Stay Active Against Dementia
Dementia is quite brutal for all involved. Watching a family member deteriorate, caring for a parent, experiencing early signs, fearing the onset in your own future and so on. There are so many things to cover when addressing the topic of dementia, but today, as is my theme, I want to focus on prevention.
One reason I love emphasizing prevention is because it allows you to take action in advance. Dementia can be such an overwhelming disease process to face, and because there is a genetic component, it can leave one feeling hopeless and fearful. But knowing there is something proactive that can be done is very empowering. And it’s just that - activity - which is the mainstay of prevention for dementia. When considering dementia, it’s important be active: physically, mentally, and socially.
Here again are more benefits of exercise and physical activity. While studies have not proven that exercise improves cognitive function, many observational studies have seen that the higher one’s physical activity is, the lower one’s risk of dementia becomes. It might not be that there is a direct correlation between exercise and lower rates of dementia, but more that exercise reduces those health conditions which lead to dementia. One type of dementia, vascular dementia, is caused by damage to the blood vessels that supply the brain. This damage is a result of things like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and high blood sugar. But it’s not just vascular dementia cases that are reduced with controlling risk factors. Reducing risk factors for dementia by 10-25 percent could prevent up to half of all diagnoses of Alzheimer’s disease! So by focusing on lifestyle interventions - diet, exercise and more - you will not only help to control health conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes, but you will also be reducing your risk of having a heart attack, a stroke, or developing dementia.
Staying mentally active is very important, particularly for older adults. It’s important in retirement to find ways to stay mentally challenged. Consider taking a class at the community college, or getting involved with a volunteer organization. Avoid falling into a trap of watching day time TV - higher rates of TV watching are actually associated with higher rates of dementia. Instead, work on a puzzle, read a book, and do the daily New York Times games (why does my husband always beat me at Connections? Why?!?).
Social isolation is another huge risk factor for dementia. Some of my suggestions for staying mentally active will help address this as well! We are fortunate to live in a very active community here in Harford County. There are lots of opportunities to be social, join an interest group, volunteer, and stay busy. The senior center is a great place to check off many of these boxes - there is a fitness center, exercise and dance classes, and fun DIY projects, all for free!
If you have concerns about dementia, either because of family history, becoming forgetful, knowing you have risk factors etc, then take action now! At Slack Family Practice, I can work with you directly to identify risk factors and create a plan to keep you healthy. So start today!
