New Analysis Finds Dementia Caregivers More Likely to Report Modifiable Risk Factors That Increase Their Own Risk for Dementia

– Dementia caregivers under age 45 are particularly vulnerable for having modifiable risk factors for dementia –

CHICAGO, June 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- A new analysis finds nearly 60% of dementia caregivers report having at least one modifiable risk factor that could increase their own chances of developing dementia. Nearly one in four caregivers (24.3%) report having multiple risk factors.

This first-of-its-kind analysis found that dementia caregivers are significantly more likely than the general population to experience conditions such as obesity, diabetes, poor sleep, smoking and hypertension. The most pronounced differences were seen in smoking (caregivers were 30% more likely), hypertension (27% more likely), and poor sleep (21% more likely). Additionally, caregivers were 12% more likely to have diabetes and 8% more likely to be obese. Physical inactivity was the only one of the six modifiable risk factors examined for which dementia caregivers reported being less likely to engage in than the general population (9% less likely).

"This analysis underscores the vulnerability of dementia caregivers," said Matthew Baumgart, senior vice president, Health Policy, Alzheimer's Association. "Dementia caregivers are often so busy caring for a family member or friend that they overlook their own health. This analysis should be a wake-up call for public health to develop strategies that address caregiver health to help this at-risk population."

The analysis, conducted by the Public Health Center of Excellence on Dementia Risk Reduction at the Alzheimer's Association and the Public Health Center of Excellence on Dementia Caregiving at the University of Minnesota, found that younger dementia caregivers (under age 45) are particularly vulnerable to having modifiable risk factors for dementia. It found:

• Younger dementia caregivers are 40% more likely to have multiple risk factors (21.6% versus 15.5%) compared with all adults in their age group.
• Younger dementia caregivers were also 86% more likely to smoke, 46% more likely to have hypertension, and 29% more likely to report less than 6 hours of sleep per night on average compared with all adults in their age group.

"By identifying elevated risk factors for dementia among certain dementia caregiving populations compared with the overall population, public health policymakers can prioritize and tailor resources and interventions accordingly," Joseph Gaugler, Ph.D., University of Minnesota School of Public Health. "Younger dementia caregivers, as well as American Indian/Alaska Native, Black, and male dementia caregivers, are all distinctly more likely to have conditions or behaviors that put them at greater long-term risk for cognitive decline and could benefit from additional attention." 

Previous studies have shown that caring for a person with Alzheimer's disease or another dementia can create new, or worsen existing, health problems for caregivers. More than 1 in 3 dementia caregivers say their health has gotten worse due to their care responsibilities, and more than a quarter of dementia caregivers delay or do not do things they should to maintain their health. The new analysis aims to spur public health agencies to address caregiver health and reduce the risk of dementia among caregivers.

The new analysis examined data from the 2021-2022 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) to determine if dementia caregivers are more likely than the general population to have modifiable risk factors associated with dementia. Caregiving data from 47 states were included in the analysis.

This work is supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of financial assistance awards totaling $6,307,435 with 100 percent funded by CDC/HHS. The contents are those of the Alzheimer's Association and the University of Minnesota and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement by, CDC/HHS, or the U.S. Government.

About the Public Health Center of Excellence on Dementia Risk Reduction
The Public Health Center of Excellence on Dementia Risk Reduction translates the latest science on dementia risk reduction into actionable tools, materials and messaging that public health agencies can use. For more information visit alz.org/riskreduction or email [email protected].

About the Public Health Center of Excellence on Dementia Caregiving
The Public Health Center of Excellence on Dementia Caregiving offers technical guidance to, curates and distributes resources for, and brings together public health agencies, service organizations, healthcare providers, and dementia caregivers. For more information visit bolddementiacaregiving.org.

SOURCE Alzheimer's Association