Dementia Risk Reduction: Common Questions
The modifiable factors associated with lower risk of developing dementia.
Last revised
Dementia Risk Reduction: the questions people actually ask, answered from published guidance.
Key takeaways
- Leading modifiable factors: hearing loss, high blood pressure, smoking, inactivity, excess alcohol
- Hearing loss: associated with raised risk; hearing aids are recommended
- Most useful single change: Treat hearing loss; it is among the largest single modifiable factors.
- Commonest mistake: Assuming nothing can be done about dementia risk.
- See a doctor if any of the signs under "When to get help" below apply to you.
What is Dementia Risk Reduction?
The modifiable factors associated with lower risk of developing dementia.
Why does it matter?
A substantial share of dementia risk is attributed to factors that can be changed, most of them in mid-life.
Leading modifiable factors for Dementia Risk Reduction?
Hearing loss, high blood pressure, smoking, inactivity, excess alcohol.
Hearing loss for Dementia Risk Reduction?
Associated with raised risk; hearing aids are recommended.
Blood pressure in mid-life for Dementia Risk Reduction?
A key target.
Education and cognitive activity for Dementia Risk Reduction?
Associated with greater resilience.
What is the single most useful thing to do?
Treat hearing loss; it is among the largest single modifiable factors.
What is the most common mistake?
Assuming nothing can be done about dementia risk.
When should I see a doctor?
See a GP for memory problems affecting daily life, difficulty finding words, getting lost in familiar places, or personality change. Memory problems have many treatable causes including depression, thyroid disease, B12 deficiency and medication effects. Seek urgent assessment for sudden confusion, which usually indicates infection or another acute illness.
Where to go next
- Dementia Risk Reduction at a Glance
- Dementia Risk Reduction: What Published Guidance Supports
- Dementia Risk Reduction — the reference entry
- The Evidence on Memory Problems, Without the Hype
- Stroke: What Published Guidance Supports
When to get help
See a GP for memory problems affecting daily life, difficulty finding words, getting lost in familiar places, or personality change. Memory problems have many treatable causes including depression, thyroid disease, B12 deficiency and medication effects. Seek urgent assessment for sudden confusion, which usually indicates infection or another acute illness.
Where this comes from
- NICE — Dementia: assessment, management and support
- Alzheimer's Society — reducing your risk
How this page was put together
Every figure, recommendation and warning above is taken from the guidance named in Where this comes from. Nothing on this page is inferred, summarised or generalised beyond what those bodies publish: where they give a number, it is their number, and where they are silent, so are we. Pages are rebuilt whenever the underlying record changes. Sign-off by a named clinician, where it has happened, is shown at the top of the page along with the date.
Medical disclaimer
This article is general information, not medical advice. It cannot account for your own history, medication or circumstances. Always speak to a GP, pharmacist or another qualified health professional before making changes that affect your treatment, and never delay seeking medical advice because of something you have read here. In an emergency, call 999.
