Occasional forgetfulness—like misplacing keys, missing an appointment or having a tip-of-the-tongue memory slip—is part of everyday life for many of us, especially as we age. But how can we distinguish between the normal effects of aging and the first signs of dementia? Dr. Thomas Tannou, a geriatrician and clinical researcher specializing in Alzheimer’s disease at the Research Centre of the Institut universitaire de gériatrie de Montréal (CRIUGM), sat down with Janette Bertrand to talk about warning signs and the lifestyle habits that help support cognitive health.

Dr. Thomas Tannou, Geriatrician–Researcher
Institut Universitaire de Gériatrie de Montréal – Université de Montréal

 

As the Chère Janette campaign continues, having given thousands of seniors and caregivers the opportunity to share their concerns about aging, Janette Bertrand has made it her mission to gather possible solutions. In conversation with Dr. Tannou, she addresses the questions that many people have about Alzheimer’s disease. Along the way, she learns about practical ways to better protect brain health.

Aging and memory: When should you become concerned?

As we age, certain cognitive processes slow down, causing memory problems. But that’s natural, according to Dr. Tannou. “Picture a big salad bowl that holds everything and everyone you know. When you’re young, the salad bowl is not yet full. As you age, however, knowledge continues to build. Over time, it takes longer to find the right name at the bottom of the salad bowl because you need to sift through more items to get to it,” he explains.

But how do you know if a memory slip is “normal”? At what point should you be concerned if you can’t remember what you did the day before? Dr. Tannou suggests asking yourself this instead: “Did I really forget what happened or was I simply distracted and not paying attention to what I was doing?” With dementia, you cannot retrieve the information, even if you try hard to remember it, because your brain never recorded it in the first place. But if the information resurfaces after a moment’s thought, that’s a reassuring sign.

What is Alzheimer’s disease?

Alzheimer’s disease is a biological condition driven by a buildup of proteins that cause brain cells to die. The disease is progressive and can begin around 15 years before the first clinical symptoms appear.

Symptoms may include difficulty learning new things, remembering common words, organizing or planning daily tasks. As long as the person can go about their day-to-day activities, the condition is considered a mild cognitive impairment. Over time, the difficulties can become more severe and impact the person’s ability to function independently. The condition is then called a major neurocognitive disorder.

While Alzheimer’s disease is one possible cause of dementia, it’s not the only one. Other diseases or health issues, such as a strokes (CVAs), Lewy body disease or Parkinson’s disease, can also affect memory.

A major aging-related issue

In Quebec, 7% of people aged 65 and over are living with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia. That figure goes up to 25% among people aged over 85 %1.

In Canada, nearly one million people will live with Alzheimer’s disease by 20302.

Can Alzheimer’s disease be prevented?

Except for some rare forms, Alzheimer’s disease is not typically hereditary. However, lifestyle and environmental factors do play a role. “Close to 50% of the risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease can be controlled,” says Dr. Tannou.

That’s great news for Janette Bertrand who, like many others, has always considered Alzheimer’s to be inevitable. As it turns out, there are things you can do to stack the odds in your favour.

Eating well, staying active, and socializing: Three pillars of cognitive health

Regular exercise, such as walking or cycling, and a balanced diet are among the most beneficial habits you can adopt to support brain health. Conversely, Dr. Tannou points to several factors that increase the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease, including smoking, obesity, excessive alcohol consumption, and physical inactivity.

An active social life also plays an important role in maintaining cognitive function. To help stay socially engaged, Dr. Tannou emphasizes the importance of wearing hearing aids when needed. Good hearing makes it easier to participate actively in conversations, which are key to boosting memory.

Maintaining good brain health means keeping your mind active throughout life by learning new things, nurturing curiosity, and making time for social interactions.

Staying active with dementia

While there is still no cure for Alzheimer’s disease, research and clinical practice are advancing rapidly. Today, it is possible to confirm the presence of Alzheimer’s disease with greater accuracy using biomarkers detected through blood tests, starting from the very earliest symptoms and even before difficulties appear in daily life.

Diagnosing the disease early is essential to put the necessary supports in place, especially since new treatments are now available for these early stages and aim to slow the progression of the disease.

Dr. Tannou’s message is simple: do not wait before seeking medical advice. A medical evaluation can provide reassurance or, on the contrary, allow for timely intervention to ensure access to the best possible care and support.

Taking early action can make a difference

While there is no cure yet, research is making progress. Today, it’s possible to diagnose Alzheimer’s disease at an early stage and confirm the diagnosis with a blood test. What’s more, new treatments are now available and may help slow the progression of the disease when the condition is detected early.

Dr. Tannou’s message is simple: don’t wait to seek medical advice. A professional assessment can provide reassurance or allow for timely intervention, helping to ensure the best possible care.

Learn more about Dr. Tannou’s work.

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In this series

Explore other content from the Chère Janette campaign on topics that matter to you. Learn more

Learn more about chronic pain Learn more about urinary incontinence
Learn more about the role of family caregivers

 

The Foundation would like to warmly thank Québecor, presenting partner of this campaign, as well as Desjardins, partner of the video capsules. A special thank you to the Fondation Mirella et Lino Saputo for their generous contribution to the project.

Interested in the topic? Support the Fondation Institut de gériatrie de Montréal and help advance research into practical solutions to the challenges of aging.

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1-Institut national de santé publique du Québec, Prévalence de l’Alzheimer et autres troubles neurocognitifs.
2-Société Alzheimer du Canada.