10 Ways To Reduce the Risk for Dementia

The aging process is a big mystery to many people. The fact is that there are many things you can do to get ready for it, and there is no shortage of knowledge to help you navigate it. Human nature dictates that we fear change. One of the most prevalent worries about becoming older is cognitive change and losing one’s mental faculties. This is frequently referred to as dementia or a particular kind of Alzheimer’s disease.

The good news is that you can keep your body and mind in good shape as you age. You can take steps to maintain and even enhance your physical and mental health. As a result, there are things you can do to maintain your level of engagement and activity as you age.

That is not to minimize dementia as a significant issue that some people face. But it’s crucial to distinguish between facts and myths before making snap judgments.

What Is Dementia?

Both the assumption that dementia is a particular disease and the notion that dementia is a normal aspect of aging is untrue. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it’s actually a generic phrase for the diminished capacity to recall, think, or make judgments that interfere with day-to-day activities (CDC).

The occasional or situational forgetfulness that comes with aging, such as losing keys or having difficulties remembering a name, is not dementia. There are several different kinds of dementia, with Alzheimer’s disease accounting for between 60% and 80% of cases.

Some forms of dementia, including Alzheimer’s, frontotemporal, vascular, and Lewy body, are irreversible. However, several treatable illnesses, such as drug reactions, mental disorders, metabolic and endocrine problems, sensory loss, nutritional or electrolyte imbalances, infections, and other conditions, exhibit dementia-like symptoms.

Symptoms of Dementia

Only a medical examination can determine the exact disease, but if any of the following symptoms persist over time, dementia is probably to blame:

• Getting lost in familiar places, including at home, around the neighborhood, or at the nearby supermarket.
• Calling anything by a name it doesn’t have.
• Not remembering or being able to identify a close relative or friend.
• Accessing ancient memories is impossible, especially important life events.
• Inability to perform simple, previously autonomous actions on one’s own.

Dementia Causes

Age and a family history of dementia both raise the risk for dementia development. Other significant risk factors include race/ethnicity (because Latinos and African Americans are more likely than Whites to get dementia), poor heart health (particularly untreated high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and smoking), and poor mental health.

Dementia risk can also be increased by traumatic brain injuries, such as that sustained in a car accident, a fall, or an athletic contest. Wearing a seat belt while driving or riding in a car, as well as wearing a helmet when participating in contact sports or riding a bike, may not be cool, but they could very well save your life and prolong the quality of your latter years.

10 Tips for Reducing the Risk of Developing Dementia

By managing your health and daily behaviors, you can lower some dementia risk factors. Here are 10 steps you may take to lower your chances of developing dementia:

1. Regular exercise has been demonstrated to slow cognitive deterioration, especially cardiovascular exercises that raise heart rate and blood flow. Even gardening counts, as do jogging, swimming, dancing, and trekking. Simply put, maintaining an active lifestyle is healthier for your health in general.
2. Reading, taking classes, playing games, and other forms of mental activity keep the mind active and may prevent dementia.
3. Maintaining social connections with friends, family, coworkers, or other people. Although face-to-face contact is ideal in this pandemic period, any interaction with the people you care about is preferable to none. Many elders continue to work well after the typical retirement age, and many retirees volunteer to keep active.
4. It can be calming and uplifting to have a friend, even a pet. Additionally, exercising while walking your dog is a great idea!
5. Giving up tobacco use. It’s harmful to your heart health and harmful to your brain to do anything that narrows your blood vessels so that your heart and lungs have to work harder.
6. Sleeping sufficient amounts. Memory thought, and mood difficulties are all associated with sleep problems. A sound mind free of the mental fog that comes with sleep problems is the result of getting enough deep sleep.
7. Treating depression, anxiety, and other mental problems before they impair your capacity to manage everyday activities.
8. Keeping clear vision. According to recent studies, dementia is more common among elderly people with untreated eyesight issues.
9. Finding practical methods to control stress, get rid of it, and maintain acceptable blood pressure. You can relax by doing things like exercise, tai chi, yoga, meditation, listening to music, and communing with nature.
10. Taking measures to prevent falls that could cause head injuries. This might start with consistent exercise to increase strength and balance and lower your chance of falling. Stow away cords, shoes, throw rugs, and other items that could cause tripping hazards at home. Maintain a clutter-free and open staircase. Before entering a room that is dark, turn on the lights, and brighten any indoor or outdoor spaces that require additional lighting.