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September is World Alzheimer’s Month.
Almost two out of three people living with Alzheimer’s disease are women.
We know – it’s a scary statistic. But we share because knowledge is power. And we want you to share this with your friends, your family, and all the women you know, because when we talk about Alzheimer’s disease, we can put the horror behind us and focus on what women can do to reduce the risk of the progressive brain disease.
Over time, Alzheimer’s slowly destroys cognitive abilities such as learning, thinking, attention and memory, eventually leading to the inability to complete simple, everyday tasks. But the key here is over time.
Studies show that being proactive about your brain health can help reduce your risk of Alzheimer’s disease. And knowing the risk factors, signs and symptoms can help you detect Alzheimer’s in its early stages, when most treatment options are available.
Research is currently being carried out into why the disease affects more women than men and what exactly causes Alzheimer’s in the first place. It’s no surprise that there are theories floating around the internet. Hell, you could do that too. However, there is a lot of misinformation about Alzheimer’s disease.
So in honor of World Alzheimer’s Day – and female brains everywhere – we’re debunking some of the most common myths about Alzheimer’s disease with cold, hard facts.
1. “Alzheimer’s and dementia are the same disease.”
That’s a no. Alzheimer’s and dementia are related, but are not the same.
Dementia is an umbrella term for a broad category of symptoms – decline in memory, reasoning and/or other thinking skills – caused by underlying brain disorders.
Alzheimer’s is a brain disease and the most common cause of dementia.
Everyone who lives with Alzheimer’s disease will eventually develop dementia, but not everyone who has dementia also has Alzheimer’s disease.
Take our quiz: True or False: Alzheimer’s Disease >>
2. “Alzheimer’s and memory loss are just part of aging.”
Alzheimer’s disease causes cognitive decline, including memory loss, that seriously affects everyday life – we’re not talking about occasionally forgetting where you put your keys or the name of a TV show.
Alzheimer’s causes brain cell death, which can affect memory, mood, behavior, reasoning and thinking.
Some common symptoms of Alzheimer’s may include:
- Forgetting recently learned information, important dates, events, and other signs of memory loss
- Difficulty following a plan (e.g. a recipe) or using numbers
- Difficulty doing familiar tasks like organizing a shopping list
- Confusion with time (dates, seasons, etc.) or location
- Vision problems that affect balance or cause problems with reading or the ability to judge distances
- New problems speaking or naming familiar objects (referring to a clock as a “hand clock”)
- Placing items in unusual places
- Decreased judgment (e.g., less attention to personal appearance or poor judgment in financial decisions)
- Withdrawing from social gatherings or work
- Mood and personality changes such as confusion, depression, anxiety, distrust or anxiety
Memory and personality changes can occur as we age, but Alzheimer’s is a brain disease. The earlier someone receives a diagnosis, the better their chances of getting the disease under control.
3. “Alzheimer’s disease only affects older adults.”
While most people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s are 65 or older, the disease also affects younger people. In fact, about 200,000 people with Alzheimer’s disease in the United States are under the age of 65.
We now know that brain changes in Alzheimer’s disease can occur 20 years or more before symptoms appear. That’s why it’s important to be proactive about your brain health and talk to your doctor if you have a family history of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.
4. “Alzheimer’s is not diagnosed until later stages.”
The science surrounding Alzheimer’s is advancing rapidly. One notable advance is FDA-approved blood tests that can help rule out or diagnose Alzheimer’s at an earlier stage.
In 2025, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved two blood tests that check for signs of Alzheimer’s, and in 2026 two new tests were approved.
Note: These blood tests alone do not diagnose Alzheimer’s disease – they simply show changes in the brain. Think of them as tools in the toolbox to help doctors make a diagnosis.
Also good to note: The blood tests are recommended for people who show signs of mild cognitive impairment. The tests are not recommended for general preventive examinations. However, if you experience symptoms or are concerned about your risk of Alzheimer’s, talk to your doctor about your options.
Read: New blood tests for Alzheimer’s may help diagnose the disease >>
5. “There are no real drugs to treat Alzheimer’s disease.”
There is currently no cure for Alzheimer’s, but recent advances in treatment options can help people with the disease manage their symptoms and even slow the progression of the disease.
Early-stage treatments include drugs that attach and remove beta-amyloids (proteins that form plaques in the brain that cause cells to die).
Later stage treatments focus more on managing symptoms. These medications include cholinesterase inhibitors to support memory and thinking in people with mild cases. And glutamate regulators help with more serious symptoms like completing everyday tasks.
The way people are treated is also evolving. In July 2026, the FDA approved the first starting dose for home treatment of Alzheimer’s disease – meaning people can start treatment at home without having to travel to a clinic.
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