Dementia. Alzheimer’s disease. Cognitive decline. Scary realities our society is struggling with today, both as caregivers and in the scientific and medical communities. Since lifespans are on the rise, so are the incurable diseases associated with aging. One recent study suggested 13.9% of individuals 71 years and older suffer from some form of dementia. As we age, how do we avoid cognitive decline?
Recent studies measuring lifestyle and pharmaceutical effects on dementia-related diseases have found many connections between lifestyle and mental wellbeing. It is suggested that nutrition, exercise, and activity (physical and mental) each may play a role in reducing the risk of Alzheimer’s Disease and dementia. CBS News aired a recent piece on living into old age, and how we can best prepare ourselves to make it.
Meanwhile, our scientific researchers have yet to uncover a cure for dementia. While we may have to wait for that day, the findings along the research path towards curing the diseases have identified specific contributing lifestyle factors that impact our likelihood of acquiring a dementia-related disease:
- Avoidable pitfalls…avoid them! These include smoking, hypertension, high homocysteine levels, type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance, hypercholesterolemia, and obesity.
- Live well. Higher education, physical exercise, and mental exercise are well established as important pro-cognitive attributes and behaviors.
- Eat even better. Dietary measures, such as high intake of fish, fruit, and vegetables suggest a positive role for omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and B group vitamins such as B6, and B12.
- Drink tea. Studies suggest tea intake may protect against cognitive decline in the elderly.
- Exercise every day. Even 15 minutes per day will greatly benefit the individual. Physical exercise may reduce the risk of dementia, and markedly improves lifespan.
- Stimulate the mind. Those who keep active in non-physical ways, whether socializing, playing board games, or attending book clubs, are practicing habits associated with longer life. Studies suggest that persons who are mentally active are at a lower risk of cognitive decline and dementia in old age.
- Have a drink!? But not three. In a landmark study of thousands of members of a retirement community in California, it was surprisingly found that those who drank up to two drinks per day had a 10-15 percent reduced risk of death compared to non-drinkers.
- Don’t sweat a few extra pounds. Being obese at any age is unhealthy. However, older people who are moderately overweight or average weight live longer than people who are underweight.
With interest growing in the field of Alzheimer’s and Dementia research, several leading studies believe that breakthroughs are on the horizon, with dramatic developments in the way doctors will protect cognition and prevent decline. While we wait for our medical and scientific breakthroughs to eradicate the fourth leading cause of death in America, we can prepare more advantageous lifestyles based on the data already connected to a life well lived – eating plenty of fish, consuming daily fruits and vegetables, exercising at least 15 minutes each day, and seeking as much mental stimulation as we can get our hands-on. We’re only given one mind and one body – let’s get up and use them today!
For more information on senior living and health, visit our Woodland Ridge blog today!
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