Dementia is a normal part of aging
It's a fact
It's a myth
Wrinkles are a normal part of aging. Dementia is not.
Fact: Dementia symptoms happen because there’s a brain disease at work that affects brain functioning. These diseases evolve and progress over time..
Dementia can happen to anyone
It's a fact
It's a myth
Any person can develop dementia in their lifetime, no matter their age, income level, education level, cultural background, or family history. There are steps you can take to reduce your risk. Learn how to reduce your risk
Dementia is mostly genetic
It's a fact
It's a myth
You can blame your family for many things, like your hair colour or those unmistakeable dimples, but dementia symptoms are not usually inherited.
Fact: Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia are not often inherited. Over 90% of the time, it’s not happening because of genetics.
Dementia only occurs in older people
It's a fact
It's a myth
Fact: While dementia affects more people as they age, it doesn’t discriminate, either. It can happen to people in their 30s, 40s and 50s, too. It’s called young-onset dementia when it affects people younger than age 65.
You can prevent dementia entirely
It's a fact
It's a myth
Fact: Scientists around the globe have been trying to answer this question for years. Lifestyle choices can lower your risk of developing dementia, but today there is no guaranteed method known to prevent it 100%.
If a person has dementia, their life is basically over
It's a fact
It's a myth
Fact: Many people continue doing things they love for many months or years to come, and those activities can be adapted as time goes on. All people are affected differently and every person’s symptoms are unique.
Half of Calgarians know someone with dementia
It's a fact
It's a myth
If you have a connection, you’re definitely not the odd person out. If you’re living with dementia, or know someone with dementia, you have something in common with half of the people in Calgary and surrounding areas (or about every other person you meet).
What’s good for your heart health is good for your brain health
It's a fact
It's a myth
All that effort to exercise, eat more veggies, reduce your blood pressure and cholesterol also helps reduce your risk of dementia. Heart healthy advice is also great for your brain.
People with dementia aren’t aware of what’s happening around them
It's a fact
It's a myth
Fact: Awareness doesn’t go away. Even if a person with dementia has trouble expressing themselves, they definitely feel emotions and can be aware of what’s happening around them, often into the advanced stages of the disease process.
Olive oil can be good for you
It's a fact
It's a myth
If you’re dreaming about that Mediterranean cruise on your bucket list, the Mediterranean diet is excellent for your brain (and that includes extra virgin olive oil). But you don’t actually have to go there to eat like you’re in the Mediterranean.
Dementia only affects memory
It's a fact
It's a myth
Fact: Anything your brain controls can be affected by dementia. Memory loss is common, as are changes with a person’s language, communication, judgement, problem-solving, decision-making, behavior, mood and more.
Being social is good for your brain
It's a fact
It's a myth
Remember back in the day when you’d get in trouble for talking in class? ;) It turns out that socializing is actually good for your brain. Connect with people, have conversations and make new connections. Doctors give it a thumbs up!
Losing your keys is a sure sign of dementia
It's a fact
It's a myth
Fact: We all lose things from time to time, but we can often retrace our steps to find what we’re looking for. This is not usually a sign of dementia. Find out the difference between normal age-related changes and a possible sign of dementia here.