September 21 is World Alzheimer's Disease Day. This day reminds us not just of statistics and facts, but of our attention to the elderly around us — to notice one more time "did they misplace the keys again", and to ask one more time "how is your memory lately".
First, break a myth: "Everyone gets like this with age" — actually, no
Many people think that declining memory and forgetfulness in old age is normal, that "confusion" is simply a natural law. But Alzheimer's disease (AD) is not normal ageing; it is a neurodegenerative disease of the brain. It gradually kills and atrophies brain nerve cells, eventually affecting memory, language, judgement and the ability to live independently.
According to Alzheimer's Disease International (ADI), a new dementia case is added globally about every 3 seconds, and Alzheimer's is the most common type, accounting for roughly 60%–70%. In China, the number of people aged 60 and over living with Alzheimer's has surpassed 10 million.
More importantly, the brain changes of Alzheimer's often begin silently 15–20 years before obvious symptoms appear. By the time families notice something is wrong, the disease may already have progressed for a long time. This is exactly why "early detection, early intervention" matters so much.
One thing to remember: memory problems that repeatedly affect daily life deserve to be taken seriously.
Ten signs: recognizing "a different kind of forgetting"
The boundary between normal age-related forgetfulness and early Alzheimer's is not always clear, but there are typical differences worth knowing:
| Normal ageing | Early Alzheimer's signs |
|---|---|
| Occasionally forgetting a name, but remembering it later | Repeatedly asking the same question, forgetting things that just happened |
| Occasionally misplacing keys | Putting things in unusual places (keys in the fridge) |
| Occasionally unable to find a word | Often losing the thread in conversation, with confused expression |
| Decisions a little slower, but still reasonable | Markedly impaired judgement, more vulnerable to scams |
| Occasionally miscalculating | Difficulty handling familiar finances and daily tasks |
There are also several other early signs worth paying attention to:
- Mood and personality changes — becoming suspicious, apathetic, irritable, or losing interest in things once enjoyed.
- Spatial disorientation — getting lost even in familiar places.
- Confused item management — repeatedly misplacing things, unable to recall the process.
- Social withdrawal — avoiding contact for fear of saying or remembering something wrong.
- Difficulty completing daily tasks — for example, suddenly unable to cook a familiar dish.
If an older family member shows one or more of the above clear changes, seek a professional assessment at a memory clinic or neurology department as early as possible, rather than simply attributing it to "getting old".
Scientific prevention: about 40% of dementia risk can be delayed or reduced
The 2024 report of The Lancet Commission states that about 45% of dementia cases worldwide are linked to 14 modifiable risk factors, including:
- Mid-life: hearing loss, traumatic brain injury, hypertension, excessive alcohol, obesity.
- Later life: smoking, depression, social isolation, physical inactivity, diabetes, air pollution.
- Across the lifespan: lower educational attainment.
This means that although age and genes cannot be changed, lifestyle adjustments have a real, evidence-based effect on reducing risk. Concrete steps you can take:
- Keep the brain active — reading, chess, learning new skills (an instrument or a language), and cognitive training games all build "cognitive reserve".
- Keep the body active — 150 minutes a week of moderate aerobic exercise (brisk walking, swimming, tai chi) is, per WHO guidelines and multiple studies, associated with slower cognitive decline.
- Protect cardiovascular health — hypertension, diabetes and high lipids raise cerebrovascular risk; keeping the "three highs" under control protects the brain.
- Protect hearing and vision — hearing loss reduces the stimulation the brain receives and raises cognitive load; studies show that hearing aids can markedly slow cognitive decline in high-risk people.
- Stay socially connected — talking with family and friends and joining community activities is simple and effective.
- Keep a regular routine and enough sleep — during sleep the brain clears metabolic waste (including amyloid-beta, which is linked to Alzheimer's); chronic sleep loss raises the risk.
After a diagnosis, what can families do
Facing a diagnosis, many families first react with anxiety and helplessness, even rushing to unproven remedies. A few suggestions:
1. Start professional, systematic intervention early. Alzheimer's has no cure yet, but combined intervention — medication plus cognitive rehabilitation training plus daily-living training — can slow progression and preserve the patient's quality of life and dignity.
2. Environmental modification matters. Simplifying the home, adding label reminders, and fixing where items are kept can significantly reduce the patient's anxiety and the risk of accidents.
3. Caregivers need "care" too. The psychological pressure and physical load on those who care for a person with Alzheimer's long term are very great. Do not forget to seek professional caregiver support and respite services; take care of yourself so you can better care for your loved one.
4. Regular professional assessment, with dynamic plan adjustment. The disease changes, and so rehab and care plans should adapt — not "one plan for all".
JianJia Rehabilitation believes that scientific intervention can let "forgetting" come a little more slowly, and give patients and families more quality time together.
References: The Lancet Commission 2024 report on dementia prevention, intervention and care; WHO dementia fact sheet and guidelines on physical activity; Alzheimer's Disease International World Alzheimer Report; and the China Alzheimer's Disease Report 2024.