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Dementia

How to Prevent Dementia

John Trevey on Oct 9, 2022
Dementia: How To Prevent It
Table of Contents
  1. How to prevent dementia
  2. What can I do to reduce my risk of dementia?
  3. Preventing dementia through interventions
    • Preventing dementia through other lifestyle choices

How to prevent dementia

Everybody wants to know the secret pill, the magical bullet, or the precise formula to prevent certain diseases. The risks of cancer, heart disease, and Alzheimer’s are well known. Perhaps you have even experienced them. Their pain and difficulty are well understood. So, naturally, we want to know how to prevent them and how our families can prevent them.

During the last few years, there has been a significant increase in research on Alzheimer’s disease and dementia prevention. In contrast to the past, researchers are now dedicating more time to studying if and how dementia can be prevented rather than simply studying the disease itself.

It has been shown that specific interventions can lower your risk of dementia or Alzheimer’s, although they haven’t discovered a magic bullet, secret pill, or formula.

What can I do to reduce my risk of dementia?

Dementia is a term that must first be understood. Rather than a disease in itself, dementia refers to a group of symptoms associated with neurodegeneration, which is the degeneration of brain cells.

There are several symptoms associated with dementia, including memory loss, difficulty reasoning, behavioral changes, and changes in thinking skills.

Finding Alzheimer's Disease Before Symptoms Appear - Bader House of Georgetown - Georgetown, Texas

As we age, dementia is more likely to develop, but it is not part of aging itself.

Several conditions are associated with dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease, the most common and, therefore, the focus of most preventative research.

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) assembled a committee in 2017 to review the most recent research and data regarding dementia and cognitive decline to determine what could be done to prevent cognitive decline, cognitive impairment, and clinical Alzheimer’s type dementia.

According to the researchers, the results are encouraging but inconclusive, suggesting that interventions could reduce dementia risks. Nevertheless, they could not identify any interventions that would guarantee dementia prevention.

Preventing dementia through interventions

Three interventions show the most promise for reducing your dementia risk, according to NASEM.

1. Engage in physical activity

How to prevent dementia

Exercise has been linked to a reduced risk of dementia, which we’ve discussed before.

Exercise increases blood flow to the brain and increases brain-protecting chemicals. In addition, exercise helps boost the production of BDNF, a protein that promotes the growth of new neurons in the brain. The hippocampus, an area of the brain associated with memory, significantly benefits from this.

A weekly exercise regimen of 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity is recommended. It can be walking, jogging, gardening, yoga – whatever you enjoy and can consistently do. The benefits of exercise do not necessarily require you to join a gym or do intensive strength training. For example, you can improve your physical and mental health by doing just a little more than what you usually do – walking to the coffee shop rather than driving – by taking the stairs rather than the elevator.

2. Exercises that enhance cognitive function

Dementia: How to Prevent It

We have learned that there are exercises for cognitive training that challenge your problem-solving skills, memory, and processing speed.

However, exercises such as these do not involve computer-based brain games, which are not linked to a reduced risk of cognitive decline.

In addition, exercises of this nature are more complex and in-depth, requiring medical supervision in many cases.

3. The management of high blood pressure

Dementia: How to Prevent It

It has been shown that lowering blood pressure in midlife can assist in preventing dementia later in life. However, due to restricted blood flow to the brain, high blood pressure can adversely affect the brain and heart and may lead to vascular dementia, the second most common type of dementia.

The three most effective ways to manage high blood pressure are medication, diet, and exercise (we’ll talk more about diet and exercise below. ), but early intervention is the key. You could already have damaged your brain if you wait until you’re older to begin controlling your blood pressure.

Preventing dementia through other lifestyle choices

1. Eating a balanced and healthy diet

Eating a balanced and healthy diet - Dementia

Researchers are still analyzing the relationship between diet and dementia. However, a healthy diet, such as the Mediterranean diet, which emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, fish, and healthy fats, may result in a healthier brain. The Mediterranean-Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay (MIND) diet, for example, focuses on plant-based foods and has been shown to lower blood pressure, which increases Alzheimer’s risk.

A healthy diet is directly linked to factors that can increase your risk of Alzheimer’s, such as diabetes, obesity, and heart disease, so the more robust connection between diet and dementia may be that healthy eating helps prevent diseases that can later lead to severe cognitive decline.

2. Ensuring you get enough sleep

How to prevent dementia

The importance of sleep hygiene for the body and mind and getting enough sleep cannot be overstated. It is, therefore, detrimental to your health to not get enough sleep. Consequently, getting at least seven to eight hours of sleep every night is crucial.

Consult your doctor if you’re having trouble sleeping. Another health condition could also cause the loss of sleep.

3. Maintaining your mental health

Depression - Dementia

There is a link between depression and Alzheimer’s. It is unclear whether depression can lead to Alzheimer’s, but researchers have speculated that some people might be more likely to develop this disease if they experience depression. It may be possible to prevent dementia with early intervention and treatment for depression and other mood disorders, but more research is needed to determine whether this is true.

4. Stop smoking

Smoking and Dementia

Using tobacco makes you more likely to suffer strokes, heart attacks, and lung cancer. In addition, you can reduce your risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease by quitting smoking at any age.

Even though there are no guaranteed methods to prevent dementia, recent research suggests several lifestyle changes you can easily make to reduce your risk.

5. Being socially active

How to prevent dementia

Studies have linked loneliness and isolation with an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease. However, you can improve your mental health and prevent severe cognitive decline by staying connected to your friends, family, or community.

By clicking here, you can find out more about dementia prevention research by reading the full report from the NASEM.

< PREVIOUS What is Vascular Dementia?
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Covid Information

Continuing an Environment of Caring in Times of COVID-19


Safety of Residents and Staff

As the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic continues to evolve, our communities are focused on keeping our Residents and staff safe while also maintaining Resident engagement and daily fulfillment. We are taking a cautious approach, balancing the highest level of safety within the least restrictive environment.

We will continue to follow and augment State and C.D.C. safety recommendations:

Screening: We screen every employee every day. We require our staff to complete a questionnaire (inquiring about possible symptoms, recent travel and exposure), have their temperature and oxygen level checked before entering the building. Staff are also required to clean their cell phones, keys and wash their hands while being observed. We monitor our Residents’ health closely with temperature and oxygen level checks at least twice a day. We help our Residents wash their hands throughout the day and encourage them to wear a mask or face covering.

Cleaning: We have enhanced our cleaning products with regard for their effectiveness in killing COVID-19 particles and proper sanitization and disinfection, using the EPA’s specific list of disinfectants for use against the coronavirus. We are using this list and training staff on how long cleaning solutions must be kept on a surface before wiping it off to ensure its effectiveness. We prioritize cleaning high-touch areas and horizontal surfaces, cleaning them several times a day.

Physical Distancing: We encourage 6 foot distancing between Residents and with staff unless they are providing direct care to a Resident.

Testing: We test all Residents and staff for COVID-19 every three weeks, and more as needed. Our nurses utilize a PCR test, which we send to a private lab to expedite results.

Physical Changes: We have installed ultraviolet lights in our air conditioners that supply air to the common areas of the houses. This method is believed to be helpful in killing bacteria that is cycled through the systems and pushed back into the house. We’ve also enhanced our HVAC filters to near HEPA levels, trying to add additional layers of protection to keep COVID-19 out of the building. Most importantly, air purifiers have been added to common areas and each resident room.

PPE: Staff members wear masks at all times and we encourage Residents to wear masks when outside their rooms. We also encourage physical distancing between our Residents. Staff wears additional protective equipment when deemed necessary while caring for our Residents. Staff are continually trained on when and how to use personal protective equipment (PPE).

Individual Needs Stay Paramount

The uncertainty surrounding COVID-19 affects us all. At our communities, we are not letting it stop us from safely offering a life well-lived. Above all, we are providing the utmost attention to the safety and well-being of our Residents. Our Program has always revolved around the individualized needs of each Resident and this has not changed during COVID-19. Residents are still able to connect with each other and staff while maintaining a safe physical distance. Weather permitting, we enjoy the patio and large backyard. We continue to keep our Residents engaged through cognitive, physical, recreational experiences. We offer enjoyment and connection throughout the day even during these unprecedented times.

Visitors

Since early March we have restricted facility access to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Essential Visitors: Healthcare providers including physicians, home health, private duty services, physical therapy and hospice staff have not been allowed in the communities unless there is an acute, essential need for our Residents. These services continue as needed through FaceTime, tele-med and phone conversations. If physical access is absolutely necessary, the individual will complete our questionnaire and screening for temperature and oxygen stats. No one is allowed in the community if they fail to meet our screening criteria.

Families: We are happy to help schedule window visits, FaceTime, Zoom and phone calls with your loved ones based on what is allowed and prudent. To ensure the proper support from our staff, our visits are scheduled ahead of time.

Tours and Move-Ins

Tours: We recognize that regardless of the changes with COVID-19, your need for senior living hasn’t changed. For the safety of you, our Residents and staff, we are currently offering virtual tours where you can see our community, as well as meet our staff. Please contact our Community Relations Director to set up a virtual tour.

Move-Ins: We are accepting a limited number of move-ins (unless otherwise instructed by public health department). New Residents must be tested for COVID-19 prior to move-in. Upon admission, we will place a new resident in their room to quarantine as an additional precaution.

We will share community-specific information with residents and families as our quarantine measures continue to evolve with new information of COVID-19.

We are honored to care for your family member and loved one.

 

Comments we’ve received from our families during COVID-19.

“We appreciate all of your efforts. Your team clearly is a leader in the response to COVID. Thank you for keeping our loved ones safe.”

Joseph

“Thank you, thank you, thank you for ALL you have done and are doing to keep the residents and staff in a safe environment! The continuous learning and improvements empower caregivers and families to do better at home and in our communities.”

Tommy

“I appreciate you taking the time to update us and share them with my family living in AL, GA, VA, MD, FL…we are extremely grateful and comforted by your proactive and decisive measures! We’ll continue to keep you in prayer for health, safety and more.”

Rebecca

“In keeping with the parade theme you had, the employees there are super heroes. They are plowing forward in the midst of this horrible virus and taking care of their patients selflessly. I just wanted to acknowledge their bravery and dedication and thank them from the bottom of my heart for the goodness in their hearts and their dedication to their patients and jobs.”

Abigail

“Thank you! You locked down early & your diligence has paid well.

The Bader support group continues meeting once a month by Zoom. We all appreciate you so much. Everyone comments on how grateful we are that our parents are at Bader House!

We appreciate everything: sending us pictures, calls, alerts to bring supplies/clothes as needed, staying in virtual contact with hospice.
Blessings to each of you.”

Marsha

“Thank you for all y’all and all the staff are doing for my mom and the other residents. We truly appreciate your hard work.”

Carol

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