It’s no surprise that elderly couples that have been together for decades can take on each other’s traits – developing similar political views, taste in food and music, sense of humor and even physical appearance. But a recent study suggests something remarkable – spouses of people with dementia are at substantially increased risk of developing dementia themselves.

No, dementia is not contagious. Rather, researchers say that the stress involved in caring for a person with this condition is huge and stress is a known risk factor for dementia. In addition, people who are stressed are less likely to eat a healthy diet and exercise, both of which are critical to brain health.

The study was presented at the Alzheimer’s Association 2009 International Conference on Alzheimer’s Disease.

Researchers followed more than 1,200 couples for 10 years. They found that wives who cared for husbands with dementia were nearly four times more likely to develop dementia than wives of men who didn’t have the condition. Husband caregivers were almost 12 times more likely to develop dementia than husbands of women who were cognitively healthy.

Why are male caregivers at greater risk of developing dementia than female? Researchers say it’s because elderly men tend to rely on their wives to keep up social ties with relatives and friends. Also, men often fail to go to the doctor without some nudging from their wives, according to the study. This places them at higher risk for high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and other conditions that may raise the risk of dementia.

Researchers offer this advice for adult children of people with dementia:

• Visit frequently and relieve the caregiving parent from his or her duties so he or she can get some rest.
• Make sure the healthy parent gets out and engages in social activities.
• Ensure both parents get to the doctor regularly.

These are good reminders for all senior citizens, not just those caring for someone with dementia.

Adult day care centers are an option for some families caring for a relative with dementia. These facilities offer a respite for caregivers. Most operate during normal business hours Monday-Friday, although some do offer evening and weekend hours. For a complete list of adult day care centers in Florida, visit Florida Senior Living Advisor.