The Women's Alzheimer's Movement - WAM

09/21/2026

Today is World Alzheimer’s Day. A day to come together, speak out and take action.

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia, affecting more than 55 million people around the world and nearly two-thirds of them are women. But that’s not where the gender gap ends.

Women are not only more likely to be diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, they’re also far more likely to be the caregivers. Daughters. Wives. Sisters. Friends. So often, it’s women who carry the emotional, physical and financial burden of this disease on their shoulders.

At the Women’s Alzheimer’s Movement at Cleveland Clinic, we believe in a different future. One where research includes women, where prevention is prioritized and where brain health is treated like the essential part of women’s health that it is.

09/20/2026

You need your brain to function — and your brain needs you to function at its best.

The daily decisions you make can have an enormous impact on brain health and protect against dementia and cognitive decline. “You can influence this,” says psychiatrist Dylan Wint, MD.

Here’s how to do it:
1. Get moving
When it comes to physical activity, what’s good for your body is also good for your brain.

2. Seek out mental challenges
The phrase “use it or lose it” applies to mental muscle.

3. Eat smartly
Food is fuel for your mind, and better fuel brings better results.

4. Be social
Friends and an active social life can help you maintain your upstairs function as you age.

5. Get enough sleep
Your brain doesn’t shut down while you sleep. In fact, in some ways it’s busier than during the day.

6. Take control of your health
Chronic health conditions aren’t just tough on your body. They can also be a drain on your brain.

Making healthy decisions based on the Six Pillars of Brain Health can protect against dementia or other cognitive declines. “While there’s no absolute 100% way to prevent degenerative brain disease, you can substantially reduce your risk with lifestyle habits,” encourages Dr. Wint.

09/15/2026

09/14/2026

Alzheimer’s disease doesn’t just steal memories. It changes everything.

While memory loss is the most well-known symptom, it is only one part of a much larger picture. Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive brain disease that affects thinking, reasoning, behavior, personality and the ability to manage daily tasks. It touches every part of how a person lives, communicates and connects with others.

People with Alzheimer’s disease may experience confusion, difficulty with language, mood changes, withdrawal from social activities and poor judgment. These symptoms are often misunderstood, especially in women, who represent nearly two-thirds of those diagnosed with the disease.

At WAM, we are working to change how Alzheimer’s disease is seen and studied. We are leading research that looks at how the disease affects women differently, both biologically and socially. Understanding these differences is important for finding better ways to prevent, diagnose, and treat Alzheimer’s disease.

If you or someone you love is facing this disease, know that you are not alone. Your experience matters and help is available.

-Let’s raise awareness about the full impact of Alzheimer’s disease.
-Let’s support research that reflects the unique challenges women face.
-Let’s work toward a future with better answers and more hope.

09/12/2026

Mild cognitive impairment happens when you experience a slight — but noticeable — decline in mental abilities compared to others your age. Mental abilities include:

-Memory.
-Reasoning and judgment.
-Planning and completing complex tasks.

You may notice the decline in your abilities, or a loved one might. But the changes aren’t severe enough to interfere with daily, routine activities of life.

Some people with MCI eventually develop dementia, but others don’t. For certain neurodegenerative conditions, MCI can be an early stage of the condition. Neurodegenerative conditions affect your brain and get worse over time. Some people with MCI return to normal cognition for their age or remain stable.

The American Academy of Neurology estimates that mild cognitive impairment is present in the following populations:

8% of people aged 65 to 69.
15% of people aged 75 to 79.
25% of people aged 80 to 84.
37% of people 85 or older.

The main sign of mild cognitive impairment is a slight decline in mental abilities. Examples include:

-Memory loss: You may forget recent events or repeat the same questions and stories.
-Language issues: You may have difficulty coming up with the right words.
-Attention: You may lose focus or get distracted more easily than you used to.
-Reasoning and judgment: You may have difficulty problem-solving and making decisions.
-Complex planning: It may be more difficult to plan and/or complete complex tasks, like paying bills, taking medications, shopping, cooking, household cleaning and driving.

Not all cases of MCI are preventable. But there are steps you can take to try to keep your brain healthy and reduce your risk, including:

-Avoiding or quitting smoking.
-Avoiding alcohol or only drinking it in moderation.
-Eating a healthy, balanced diet.
-Exercising regularly.
-Maintaining healthy blood pressure, cholesterol levels and blood sugar levels.
-Minimizing and managing stress.
-Getting quality sleep.
-Exercising your brain by doing puzzles, reading, learning new skills and similar activities.
-Engaging in social activities.
-Seeing your healthcare provider regularly to manage any chronic conditions you have.

09/09/2026

Fear can leave us feeling powerless. Taking action can help us move forward.

Maria Shriver founded the Women’s Alzheimer’s Movement to change the way we talk about Alzheimer’s disease and put women at the center of the conversation.

Today, the Women’s Alzheimer’s Movement at Cleveland Clinic is building on that work by raising awareness of women’s increased risk for Alzheimer’s disease and other neurological diseases, sharing ways to support brain health and funding research focused on women.

Because knowledge can empower us. Research can move us forward. Getting involved can make a difference.

Learn more about our work and how you can get involved at thewomensalzheimersmovement.org.

09/08/2026

Hypertension, diabetes, obesity, depression, head trauma, high cholesterol, and smoking all increase the risk of dementia. You can control and reduce these risks:

Hypertension:
Follow a healthy eating plan.
Cut down on sodium.
Keep a healthy weight.
Keep active.
Drink alcohol in moderation.

Diabetes:
Eat a healthy diet, such as the Mediterranean diet.
Get physically active. Aim for 30 minutes a day at least five days a week.
Work to achieve a weight that’s healthy for you.
Manage your stress.
Limit alcohol intake.
Get adequate sleep (typically 7 to 9 hours) and seek treatment for sleep disorders.
Quit smoking.
Take medications as directed by your healthcare provider to manage existing risk factors for heart disease.

Obesity:
Make a small sacrifice. Do you have a daily snack habit or “pick-me-up,” such as a sugary drink, that is high in calories? Consider replacing it.
Add a small activity. For example, go for a hike or use an elliptical machine for 25 minutes, or take the dog for a brisk walk for 35 minutes.
Shop intentionally. Stock your home with healthy foods and save sweets and treats for special occasions. Whole foods are higher in fiber and lower on the glycemic index, so they don’t cause your blood sugar to spike and drop.
Cultivate overall wellness. Reduce your screen time, go outside and go for a walk. Manage your stress and try to get adequate sleep to keep your hormone levels in check.

Depression:
You can’t always prevent depression, but you can help reduce your risk by:

Maintaining a healthy sleep routine.
Managing stress with healthy coping mechanisms.
Practicing regular self-care activities such as exercise, meditation and yoga.
If you’ve had depression before, you may be more likely to experience it again. If you have depression symptoms, get help as soon as possible.

High cholesterol:
Stop smoking.
Stay active instead of sitting too much.
Keep your stress level down.
Get the right amount of sleep.
Eat healthy foods.
Cut back on eating fatty meats.
Don’t buy snacks that have “trans fat” on the label.
Stay at a healthy weight.

09/07/2026

According to a psychologist, building and maintaining friendship is an important pillar of our health. Sure, there’s water, food and shelter, but relationships and companionship come in pretty close after that.

And friendship offers some impressive health benefits, like low blood pressure, less stress, less risk of obesity, lower levels of depression and it can even prolong your life span and lower your risk for certain dementias.

But where and how do you actually make new friends as an adult?

-Shared interest is huge. You bond with people who like the same things as you or who are going through similar things. If you like biking, find a biking group. If you like running, find a running buddy. Join a book club, go to a musician group, get involved with church or attend a mom meet-up.

-Don’t be too aggressive. When you’re 6-years-old everyone is a potential friend. Then you grow up and start to see that not everyone has your best interest at heart. People can get suspicious if you come off too strong when you first meet. Instead, try easing into the friendship and making sure you’re both comfortable.

-Be an exceptional listener and show interest. Most people feel awkward when they meet someone for the first time, but if you’re a good listener and ask the right questions, feeling uncomfortable is unnecessary.

-Celebrate. When you first meet someone, inquire about something good that happened to them.

-Consider location. Friendship can take time to develop, but the more often you see someone or hang out, the quicker the relationship tends to form.

-Evaluate your circle. You’re going to have varying levels of closeness in your circle. Active check-ins depend on the nature of the person and the friendship you have with them.

-Explore old friendships. If you’re at the point in your life where you’re actively looking for friendship, one of the best ways to connect with someone is through old friendship.

Overtime you’ll start to build confidence by putting yourself out there. As you get more comfortable using these strategies, start to use it in areas you are more frequently.

09/07/2026

Women face unique risk factors when it comes to Alzheimer’s disease, including genes we can’t change (like APOE‑4) and life phases like menopause. But the fight’s not over. Research shows that while genetics and family history matter, up to 40‑45% of Alzheimer’s disease cases may be preventable through lifestyle changes.

Here’s what we can influence:
• Stay active — regular movement helps your brain build vital neural chemistry.

• Prioritize heart‑healthy habits — manage blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar through diet and exercise.

• Embrace lifelong learning — challenge your mind through education, reading, games or new skills to build “cognitive reserve”.

• Nourish your brain — follow diets like Mediterranean, DASH or MIND that support cognitive health.

• Stay socially connected — meaningful interactions keep your brain firing and protect against stress and isolation.

• Get ahead of risks — treat hearing or vision loss promptly, protect your head, use memory tools and stop smoking.

You can’t choose your genes. You can choose how you live. That’s powerful. Let’s lean into prevention, not fear. Every intentional choice, big or small, adds up.

09/04/2026

Caffeine and cognitive health: Is there a connection?

Your morning coffee does more than wake you up. Caffeine is a stimulant that can boost alertness, attention and reaction time. It works by blocking adenosine, a chemical in the brain that makes you feel tired.

Some research suggests that moderate caffeine intake may be linked to a lower risk of cognitive decline. Coffee and tea also contain antioxidants, which help protect cells from damage. That may play a role in long-term brain health.

But more is not better. Too much caffeine can raise anxiety, disrupt sleep and increase heart rate. Poor sleep, in turn, can affect memory and thinking over time.

For women, who are at higher risk for Alzheimer’s disease, daily habits matter. A balanced approach is key. If you drink caffeine, keep it moderate and avoid it late in the day to protect your sleep.

Small choices add up.