You probably don’t think of Alzheimer’s disease as a women’s health issue. But nearly two-thirds of those affected are women.
There isn’t a single cause of Alzheimer’s disease, but contributing factors add up over time, particularly in midlife, which make the brain more susceptible to Alzheimer’s. Shifting hormones and metabolism. Lifestyle choices. The environment around you. Even being a caregiver. Understanding these factors can help you take a proactive approach to protecting your brain health.
At Cleveland Clinic’s Women’s Alzheimer’s Movement Prevention and Research Center, we help translate that understanding into action. As one of the first medical centers in the nation focused on reducing Alzheimer’s disease risk in women, we offer expert, evidence-based care, supportive resources and targeted research. According to recent research, Alzheimer’s disease and dementia cases are expected to double by 2060. Cleveland Clinic is dedicated to helping turn science into action — with personalized care to protect your brain and overall health, today and in the years ahead.
Through the Women’s Alzheimer’s Movement (WAM) Prevention and Research Center — a partnership with WAM at Cleveland Clinic, founded by Maria Shriver — Cleveland Clinic advances research and clinical care focused on lowering Alzheimer’s disease risk in women. Our research team is dedicated to understanding the biological, hormonal, metabolic and lifestyle factors that impact women’s brain health.
Published, peer-reviewed research indicates that up to 45% of global Alzheimer’s disease cases may be preventable through science-based lifestyle changes and risk management. We translate this research into individualized care that addresses the health changes and lifestyle factors common in midlife. Meet our team.
We focus on you. By understanding your modifiable risks, lifestyle and goals, we’ll craft a unique, science-based plan to lower your Alzheimer’s disease risk — with changes you can stick with for years to come.
Cleveland Clinic is a trusted healthcare leader. We’re recognized in the U.S. and throughout the world for our expertise and care.
When we talk about midlife and Alzheimer’s disease risk, we mean women roughly ages 30 to 65 with specific risk factors and who haven’t been diagnosed with a memory disorder such as Alzheimer’s disease or another dementia.
During this stage of life, you’re likely balancing work, caregiving and other responsibilities. It can be hard to prioritize your own health and self-care. You may also experience health changes that can affect not only your body, but also your brain. These include:
Lifestyle and environmental factors also contribute — like smoking, alcohol use and lack of exercise. Your health isn’t shaped by those factors alone. Access to healthcare, education and healthy food also matter.
Alzheimer’s disease isn’t fully preventable. But research increasingly shows that making changes in midlife can lower your risk. Our dedicated team is ready to help.
If you’re between 30 and 65, want to be proactive about your brain health and have one or more of these risk factors, you’ve come to the right place:
Thinking about joining the program? We can help you understand your options and next steps. You’ll need to:
After your first visit, we may be able to schedule the rest of your appointments as virtual visits. If you live in California, New Jersey, Kansas or Alaska, there are a few other considerations.
You can still join the program, but state medical licensing rules require that visits take place in person in Cleveland or Las Vegas — or online while you’re physically outside your home state for a virtual visit. This isn’t a limitation unique to our program. It’s based on how medical care is regulated across state lines.
The appointments in the prevention program are billed in the same way as any medical visit. Your insurance plan will determine what’s covered and if you’ll have any out-of-pocket costs. Each plan’s coverage is different, so you’ll want to contact your insurance provider before beginning the program.
If your insurance doesn’t cover our services, we offer a self-pay option for the services listed below, some of which are available at a discounted rate:
If you have questions about your benefits or need help talking with your insurer, Cleveland Clinic’s financial team can help. You can also review our billing and insurance information.
When you choose Cleveland Clinic for preventive Alzheimer’s disease care, you’ll benefit from our team approach. Not only will you see medical specialists who focus on reducing the risk of cognitive decline and dementia, but you may also work with:
The Women’s Alzheimer’s Movement (WAM) Prevention and Research Center has Cleveland Clinic locations in Las Vegas, Nevada and Cleveland, Ohio. Our patient service specialists can help you select the location that works best for you.
You’ll begin with the core prevention program, consisting of four medical visits over the course of a year. During this time, we’ll keep an eye on your cognitive health, modifiable Alzheimer’s disease risk factors and lifestyle. Together, we’ll create a customized, evidence-based plan to help you lower your long-term risk for cognitive decline, Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia.
Each visit builds on the last to give you clear guidance and support, so you can make meaningful progress toward your goals. After your first visit, you can choose to schedule future appointments virtually or in-person, keeping travel considerations in mind if you live in California, New Jersey, Kansas or Alaska.
To help you stay on track for the program, we prefer that you schedule your first three visits at the time of enrollment. We’ll schedule your final visit as you move through the program.
Before your first appointment, you’ll complete a few questionnaires and a brief cognitive test through MyChart — usually 20 to 30 minutes for the questionnaires and about 20 minutes for the cognitive test. This gives us a starting point for understanding your brain health and Alzheimer’s disease risks.
At your first visit, your medical provider will review your medical history, questionnaire responses and cognitive test results. Your risk factors and lifestyle will also be assessed. Then, your provider will order lab tests, which can be done at one of our labs or another lab of your choice.
Together, this information helps us create your personalized Alzheimer’s disease risk reduction plan.
During your next appointment, your medical provider will go over your lab results and update your plan with targeted recommendations based on the results.
This marks your halfway point. Your medical provider will review your progress and adjust your plan as needed. You may also have additional labs ordered during this visit.
Before your final visit, you’ll complete another set of questionnaires and a cognitive test through MyChart.
At this appointment, your medical provider will:
We’re here to provide the comprehensive care you need. As you move through the program, our team may refer you for complementary care within Cleveland Clinic. Depending on your needs, you may take part in:
Taking charge of your brain health means taking charge of your life. This program gives you expert guidance and structured support tailored to your needs. That way, you can reduce your Alzheimer’s disease risks with sustainable healthy habits that keep your mind and body strong — in midlife and beyond.
The Women’s Alzheimer’s Movement Prevention and Research Center is here to help you get care with Cleveland Clinic’s women’s risk reduction experts.
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