The Pasqual Maragall Foundation has organized the Fifth edition of the online meeting series “Remember” which has delved into the current scientific view of the impact of the disease on women and also into how to cognitively stimulate a person with Alzheimer's at home.
In the first of the talks, the Dr. Anna Brugulat, neuropsychologist and researcher at the Barcelonaβeta Brain Research Center (BBRC) has discussed the impact of Alzheimer's on women, since currently for every man diagnosed, two women are diagnosed, according to data from the American Alzheimer's Association. In this regard, she stressed that, thanks to scientific progress in research focused on women's brain health, important data has been discovered, including that "Women are more likely to develop Alzheimer's due to a greater propensity to accumulate the Tau protein, closely associated with the onset of the disease, which may accelerate their cognitive decline compared to men”.
In addition, the Dr. Brugulat, has indicated that “Some studies suggest that women with two or more children may be at higher risk of developing Alzheimer's, due to the biological changes and lifestyle adjustments that motherhood entails. On the other hand, there are studies that have observed how menopause, characterized by a decrease in estrogen levels, is also associated with an increased risk of manifesting characteristics of the disease."And for them it is crucial to delve deeper into the study and understanding of menopause related to Alzheimer's.
The impact of Alzheimer's on women can also be considered "doubly feminine" since Three out of four caregivers are women, according to data from the support and training programme for caregivers carried out by the Pasqual Maragall Foundation in 2022. This is because women often take on the role of caregiver involuntarily, which can lead to a considerable emotional burden.
Another consideration of the session was that Women tend to be more active in seeking activities that promote their physical and mental well-being., such as dance or yoga, possibly influenced by social, cultural and biological factors.suggesting a higher level of awareness about the importance of medical research and self-care”, according to the Dr. Brugulat.
Recommendations to promote cognitive abilities
In the second session of the “Remember” cycle, advice was provided to improve the cognitive abilities of people with Alzheimer’s. Gloria Mas, neuropsychologist and project manager of the Pasqual Maragall Foundation, has indicated that “To promote these abilities at home, it is essential to base them on the person's tastes and try to adjust them to the degree of preservation, without overprotecting or making excessively difficult demands.”. Stimulating through music, memory boxes, board games or personally relevant conversations can positively contribute to keeping us more present and active. Likewise, Further He assured that "Finding enjoyable and meaningful activities that pose an achievable challenge is the key to successful cognitive stimulation.«.
Finally, she highlighted the usefulness of the Foundation's program "Learn to care for others and take care of yourself," which provides the necessary tools to manage the day-to-day life of a family caregiver of a person with Alzheimer's, promoting the well-being and quality of life of both.
