1) Insight Memory Care Choices is a Bay Area organization that helps place loved ones with dementia in suitable living communities, guided by administrator Sandra Wallace. 2) A global survey found that two-thirds of respondents thought dementia was a natural part of aging and 95% thought they would develop it, but dementia actually covers various disorders impacting the brain in different ways. 3) While genetics are a factor, risks like smoking, inactivity, and diet can be modified, so individuals have more control over dementia than the survey implied.

1. Modifiable
Aspects of
Dementia
Greater Than
Global Survey
Indicates
Insight Memory Care
Choices

2. Introduction
 Based in the Bay Area, Insight Memory Care Choices is guided
by licensed assisted living administrator Sandra Wallace. The
Insight Memory Care Choices team provides client-driven
solutions focused on ensuring that loved ones living with
dementia find the communities best suited to their needs.
A recent Alzheimer's Disease International commissioned study,
spanning 70,000 people in 155 countries, found that two-thirds
of those responding felt that dementia was just a natural part
of growing older. In addition, 95 percent of the respondents
were convinced that they would develop dementia within their
lifetime.

3. Dementia
 This is actually not the case, with dementia a broad term covering a
variety of disorders that impact the brain. With Alzheimer’s disease
(AD), the most prevalent type, dementia is most common after age 65,
but can happen to someone of any age.
The form of dementia associated with AD involves brain plaques
composed of tangled proteins developing in the brain. By contrast,
vascular dementia has damaged brain blood vessels as a proximate
cause due to restricted blood flow from the heart.
While genetics are part of the equation, other factors increasing the risk
of dementia have to do with smoking, lack of physical activity, and a
non heart healthy diet, which can be altered by those who are aware of
the risks. This modifiable behavior aspect of memory loss means that
much more is in an individual’s hands than the survey responses
indicate.