Is Dementia or Alzheimer's Hereditary?

May 28

Written by:

Jeffrey Grossman

Published:

May 28th, 2024

Watching a loved one grapple with memory loss and cognitive decline is deeply emotional, and finding the right dementia care solutions can be challenging.

Two terms often come up in times like these: dementia and Alzheimer's disease. Although they are often used interchangeably, they are different. Understanding the differences is crucial as you navigate the path of care and support for your family member.

In this blog, we explore the distinctions between dementia and Alzheimer's, outline causes and risk factors, and discuss the hereditary nature of these conditions:

Understanding Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease
What Does Alzheimer's Come From?
Is Dementia or Alzheimer's Hereditary?
Does Alzheimer's Skip a Generation?

We aim to equip you with the knowledge to make informed decisions and find compassionate support for your senior loved one.

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Understanding Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease

First, let’s define our terms.

Dementia is an umbrella term that describes a range of symptoms affecting memory, thinking, and social abilities severely enough to interfere with daily functioning. It’s not a specific disease but a syndrome resulting from various underlying diseases and conditions.

Alzheimer's disease is a progressive form of dementia that destroys memory and other essential mental functions, accounting for 60-80% of dementia cases.

While both involve memory loss and cognitive decline, the pattern and progression of symptoms can differ. Alzheimer's typically starts with memory problems, while other forms of dementia might start with other symptoms, such as changes in personality or difficulties with language.

Now that we’ve differentiated dementia and Alzheimer’s disease let’s take a look at risk factors and causes.

What Does Alzheimer's Come From?

Alzheimer's disease is a multifaceted condition with various contributing factors, making it complicated to understand and address fully. These factors include a person’s genes (what we inherit from our parents), environment (things around us like pollution or head injuries), and lifestyle (diet, exercise, and brain activities).

While the exact cause is still under investigation, researchers have identified specific genetic mutations and risk factors that increase the likelihood of developing the disease.

Family History: Those with one or more first-degree relatives with Alzheimer’s are at a higher risk of developing the disease than those who do not.
Age: The most significant risk factor for Alzheimer's isn’t genetics but age. The likelihood of developing the disease increases dramatically the older you get. The risk of developing Alzheimer’s doubles about every five years beyond age 65.
Environment: Exposure to certain environmental factors, like air pollution, head injuries, pesticides, and aluminum, can also increase the risk of Alzheimer's. These factors may contribute to brain inflammation and damage.
Lifestyle Choices: Poor lifestyle choices, such as physical inactivity, unhealthy diet, smoking, lack of mental stimulation, and social isolation, can all increase the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.
Health Conditions: As a result of poor lifestyle choices, some individuals develop conditions such as heart disease, high blood pressure, and obesity. These are all risk factors that further increase the likelihood that someone is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.

Now, let’s look at genetic factors specifically.

Is Dementia or Alzheimer's Genetic?

Is dementia or Alzheimer's hereditary? It can be, but not typically.

Familial Alzheimer's disease (FAD) is a heritable form of Alzheimer's that usually manifests before age 65. If one of your parents has FAD, you have a 50% chance of inheriting the condition due to its genetic basis. Despite this significant inheritance risk, it's important to note that FAD is rare, accounting for less than 1% of all Alzheimer's cases.

Most Alzheimer's cases are classified as sporadic, meaning they don’t follow a simple inheritance pattern from parents to children. These cases are influenced by a combination of genetic and non-genetic factors, such as those mentioned above.

Other forms of dementia (e.g., vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia) also involve genetic elements but aren’t as well understood in terms of direct heritability.

Overall, while certain forms of dementia and Alzheimer's have a genetic component, most cases occur without a clear genetic mutation or consistent family pattern.

Does Alzheimer's Skip a Generation?

Another question families often ask is, "Does Alzheimer's skip a generation?" or, in more general terms, “Does dementia skip generations?” The idea of skipping generations can add to the anxiety and confusion about the disease. Let's explore this briefly to provide a clearer understanding.

Early-Onset Familial Alzheimer's Disease: Is early-onset Alzheimer's hereditary? Yes, familial Alzheimer's disease is a rare form that usually occurs before age 65 and can be directly inherited from a parent who carries specific genetic mutations. FAD does not skip generations because it follows a direct inheritance pattern.
Late-Onset Alzheimer's Disease: Is late-onset Alzheimer's hereditary? This more common form of Alzheimer’s often develops after age 65 and is less predictable, being influenced by many non-genetic factors. While there isn't a true generational skip, the perception of skipping may arise due to the random occurrence of the disease in families.

If you're worried about dementia running in your family, you may consider genetic testing.

Deciding to get genetic testing is a personal choice but should be cautiously considered. Knowing your or your family’s genetic risk can help you take steps to guide healthcare decisions, but it can also cause undue stress. If you're considering genetic testing for Alzheimer’s, it’s best to speak with a healthcare professional who can explain the benefits and potential downsides.

Get Specialized Dementia Home Care for Seniors Today

Watching someone you love struggle with memory loss, confusion, and even personality changes is heart-wrenching, and it's natural to feel unsure about the best way to care for them. At Commonwise Home Care, we understand these struggles and are here to offer the support and expertise you need during this challenging time.

Unlike general senior home care services, Alzheimer’s home care is a specialized form of care that requires a thorough understanding of the disease and its symptoms. Our Caregivers and care managers are trained to handle the complexities of dementia, ensuring that your loved one is treated with compassion, respect, and professionalism.

The Commonwise Approach

Personal Care: We tailor personal care to the stage and severity of the disease. By addressing challenges at any level, reinforcing routines, and scheduling the same Caregiver whenever possible, we ensure your loved one's comfort, well-being, and safety.
Healthcare Coordination and Advocacy: Our RN Care Managers bridge the gap between families and healthcare professionals, providing expert guidance to enhance care and improve treatment outcomes. Their support ensures you are not alone in navigating dementia care for your aging parent.
Social and Cognitive Stimulation: Our dementia care plans include activities designed to engage and stimulate, such as music therapy, puzzle-solving, walks, and more. These activities help slow cognitive decline, reduce agitation, and improve overall mood and sleep quality.
Respite and Family Support: Caring for a loved one with any form of dementia can be emotionally and physically demanding. We provide reliable respite care, allowing family Caregivers to rest and recharge while knowing their loved ones are in good hands.

At Commonwise Home Care, we help ease the burden adult children carry as family Caregivers. Our Care Team takes on those heavy responsibilities so you can spend more quality time with your parent as their child instead of their Caregiver.