Improved
6112 HealthChanged
3786 LivesSaved
3568 Lives0 lives impacted in the last 24 hrs Learn More
7 Easy Lifestyle Tips to Prevent Dementia
1 Comments
Continue Working
Foregoing early retirement and working longer may ward off the debilitating effects of dementia. Research conducted at the Institute of Psychiatry at King’s College London discovered an association between dementia and retirement. For each additional year of employment, there was about a six week later onset of Alzheimer’s disease. One suggestion allows older workers the ability to gradually reduce both their weekly and yearly number of hours on the job. Photo: Getty Images
Use It or Lose It
The philosophy of use it or lose it has diverged from the sphere of physical fitness to mental health fitness. Experts stress the importance of brain fitness. Dr. Gene Cohen, director of the Center for Aging, Health and Humanities at George Washington University, says that every time you challenge your brain, you will actually modify your brain and can form new brain cells. There are now numerous Internet sites and games devoted to brain fitness. Photo: Getty Images
Eat More Fish
Among the elderly, a diet high in fish is associated with better cognitive performance. Through the years, researchers have taken a closer look at the influence of diet on mental impairment and dementia. The omega-3 fatty acids could play an important role in maintaining cognitive function in aging individuals. Fatty fish such as salmon, sardines and anchovies, are good sources of omega-3 fatty acids. Photo: Getty Images
Keep Active
Robert Friedland, M.D., a neurologist at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in Cleveland, Ohio, studied the association between mental, physical and social activities in adults and the incidence of dementia. From this small study of healthy adults and adults with possible Alzheimer’s disease, he found that engaging in a broad variety of activities during adulthood keeps the brain healthy and appears to protect against dementia. Photo: Getty Images
Turn the TV Off & Exercise
Dr. Friedland notes, “TV represents an activity which is often not intellectual, and is not physical except when changing the channels.” Moderate physical activity, like a daily, leisurely 30 minute walk, may reduce vascular dementia among the elderly. Vascular dementia is associated with decreased blood flow to the brain and is the second most common variation of memory loss. Photo: Getty Images
Eat a Mediterranean Diet
Following a Mediterranean diet benefits your heart and your brain. Eating a diet rich in whole grains, unsaturated fats, fruits and vegetables, but low in dairy products and red meat may help lower the risk for brain infarcts. Brain infarcts are small areas of dead tissue that result when blood flow to the brain is slowed or completely blocked by a clot. This type of small stroke can go unnoticed except when detected by a MRI scan. Photo: Getty Images
Add a Comment1 Comments
Though I don't believe in labeling people, there is a need to teach others how to handle brain disfunction, impaired abilities due to aging. This article is a very good summarization to serve as guidance. There are social implications not mentioned here, but the ideas expressed by the author, at the very least, serve as a good foundation to generate purposeful dialogue among families and in open public forums.
April 7, 2015 - 1:10amThis Comment