Stats: Comorbidities at age 55 tied to 2.4-fold higher dementia risk

Having two or more chronic conditions (i.e., multimorbidity) in middle age is associated with an increased risk of dementia later in life, according to a longitudinal study of more than 10,000 men and women in the UK. Common chronic conditions included high blood pressure, diabetes, coronary heart disease, depression, and chronic lung disease (COPD). Thirteen such conditions were considered in the study. The results show that dementia risk is greater when these sorts of conditions develop at a younger age (mid-50s) rather than later in life. It's a message for senior living's youngest customers, as well as staff.