Learn 5 ways to reduce the risk of dementia this World Alzheimer’s Month
Every September, for World Alzheimer’s Month, people across the globe come together to raise awareness about dementia and its impact on people living with it and their families.
This year, the theme for World Alzheimer’s Month is ‘never too young, never too old’, with a focus on recognising risk factors and adopting proactive risk reduction measures to delay, and potentially even prevent, the onset of dementia.
As we strive to better understand the implications of dementia, it is important to recognise the proactive steps we can take to reduce the risk of dementia. At Weald Hall care home, we are dedicated to promoting cognitive well-being among our residents and the community at large.
You can make a few, simple changes in your lifestyle to reduce risk of dementia, let’s explore a few together.
Engaging in regular physical activity:
Exercise has great benefits not just for your body but also for your mind. Engaging in regular physical activity increases blood flow to the brain and also enhances cognitive function.
At Weald Hall, we prioritise exercise through indoor and outdoor activities such as walking, dancing sessions, yoga, and more. These simple exercises have a positive impact on memory, attention, and overall brain health.
Making changes to your diet:
Nutrition plays an important role in maintaining cognitive function. Having a balanced diet with whole foods and the required nutrients will ensure that you stay healthy and may also reduce risk of various health conditions, including dementia. At Weald Hall, we make sure that our residents have access to freshly prepared homemade meals made from fresh produce that keeps them healthy and happy.
Keeping your mind active:
Keeping your brain active through mental activities can help build its cognitive reserve, which can delay the onset of dementia. You can find activities that you enjoy that also challenge your mind. These can also help relieve stress and improve mood. We help our residents stay mentally active through puzzles, crosswords, memory games, and books. Our activities coordinators also plan activities such as arts and crafts, bingo, and quizzes, that stimulate cognitive abilities.
Fostering social relationships:
One of the main factors in cognitive decline is social isolation. Building and maintaining social relationships is very important in preserving brain health. At our care home, we encourage residents to maintain social connections by participating in group activities and engaging in conversations in our communal areas. Such social interactions help stimulate the brain, improve emotional well-being and also create a sense of belonging – all of which are factors that help reduce the risk of dementia.
Ensuring you are in good health:
It is important to ensure that your overall health is in good condition by consulting a doctor from time to time. As a person gets older, they are more prone to developing health conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and other heart conditions. These conditions are known to increase the risk of dementia. It is a good idea to get regular health check ups done to avoid any major health conditions creeping up on you unexpectedly.
By adopting these simple lifestyle changes, you can take proactive steps to reduce the risk and potential onset of dementia. At Weald Hall, we take every measure possible to empower our residents to lead fulfilling lives through personalised and high quality care.
For more information about dementia, visit The Alzheimer’s Society’s website: https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/about-dementia/risk-factors-and-prevention/how-reduce-your-risk-alzheimers-and-other-dementias.
This World Alzheimer’s Day, let’s restart the conversation around dementia, share knowledge, and spread awareness about the condition while supporting those living with it the best we can.
If you would like to have a chat about dementia or dementia care, feel free to contact our friendly team at 01992 572427 or drop by for a chat.
