Reducing the Risk of Dementia: A Webinar Review (Part I)

By Catherine Bryson

Happy Nowruz, to those of you that celebrate!

Last week, I wrote about diversity. This week, I am writing about dementia. (Even the word alone sounds rather frightening, doesn’t it?) The truth is, my father suffered from it, and so did my paternal grandmother.

Despite the devastating aspects of dementia, I nonetheless observed that some dementia sufferers maintain a very small bit of lucidity throughout (I suppose this observation is similar to ‘Still Alice’.) I don’t think the experts have written about that. Maybe they should. I also found the same phenomenon in those who have mental health conditions: a method, within the madness, like a hidden gem or pearl.

Nevertheless, dementia is a serious issue the world faces today. Did you know that there are 55 million people worldwide currently living with dementia? True, sadly true. And the number is expected to grow to 139 million by 2050.

However, on the brighter side, (remember the Monty Python tune ‘Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life?’), it is also true that 40% of dementia cases could be prevented or delayed by addressing modifiable risk factors. Imagine… almost half! Just so you know, here are the risk factors:

  • Age
  • Genetics
  • A family history of AD (Alzheimer’s Disease. Note: ‘Dementia’ is the umbrella term for specific types of neurodegenerative diseases such as AD, among others.)

And here are the modifiable risk factors:

  • Diabetes prevention (in other words, go easy on the Easter chocolate!)
  • Cardiovascular health (in other words, take the stairs)
  • Hearing loss (get your hearing tested, in some centres, it’s free)
  • Obesity control (maybe not that third slice of pizza)
  • Stress (ah, stress. Seems so ubiquitous in this century of madness)
  • Isolation (do you live alone? 15 % of Canadians do. Consider eating a meal with others, even if virtual)

And now, the 6 key areas of brain health:

  1. Exercise
  2. Eat right (a Mediterranean diet is often recommended. Interestingly, the same is true for dogs. Diet plays a major role in their longevity and brain health. Dogs get dementia too, sadly.)
  3. Sleep and Relaxation (alas, sleep can be so elusive!)
  4. Pets (Need I say more?)
  5. Social connection (In other words, tea & sympathy. But as far as social connection, the experts agree that quality is more important than quantity)
  6. Coffee (Yes, coffee can reduce the risk of dementia. And it helps improve memory. So don’t cut out your morning cup of java)
  7. Caregiving Stress (May I suggest you take the NSCR free course: Powerful Tools for Caregivers, when it is offered? I learned all about Action Plans, which was very helpful. I also got a free book.)

Note: Most of the above material was taken from a free webinar I attended called: ‘Maintain Your Brain: Reducing the Risk of Dementia’ presented by Jenny Munro, Gerontologist, and Lakelynn Eichenberger, Gerontologist and Caregiver Advocate, sponsored by the American Society on Aging.

I hope you have a happy Easter long weekend. I’ll see you again in April with Part II (Warning Signs of Dementia) and the Tiny Dancer Activity (Surprise!) and of course cherry blossom photos. The cherry trees on my street are spectacular!

CAB 2024

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