According to official data, there are more than 400,000 people in Australia who are suffering from dementia. This statistic may sound shocking, especially considering that Australia is a nation of less than 25 million people. And it’s basically the same case all around the globe.
However, not all dementia cases are severe. The thing about this condition is that it’s characterized by gradual decay of the cognitive function, particularly when it comes to short-term memory. Some dementia cases are caused by treatable diseases, some come as a result of bad lifestyle, while some are the consequence of genetic predisposition.
What this means is that in some cases, dementia can be treated or at least slowed down. Here are ten most important rules for dealing with this disease.
1. Healthy Social Life
Various studies on dementia have found that the seniors who lead a healthy social life are less likely to end up having memory problems. The reasons why this is the case are numerous, starting with the fact that having a lot of friends means being happy and less likely to suffer from depression.
At the same time, spending a lot of time with friends and family also makes your brain work harder, which is essential for keeping it in a good form.
2. Brain Workout
Cognitive exercises are meant to be fun, but also to give the brain the workout it needs in order to stay sharp. Thanks to the internet, the senior can find any kind of brain workout that they find interesting, including everything from online quizzes to virtual board games.
3. No Stultifying Activities
There is a correlation between cognitive problems such as forgetfulness and watching TV. Television programs that don’t engage the brain enough can do a lot of damage. Watching reality TV and family game shows can make even the sharpest brain dull. And the same goes with many other activities that make a person feel bored.
4. Reading
Of course, not all TV is bad. There are many great TV series and documentaries out there that make everyone’s brain work harder. It’s just that they’re not on all the time. Apart from watching quality TV program, people can engage in many other activities that are good for the brain. Reading is definitely one of those.
5. Art Therapy
One of the methods for battling dementia that’s getting a lot of attention lately is the art therapy. By letting dementia sufferers express themselves through art, this kind of therapy will keep their brains engaged while also reducing the stress levels. Not to mention that creating art is something that makes people feel good about themselves.
6. Yoga & Meditation Therapy
Certain yoga techniques can affect the brain and help with forgetfulness. The thing is that in some cases of dementia, the biggest problem is keeping the thoughts organized. And meditation can help people get all of their thoughts and memories in the right order.
Moreover, given the fact that dementia often comes as a result of some emotional issue, yoga can be the cure. Yoga, mindfulness, mediation are the things that can help people take control over the negative emotions.
7. Healthy Diet
Bad lifestyle is to blame for various health issues, including those physical and mental ones. Eating unhealthy food entire life is bound to have some consequences. And in many cases, those consequences are manifested in the form of dementia.
Eating a healthy diet is important throughout life, but its importance is even bigger when it comes to the seniors suffering from dementia. Not only do they need to eat healthy, but they also need to add certain brain-friendly foods to their diet. We’re talking about this like healthy fats, fish, nuts, and so on.
8. Active Lifestyle
Keeping an active lifestyle even at an old age is great both for the body and for the brain. First of all, regular exercise keeps the metabolism going at a good pace, meaning that the brain (and all the other organs) gets its supply of nutrients. Furthermore, physical activity makes the blood pump faster, which, in turn, increases the oxygen supply to the brain.
Finally, exercise makes people feel happy. The so-called runners’ high is a state of euphoria caused by the release of endorphins during running, swimming, cycling, or any other physical activity.
9. No Stress
As they get old, their physical health diminishes, so many seniors are faced with a choice – staying home and struggling with daily living tasks or moving to a nursing home. Those who pick the latter option often end up suffering from various emotional issues like depression and anxiety, which can lead to many other conditions, including those related to their brain.
Moving away from a home in which they spent the best days of their lives is guaranteed to put a lot of stress on the senior, causing them to feel uncomfortable. The result in many cases is that they end up suffering some kind of cognitive problem, dementia included.
Luckily, there is an alternative. Instead of living on their own or moving to a nursing home, Australian seniors have another choice before them. What we’re talking about is in home dementia care, provided by professional caregivers who know how to handle dementia patients, regardless of the stage of the disease.
10. Regular Medical Checkups
No matter how hard people try to keep their brains healthy, sometimes it’s not up to them. Certain diseases that cause dementia happen even to those who lead a healthy lifestyle and live stress-free lives. The key to dealing with those conditions is in spotting them on time, which is why it’s important to do medical checkups on a regular basis.
Another reason why going to the doctor is important is that they’re the ones who know the best. Instead of looking for solutions to dementia on the internet, it’s best to ask real experts for advice. After all, they’ve spend years studying dementia, therefore, they will know which medications to prescribe to curb down this disease.
