The Shriver report says this horrific disease affects 10 million women annually.  That means that 10 million women either have the disease or are caring
for someone who has the disease.  Two-thirds of those who are diagnosed with Alzheimer’s are women.  Women make up sixty per cent of unpaid caregivers for people with Alzheimer’s.  The Shriver Report is based on a nationwide poll of 3118 people.

As Baby Boomers age, the numbers of those afflicted with the disease will increase.  The estimates place numbers of Alzheimer’s victims now at 5.3 million.  By 2050, that number will have grown to 16 million.

So what can seniors do to reduce the risk?  NIH (National Institutes of Health) experts don’t yet know what might reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s.   However, there are some things we senior citizens can do that certainly won’t hurt.  Those include:

• have good cardiovascular health (low blood pressure, low cholesterol, low BMI)
• consume omega-3 fatty acids
• commit to a daily exercise regimen 
• don’t smoke

Maria Shriver says, “I haven’t met one person who doesn’t say that exercise is going to be beneficial to you cognitively; anything that’s good for your heart is good for your brain.”

Her advice for now: “While they [researchers] debate it, just do it.” 

SCJ affirms Maria Shriver’s advice.  Take a look at some of Senior Citizen Journal’s articles about senior health and fitness for more information.