Dementia in Women: What You Need to Know

“Women are disproportionally affected by dementia, as reflected by a greater prevalence among women than men in all age groups,” according to WHO.^[01]

As shown in the following chart, there is a noticeable difference in the prevalence of dementia in men and women globally as of 2019, as noted by WHO.^[01]

However, it’s important to understand that there a variety of diseases that fall under the umbrella term of dementia, including the following:

• Alzheimer’s disease
• Frontotemporal dementia
• Lewy body dementia
• Vascular dementia
• Parkinson’s disease dementia
• Mixed dementia

Research points to higher rates of Alzheimer’s disease in women, which is the most common form of dementia. However, vascular dementia, the second most common form of dementia, is more prevalent in men.^[02]

Additionally, it should be noted that counting the number of dementia cases is complex and estimates of prevalence may vary because of differences in sampling strategies, study designs, age ranges included in studies, representation of minority groups, and more.^[01] Changes in diagnostic criteria over the years and the continuing stigma around dementia also contribute to the complexity of calculating the prevalence of dementia around the globe.^[01]

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While many risk factors apply to both sexes, there are some risk factors that are potentially more relevant for women.

Longer lifespan

“Women do have higher rates of dementia than men in part because of a longer life expectancy than men. Age is the greatest risk factor for dementia followed by gender,” said Julie L. Masters, Ph.D., a professor at the University of Nebraska Omaha who holds the distinguished Terry Haney Chair of Gerontology.

Biological predispositions

The female body experiences hormones differently than the male body. Females typically have a higher amount of estrogen and a lower amount of androgens while hormones in males are generally the opposite.^[03] Keep in mind that this is generalized and may not apply to all females at all times in their lives.

It’s speculated that events like early on-set of menopause may play a role in the development of Alzheimer’s disease in women.^[04] However, more research needs to be done on sex-specific risk factors for dementia in women, including those related to hormone-driven events, such as menopause and pregnancy complications.^[01]

Unknown factors

It’s essential to recognize that research remains limited on the differences between dementia risk factors for females and males.

“Men and women appear to differ in biomarker patterns and clinically in different forms of dementia. The contribution of the genetic, hormonal and societal roles of sex and gender as risk factors for dementia is not well understood and could provide new insights into the mechanisms of the diseases,” according to WHO.^[01]

There are a variety of reasons why there is a noticeable knowledge gap in research of dementia in women. These may include the following:^[01]

• Underrepresentation in clinical trials for drug development. Women have been underrepresented in clinical trials relating to Alzheimer’s disease despite being at greater risk for the disease.
• Lack of women in research studies and leadership positions in dementia research environments. As of 2022, WHO’s A Blueprint for Dementia Research report suggests that sex and gender equity should be considered in dementia research moving forward to help close documented research gaps.
• Less funding availability for female researchers. WHO also suggests in its blueprint that funding should be more equitably distributed to increase the relatively few grants and professorships available to female researchers.

It should be noted that recognizing and addressing gender disparities in dementia research and drug development could benefit all individuals – regardless of sex or gender – because more information and a greater understanding of the disease may lead to future breakthroughs in treatment or prevention.

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“Women seemingly are able to delay a diagnosis of dementia because they have greater cognitive reserve. They also demonstrate better verbal memory which helps women to score better on memory tests (a usual tool for identifying dementia),” Masters explained. “The drawback to this ability is that it delays the identification of dementia and treatment. Once the disease progresses to the point of taking over the cognitive reserve, women will show a more rapid decline.”

Additionally, societal or familial roles may affect if or when a woman’s signs of dementia are detected.

“Dementia is not limited to memory issues. It also includes performance on daily living activities, decision making, etc.,” Masters described. “For an older woman who has relied on others to handle finances, etc., a deficit in this area may not be apparent because others are taking care of this task.”

If you are a woman or are a caregiver to a woman, there are steps you can take to potentially prevent or delay the onset of dementia. These include the following, as explained by Masters:

• Prioritize cognitive activities. For example, you may choose to read a book or piece together a challenging puzzle.
• Invest in social relationships. You can choose to be intentional at maintaining a vibrant social network to prevent senior isolation.
• Participate in moderate physical activity. Exercise of this nature might include water aerobics or brisk walking. As always, check with your medical care team prior to starting a new exercise regimen.

For Alzheimer’s disease which disproportionately affects women, there may be a unique way to keep the brain healthy.

“Education is found to offer protection against Alzheimer’s disease and education is not something limited to childhood and young adulthood,” Masters said. “Lifelong learning has its benefits.”

It should be noted that these strategies for preventing or delaying dementia can apply to anyone – female or male.

There are still plenty of ways you can support your loved one with dementia. Here are several steps you can take to help your loved one manage her dementia symptoms:

• Create safety modifications for her home
• Try different memory activities
• Use specific communication strategies with her
• Encourage a healthy lifestyle with exercise and brain-boosting foods
• Seek professional care for your loved one

If your female loved one has dementia, you may have many suitable dementia care options to consider. From in-home care to secure memory care communities, you can work with professionals and your family members to find an appropriate option. Discover what type of care may fit your loved one’s unique needs through a no-cost consultation with a Senior Living Advisor at A Place for Mom.