The Healthy Body,The Healthy Body,Healthy Brain CampaignHealthy Brain Campaign

Alaska Commission on AgingAlaska Commission on AgingAlaska Division of Public HealthAlaska Division of Public Health

Alaska Mental Health TrustAlaska Mental Health Trust

Legislative Health CaucusLegislative Health CaucusTools to Stay Healthy: Health Tools to Stay Healthy: Health

Education & LiteracyEducation & LiteracyWednesday, November 14, 2007Wednesday, November 14, 2007

Older Alaskans by Age Group, 2001 - 2030Older Alaskans by Age Group, 2001 - 2030

0

10,000

20,000

30,000

40,000

50,000

60,000

70,000

2001 2006 2010 2015 2020 2025 2030

60-64 65-74 75-84 85+

Some 4,919 Alaskans age 65 and older, or 10.8% of that Some 4,919 Alaskans age 65 and older, or 10.8% of that age group, may have Alzheimer’s Disease and Related age group, may have Alzheimer’s Disease and Related

Dementias (ADRD), based on national prevalence rates.Dementias (ADRD), based on national prevalence rates.

..

Estimated Number of Alaskans Age 65+ with ADRD

553, 11%

1,784, 36%

2,582, 53%

Age 65 to 74 Age 75 to 84 Age 85+

Healthy Body, Healthy Brain Healthy Body, Healthy Brain CampaignCampaign

Educational outreach effort targeted to baby boomers and seniorsEducational outreach effort targeted to baby boomers and seniors

Senior Centers and Public Health CentersSenior Centers and Public Health Centers

Educational StrategiesEducational Strategies

Focus on the importance of lifestyle choices and reducing risk for Focus on the importance of lifestyle choices and reducing risk for developing ADRDdeveloping ADRD

Growth of senior populationGrowth of senior population

Prevention makes good “cents.”Prevention makes good “cents.”

Healthy Body, Healthy BrainHealthy Body, Healthy Brain

Healthy Body, Healthy BrainHealthy Body, Healthy Brain

New Research FindingsNew Research Findings

Physical activity reduces risk of ADRDPhysical activity reduces risk of ADRD

Depression is an ADRD riskDepression is an ADRD risk

Mental activity protects against ADRD riskMental activity protects against ADRD risk

Folate may protect against Alzheimer’s Folate may protect against Alzheimer’s diseasedisease

Obesity linked to Alzheimer’s diseaseObesity linked to Alzheimer’s disease

Reducing Risk Factors for Alzheimer’s Reducing Risk Factors for Alzheimer’s Disease and Related DementiaDisease and Related Dementia

Alzheimer’s disease is not a normal part of the Alzheimer’s disease is not a normal part of the aging processaging process

The risk for Alzheimer’s disease and related The risk for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia, like other chronic diseases, can be dementia, like other chronic diseases, can be reduced by healthy lifestyle habits.reduced by healthy lifestyle habits.

DementiaDementia

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementiaform of dementia

Related disorders include:Related disorders include: Mild Cognitive ImpairmentMild Cognitive Impairment Vascular DementiaVascular Dementia Mixed Dementia (Alzheimer’s & Vascular)Mixed Dementia (Alzheimer’s & Vascular) Wenicke-KorsakofWenicke-Korsakof

Common Features of DementiaCommon Features of Dementia

Affects Short Term MemoryAffects Short Term Memory

Problems with Comprehension, Attention Problems with Comprehension, Attention Span, and Impaired JudgmentSpan, and Impaired Judgment

Disorientation to Time and SpaceDisorientation to Time and Space

Medical Risk FactorsMedical Risk Factors

Heart DiseaseHeart Disease

StrokeStroke

High Blood PressureHigh Blood Pressure

High Cholesterol LevelsHigh Cholesterol Levels

DiabetesDiabetes

Head InjuriesHead Injuries

Healthy Lifestyle ChoicesHealthy Lifestyle Choices

Be physically activeBe physically active

Eat smartEat smart

Be positive & socializeBe positive & socialize

Live tobacco freeLive tobacco free

Seek stimulation and new challengesSeek stimulation and new challenges

Be head smart… avoid fallsBe head smart… avoid falls

Healthy Body, Healthy Brain Healthy Body, Healthy Brain Campaign EnhancementCampaign Enhancement

Project funded by the Alaska Mental Project funded by the Alaska Mental HealthTrust Authority with MHTAAR fundsHealthTrust Authority with MHTAAR funds

$150,000 in GF/MH has been requested to $150,000 in GF/MH has been requested to expand the program to senior centers and expand the program to senior centers and community health centerscommunity health centers

Fund programs that reward healthy Fund programs that reward healthy lifestyle behaviorslifestyle behaviors

Thank you.Thank you.