The first thing that flashes in one's mind upon recognizing a loved one has dementia is not often a strictly medical question but rather a very personal matter. That fear inside them hangs on the whole night: “Will this happen to me too? Did genes induce this? Could it happen to my children as well?”

The answer to this question, “Is dementia hereditary or genetic?” is that it depends. The important fact is that dementia is a treatable mental health condition. Thus, for clarity, it is best to consult an expert, aka a dementia psychiatrist, for complete care. So let us talk about this more together.

Can dementia be hereditary​?

Most dementia cases are not hereditary, like passing down eye color. While some genetic factors come into play, they play a very small role. Here is how different types of dementia pass through families based on scientific studies.

Alzheimer's disease:

You have a slightly higher chance of getting it if someone in your family has it, although it is usually not directly related.

• If more than one family member is affected, you are slightly more likely to have the disease as well.
• Most of the time, early-onset Alzheimer's (those diagnosed at age 65 or younger) has more of a genetic influence, although these cases are less common than late-onset (ages 65+) forms.
• There is not enough evidence to support the claim that late-onset Alzheimer's (over 65) has a greater genetic factor.

Other types of dementia:

• Frontotemporal Dementia: 40% of cases are the result of genetic mutations.
• Vascular Dementia: A family history of heart and stroke disease is actually a more likely risk factor than the genes responsible for dementia.
• Lewy Body Dementia: This dementia is typically not related to family history.
• Huntington's Disease: This is the most directly related to family history, but it is also rarer.

However, inheriting a genetic predisposition does not mean that you will definitely get one of the dementias. Imagine it like this. Having a genetic hazard of having dementia is similar to having a key in your pocket. The key could open a door, but only if you are lucky enough. The key, on its own, doesn't unlock anything. Lifestyle, stress, sleep, mental health problems, heart health, those are the factors that trigger or suppress that key in the pocket.

Early signs to pay attention to

Before we get to the details of what you can do, let's take a moment to go through the points that are worth noticing. Not to panic, but to keep yourself well-informed and take action if it seems necessary. Early support always makes a difference.

The signs do not go beyond occasional forgetfulness:

• Forgetting recent conversations or not being able to remember events, not just like you forget your keys somewhere
• Getting lost and confused in familiar places
• Struggling to find words during a sentence more often than usual
• Feeling more anxious, suspicious, or irritable without a clear reason
• No longer being excited about activities that used to make you happy
• Trouble managing money or everyday tasks that were once simple
• Sleep is changing significantly, either too much or too little

If you start noticing these things, for the best mental health care for seniors, it's best to consult a board-certified geriatric psychiatrist who understands the changes that occur in the brain with aging.

What actually helps?

Many people feel the pressure the most at this stage. They think they need to turn their lives upside down and fix everything instantly, which is not true. The little changes that are done consistently over time are more effective than the great plans.

Take care of your heart:

Blood flows to the brain through the heart; it is the silent damage of the brain over time. Aim to have these checked regularly, and that way, you will make one of the most significant moves toward a clear brain.

Exercise at least once a day:

It is not necessary to do hard training. A 15- 20-minute walk each day provides powerful brain benefits. It decreases the swelling, boosts the mood, and enhances the memory.

Boost mental agility and focus:

Reading, learning new activities, and playing games that make you think a bit, they are not just sedentary pastimes. They are your brain sessions.

Support your sleep:

The brain cleans itself during deep sleep. However, the problem that is years of lost sleep is one of the main reasons for cognitive decline that people forget.

Create connections with people:

Loneliness is genuinely one of the biggest risk factors for both depression and dementia. A little chat with a colleague can bring about a huge satisfaction.

Get your mental health checked:

This is one of the most underestimated, but the one that counts the most. The brain eventually changes due to long-term depression and anxiety. These do not just make one feel bad but contribute to dementia.

The role of mental health support

In a family, when one person has dementia, mostly, two groups of people need help. Those are the people suffering from the disorder and the individuals around them who have to manage it, aka caregivers. While managing a person with dementia, they replace their night sleep with a poor one, and most importantly, they rarely express their own emotions because they believe they don't have time for them. It is as if one day they are very exhausted, anxious, and barely contained. That's not a sign of feebleness, but the outcome of offering and not receiving anything in return.

For those living with early dementia, getting mental health support in the beginning, while they are still able to talk about their feelings and wishes, is one of the most important parts to play. A dementia psychiatrist can educate and help a person with dementia patient to feel seen, heard, and supported through something alarming.

Additionally, sometimes getting into a clinic is not easy, especially when dementia patients are confused, anxious, or afraid of talking to strangers. Online psychiatry means steady, obtaining expert aid but from home, without the tiring travel or the anxiety of unfamiliar environments, and thus, such a kind of care really makes a difference. 

At GABA Telepsychiatry, our board-certified psychiatrists work compassionately to provide an individualized plan to support overall well-being. Note that a licensed psychiatrist, for example,  Online Psychiatrist Florida are authorized to prescribe medication for people living in Florida only

The Takeaway

The genes do not control the rest of your life. They are just a piece of a much larger picture. Nevertheless, if your family has a history of dementia, you have every reason to be worried. You worried out of love for them. But worrying without action does not protect anyone.

What keeps you safe is this: becoming knowledgeable and obtaining necessary expert guidance. Getting support not only early but also in time. Managing your mind, and not only your body. 

Again, keep in mind that your genes are just ¼ of your story. You are the writer of the unfinished volumes.