Neurologist Dr. James E. Galvin, founding director of the Comprehensive Center for Brain Health in Boca Raton, will be among the speakers Nov. 19 at the Alzheimer’s conference in Boca. Galvin made lifestyle changes in weight, diet and exercise to mitigate his own Alzheimer’s risks. Photo provided
By Jan Engoren
Amid rising rates of dementia, the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America is sponsoring a free educational conference open to the public on Nov. 19 in Boca Raton that will offer expert insights into brain health, caregiving strategies and the latest research on the subject.
The event is for caregivers, health care professionals and anyone else concerned about brain health. It is being held at the Boca Raton Marriott at Boca Center.
Among the featured speakers at the Alzheimer’s & Caregiving Conference is James E. Galvin, professor of neurology, psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, who emphasizes a proactive approach to keeping your brain in top condition.
“You can take control of your brain health,” Galvin says.
A growing concern
An estimated 7.2 million Americans age 65 and older live with Alzheimer’s dementia — the most common type of dementia today, according to Alzheimer’s Foundation figures.
This number could grow to 13.8 million by 2060, barring the development of medical breakthroughs to prevent or cure Alzheimer’s dementia.
The impact is felt locally as well.
In Palm Beach County, according to 2024 statistics provided by the Florida Department of Health, approximately 12.5% of the population, or almost 50,000 individuals, has “probable” cases of the disease.
Conference organizers hope to spread information that can make a difference in the lives of people experiencing Alzheimer’s — and offer tips for anyone else to reduce their risk of getting the disease.
“Knowledge is a useful and powerful tool that can make any situation easier to navigate, especially something as challenging as caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease,” Charles J. Fuschillo Jr., president of the nonprofit Alzheimer’s Foundation, says in a news release.
While there’s no cure for Alzheimer’s, experts stress that it’s not an inevitable part of aging — and many risk factors are within our control.
Besides age, other risk factors for developing the disease include family history, genetics and head injuries. Women are more predisposed to the disease than are men.
Conference topics
A pair of conference speakers will discuss strategies to help interpret and address the behaviors of someone who has Alzheimer’s disease. Karen L. Gilbert is with Alzheimer’s Community Care in West Palm Beach and Blake Davis provides Alzheimer’s-related training for area sheriff’s offices.
Gilbert and Davis will talk about how behaviors can serve as communication and how caregivers can respond to challenging situations.
Jeremy Koppel, co-director of Northwell’s Litwin-Zucker Research Center in Manhasset, New York, will address the basics of clinical trials, how people can participate in them and factors to consider before deciding to enroll.
This year, for instance, several new drugs targeting beta-amyloid plaque in the brain have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration.
Clinical trials are ongoing to explore ways to reduce both beta-amyloid and tau tangles, which are proteins associated with Alzheimer’s.
Other current trials look to decrease brain cell inflammation, investigate how insulin may affect brain function, and better understand the connection between cardiovascular health and brain health.
Galvin, 61, who works out of the Comprehensive Center for Brain Health based in Boca Raton, practices what he preaches regarding how to build a better and healthier brain.
Tips for changing
His message goes beyond the conference — it’s written into his daily routine to improve his own health.
He lost 70 pounds, changed his approach to food, began exercising every morning — one hour of high intensity interval training — and lifting weights twice a week with a personal trainer. Every weekend, he does a 5-mile walk on the beach.
Never a smoker and once a social drinker, Galvin has eliminated alcohol completely.
His transformation embodies the principles he advocates.
“You can’t tell people how to change if you haven’t changed yourself,” Galvin says. “Except for your age, sex or genes, almost all other risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease are modifiable or preventable.”
He notes that 45% of Alzheimer’s disease risk factors are modifiable.
Different factors can be modified at different stages of life:
• In our early years, a higher education is correlated with a lower risk factor.
• In midlife, modifiable factors include smoking, air pollution, high blood pressure or cholesterol, diabetes and social isolation.
• Later in life, vision or hearing loss can be risk factors.
“There is a cumulative effect of things we can do to mitigate our risk for Alzheimer’s disease,” Galvin says. “Stop smoking, eat healthy and exercise. Cumulatively, setting these intentions can make a big difference in our lives.”
In order to “build a better brain,” Galvin talks about the twin peaks of “risk” and “resilience.”
To decrease risk factors, Galvin suggests watching your weight, staying active, treating diseases such as depression, and reducing vascular risk factors such as cholesterol, blood pressure and blood sugars.
To improve resilience, Galvin recommends:
• Being engaged in lifelong learning,
• Staying physically and cognitively active (he just learned to play mahjong),
• Doing artsy activities, such as reading, listening to music or joining a book club,
• Following the “mind diet,” a Mediterranean-style diet rich in leafy greens, berries and whole grains,
• Staying socially engaged and practicing mindfulness.
“This is an exciting time in Alzheimer’s disease research,” says Galvin. “There’s abundant evidence these lifestyle choices have protective elements.”
He suggests making a resolution to change your lifestyle behaviors and then, like the ad says, “Just do it.”
“We have some control over these risk factors,” he says. “Lifestyle changes can make a significant impact on our health and quality of life.”
His message to his patients and conference-goers is: “It’s never too early and it’s never too late, but it’s better to be too early than to be too late.”
Jan Engoren writes about health and healthy living. Send column ideas to jengoren@hotmail.com.
Learn about Alzheimer’s
What: Educating America Tour: Alzheimer’s & Caregiving Conference
When: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 19 (doors open at 9 a.m. for breakfast, registration and networking)
Where: Boca Raton Marriott at Boca Center, 5150 Town Center Circle, Boca Raton
Cost: Free
Registration: Visit alzfdn.org and look for the link at the top of the home page.
Sponsor: Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA)
About AFA: The AFA is a nonprofit organization that provides support, services and education to individuals, families and caregivers affected by Alzheimer’s and related dementias. It also funds research for treatment and a cure.
Help for Alzheimer’s: If you cannot participate in the conference but have questions about Alzheimer’s disease, connect with licensed social workers seven days a week through AFA’s helpline at 866-232-8484, text 646-586-5283, or chat online at alzfdn.org.
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