachusetts General Hospital, about breakthroughs in understanding Alzheimer's, as well as treatments and prevention. 

"Once you have Alzheimer's disease, there doesn't seem to be a way to reverse it. But, Dr. Tanzi and others are now turning their attention to prevention of Alzheimer's and plaque that develops in the brain from a protein called beta-amyloid," says Lazarus.

"It's a paradigm shift in Alzheimer's," Dr. Tanzi told Grandparents.com. "We don't want to wait until you have symptoms because by then the disease has already begun….you have to treat amyloid 20 years before the symptoms—just like someone with high cholesterol treats the disease before the heart attack occurs."

"In terms of things people can do to prevent Alzheimer's, more research needs to be done," says Lazarus, "but there have been promising studies linking everything from getting more sleep, to daily walking, to eating foods with turmeric, as ways to help keep your brain healthy. And, of course, spending time with kids and grandkids improves wellbeing." 

About Grandparents.com, Inc. 
Grandparents.com, Inc. GPCM is a digital media company that focuses on services for America's 72 million grandparents and their families, by providing information on topics that matter most to this demographic – health & wellness, money, family, travel and more. Through its membership association, The American Grandparents Association, Grandparents.com offers members access to special benefits including discounts and rebates on products, services, and certain insurance products. With approximately 10 million annual site visitors and 2 million registered users, the American Grandparents Association and its content site, Grandparents.com, is a leading resource for people 50+. Visit www.americangrandparentsassociation.com or www.grandparents.com

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SOURCE Grandparents.com, Inc.