Indoor Air Quality vs Alzheimer’s – World Alzheimer’s Month
Introduction
Each September, World Alzheimer’s Month reminds us to raise awareness, challenge stigma, and improve care for those living with Alzheimer’s and Dementia. When we think about Alzheimer’s prevention and support, topics like early diagnosis, diet, exercise, and social connection often come to mind. But there is another, often overlooked, factor that plays a critical role in both physical and cognitive health: indoor air quality (IAQ).
In senior living, where residents spend the majority of their time indoors, the quality of the air they breathe can have a profound impact on their wellbeing. Clean air is not just about preventing respiratory illness — it is about protecting brain health, supporting emotional stability, and improving quality of life.
Why Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Matters in Senior Living
Indoor Air Quality is about how clean and healthy the air is inside a building. It involves ventilation, pollutant levels, humidity, carbon dioxide, and tiny airborne particles. For older adults, these factors matter even more because:
- Ageing bodies are more vulnerable. The immune system weakens with age, making seniors more susceptible to infections and complications triggered by pollutants.
- Pre-existing conditions are common. Many residents live with asthma, COPD, or heart disease, all of which can be aggravated by poor IAQ.
- Seniors spend more time indoors. This increases their cumulative exposure to indoor pollutants compared to younger populations.
The link between IAQ and Cognitive Health
A growing body of scientific research suggests that air quality doesn’t just affect physical health – it also influences the brain. Long-term exposure to pollutants such as fine particulate matter (PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) has been linked to:
- Faster cognitive decline in older adults
- Increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease
- Worsening of symptoms in people already living with dementia
Poor IAQ can also cause short-term effects that mimic or intensify dementia symptoms, such as confusion, fatigue, headaches, and irritability.
Emotional & Mental Health Benefits of Clean Air
The benefits of clean indoor air go beyond simply protecting the brain. The residents also experience:
- Reduced anxiety and depression symptoms, creating a calmer emotional state
- Better sleep quality, for memory consolidation and mood regulation
- Improved overall well-being, contributing to quality and dignity of life
In short, good IAQ supports not only the body and mind, but also the emotional comfort of residents — a cornerstone of compassionate Dementia and Alzheimer’s care.
World Alzheimer’s Month – A Time to Act
This year’s Alzheimer’s Awareness Month is an opportunity to highlight not only medical but also environmental factors that influence Alzheimer’s. By making IAQ a priority, senior living managers, staff, and families can help slow decline, ease symptoms, and improve daily life for residents.
At Rensair, we are committed to helping healthcare REITs and senior care providers achieve clean, healthy indoor environments. For senior living operators and owners, our solutions deliver more than safer air — they also reduce HVAC energy costs by up to 40%, generate measurable savings on utility bills, and enhance operational resilience during climate events. With no building works required and rapid deployment in as little as six weeks.
Rensair technology scales seamlessly across portfolios, offering both sustainability and financial returns. That’s why leading healthcare REITs such as Sonida Senior Living and Welltower trust Rensair to protect residents and staff while creating cleaner, more comfortable, and more cost-efficient environments.
This September, let’s honour World Alzheimer’s Month by taking a fresh look at the air we breathe. Improving IAQ is a simple, practical, and powerful step toward supporting seniors in living with dignity, comfort, and clarity. Talk to us now!