Why Do More Women Get Alzheimer's? What We Know and Don't Know

Almost two-thirds of Americans with Alzheimer's are women. Here's how much of that is explained by women living longer, what researchers are still investigating, and what women can do now.

By Jim Pavlish, Editor · Last updated: October 31, 2026 · Editorial policy

Short answer: almost two-thirds of Americans with Alzheimer's are women, according to the Alzheimer's Association. The main reason is thought to be that women live longer on average, and age is the biggest risk factor. Most U.S. studies have not found a clear difference in risk between women and men of the same age, but researchers are still investigating genes, hormones and life experiences. Healthy habits that lower risk apply to everyone.

If you're a woman who has watched your mother or grandmother live with Alzheimer's, you've probably wondered whether it's coming for you too. The numbers can sound alarming. Here's what they mean.

This page is general information, not medical advice. Talk to your doctor about your own risk.

The numbers

According to the Alzheimer's Association:

Almost two-thirds of Americans living with Alzheimer's are women. Of the estimated 7.4 million Americans age 65 and older with Alzheimer's in 2026, about 4.5 million are women.
A woman's estimated lifetime risk of developing Alzheimer's at age 65 is 1 in 5.
At age 45, the lifetime risk is 1 in 5 for women and 1 in 10 for men.
Women in their 60s are about twice as likely to develop Alzheimer's over the rest of their lives as they are to develop breast cancer.

Why: living longer explains a lot

The Association's 2024 Facts and Figures report explains that women live longer than men on average, and older age is the greatest risk factor for Alzheimer's. That survival difference contributes to the higher number of women with the disease.

The same report says it's not clear that the risk differs between women and men of the same age. Most U.S. studies of new cases have found no meaningful difference between men and women in the proportion who develop Alzheimer's or other dementias.

So part of the reason for the "two-thirds" figure is simple: more women reach the ages when Alzheimer's is most common.

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What researchers are still investigating

Longer life may not be the whole story. The Alzheimer's Association says researchers are now asking whether risk could actually be higher for women at any given age because of biological or genetic differences, or differences in life experiences. Areas of study include:

Survival bias. The Association's 2019 report described a Framingham Heart Study analysis suggesting that because more men die of heart disease in middle age, the men who survive past 65 may be healthier on average, which could make men's dementia risk look lower than women's. More research is needed to confirm this.

Genes. The 2019 report noted that a number of studies have found that APOE-e4, the best-known genetic risk factor for Alzheimer's, may have a stronger association with Alzheimer's in women than in men. See Genetic Testing and APOE4 and Is Dementia Hereditary? What Family History Means for Your Risk.

Hormones and menopause. The Alzheimer's Association says the field needs to focus on sex hormones, including the menopause transition, estrogen levels and hormone therapy. Since 2016 it has committed $11 million to research on Alzheimer's in women. For what's known about memory changes around menopause, see Menopause and Memory.

None of these questions is settled yet.

Women are also most of the caregivers

The Alzheimer's Association reports that:

More than 60% of Alzheimer's and dementia caregivers are women, and more than one-third of dementia caregivers are daughters.
Women caregivers tend to take on more tasks and care for people with more cognitive, functional or behavioral problems.
Nearly 19% of women Alzheimer's caregivers had to quit work, either to become a caregiver or because caregiving became too much.
Women caregivers may experience higher levels of depression and poorer health than male caregivers.

If you're caring for someone, your own health matters too. See Caregiver Stress and Burnout and Respite Care.

What women can do now

There's no proven way to prevent Alzheimer's. But the Alzheimer's Association says research shows people can take action to reduce their risk through a healthy lifestyle: physical exercise, social connection, a healthy diet and keeping mentally active. Our guide to Reducing Dementia Risk: The 14 Risk Factors covers the risk factors with the strongest evidence, including blood pressure, hearing loss and exercise.

Other practical steps:

Know your family history, and share it with your doctor.
Bring up memory concerns early. If you notice changes, don't wait. See 10 Early Warning Signs of Alzheimer's and Dementia and Getting a Diagnosis.
Ask about hormone therapy decisions with your doctor. Whether to use hormone therapy depends on your own health, and it is a decision to make with your doctor.
If you're a caregiver, get support. The Alzheimer's Association's free 24/7 Helpline is 800-272-3900.

Common questions

Why do more women than men get Alzheimer's?

The main reason is thought to be that women live longer, and age is the biggest risk factor, according to the Alzheimer's Association. Researchers are also studying whether genes (such as APOE-e4), hormones and life experiences raise risk for women at any given age.

Are women at higher risk of Alzheimer's at the same age as men?

It's not clear. The Alzheimer's Association's 2024 report says most U.S. studies of new cases have found no meaningful difference between men and women of the same age, though some researchers think risk may be higher for women.

What is a woman's lifetime risk of Alzheimer's?

The Alzheimer's Association estimates a woman's lifetime risk at age 65 is 1 in 5. At age 45, it's 1 in 5 for women and 1 in 10 for men.

Is menopause linked to Alzheimer's?

Researchers don't know yet. The Alzheimer's Association says more research is needed on sex hormones, the menopause transition and hormone therapy. Talk to your doctor about your own situation.

The bottom line

Women make up almost two-thirds of Americans with Alzheimer's, largely because they live longer. Whether women face higher risk at the same age is still being studied. The healthy habits that lower risk apply to everyone, and women, who also do most of the caregiving, deserve support too.

Sources

Not medical advice. This article is general information, not a diagnosis or treatment plan for any individual. Talk with a doctor about your situation.

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We may answer common questions in future updates (we won't share your name). We can't give personal medical advice; for urgent help call the Alzheimer's Association Helpline at 800-272-3900.