Alzheimer’s Disease Symptoms Women Over 50 Should Never Ignore—Plus Risks You Can Lower Today

Knowledge is power, especially when it comes to protecting your brain health. Alzheimer’s disease affects roughly 6.9 million Americans, and women face higher rates than men. But here’s the encouraging news: by understanding Alzheimer’s disease symptoms and recognizing your personal risk factors, you can take meaningful steps today to support your memory for years to come.

What Alzheimer’s disease actually is

“Alzheimer’s disease is a neurological condition that impacts our memory,” says Laura Korin, MD, MPH, medical director at One Medical and chief women’s health officer at Seek. When the disease develops, brain cells slowly degenerate and lose connection over time, which can affect both short- and long-term memory.

While dementia is an umbrella term for a range of conditions that affect cognition and behavior, Alzheimer’s is a specific disease—and the most common type of dementia, responsible for up to 80 percent of cases, according to Michael McGrath, MD, chief clinical officer and medical director at The Ohana Hawaii. The disease is partly caused by a buildup of tau and amyloid proteins in the brain, which causes brain cells to die over time.

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According to the Alzheimer’s Association, one in nine Americans age 65 or older has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. The good news? Researchers now believe up to 40 percent of dementia cases may be preventable through lifestyle factors.

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Alzheimer’s disease symptoms you need to know

Catching the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease early gives you the best chance to act. Some of the most common warning signs of Alzheimer’s include:

• Memory loss that disrupts daily life. Occasional forgetfulness happens to everyone, but frequent lapses warrant a conversation with your doctor.
• Trouble communicating. Dr. Korin describes this as “repeating words, telling stories that are hard to follow and forgetting what you were talking about.”
• Changes in mood or behavior. Increased anger, irritability or paranoia can be early signals someone may be developing Alzheimer’s disease
• Withdrawal from social activities. An increased desire to be alone may signal a shift.
• Difficulty with familiar tasks. Trouble with problem solving, orientation or recognizing surroundings can be an early Alzheimer’s disease symptom.

Alzheimer’s typically develops in adults 65 and older and progresses over time, but early-onset Alzheimer’s can appear sooner. Forgetfulness or losing awareness of time or place—even in your 50s—is worth discussing with a healthcare provider.

Risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease

Some risk factors are out of our control, but many can be influenced by everyday choices.

Risk factors you can’t change

• Age is the biggest factor when it comes to your odds of developing Alzheimer’s disease.
• Family history also plays a role—if a parent or sibling has Alzheimer’s, your risk increases by about 30 percent. 
• Genetics are another piece of the puzzle. Variations in the APOE gene, especially APOE ε4, are the most commonly identified genetic risk factor. That said, having the gene doesn’t guarantee you’ll develop the disease.

Risk factors you can modify

• Heart health: What’s bad for your heart is bad for your brain. A Johns Hopkins University study tracking nearly 16,000 middle-aged adults found that those with midlife vascular risk factors like diabetes or high blood pressure had a greater chance of developing dementia. 
• Weight: A 38-year study of 1.3 million adults concluded that individuals with a high body mass index (BMI) are more likely to develop Alzheimer’s. People with type 2 diabetes also face a much higher risk. “When insulin resistance develops in the brain, glucose metabolism is impaired,” explains Gowri Rocco, MD, MS, founder of Optimum Wellness and Longevity.
• Lifestyle habits. Smoking, heavy drinking, brain injury, depression and social isolation all contribute too. A landmark study by the Lancet Commission on Dementia Prevention, Intervention and Care found that 35 percent of dementia cases could be prevented by addressing lifestyle-related risk factors throughout our lives. (Check out how to quit smoking starting today.)

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How to reduce your Alzheimer’s risk

Fortunately, there are steps you can take today to help safeguard your memory. Here’s what our experts recommend:

• Move your body. Research in Frontiers in Human Neuroscience found that planned, structured exercise—even a daily 30-minute walk three days a week—slows cognitive decline.
• Eat for your brain. The Mediterranean and MIND diets, rich in vegetables, berries, fish and whole grains, are linked to better brain health. “What is heart healthy is also brain healthy,” says Meredith Bock, MD, board-certified neurologist.
• Prioritize sleep. Quality rest supports memory consolidation and brain detoxification.
• Stay social and mentally engaged. Puzzles, gardening, learning new skills and regular connection with loved ones all support cognitive health over time.

The bottom line on Alzheimer’s disease symptoms

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If you’re noticing changes in yourself or a loved one, talk to your doctor. Two FDA-approved medications, donanemab (Kisunla) and lecanemab (Leqembi), can help slow the disease’s progression when caught early. As Brent Forester, MD, of Tufts Medical Center, advises: “It’s really important to talk to your doctor right away and ask what could be helpful. Don’t be afraid.”

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