Prevention of Dementia and Other Cognitive Disorders
Rudolph C. Hatfield, PhD., edited by Kathryn Patricelli, MAThere is no formal way to actually test if some type of diet, behavior, or other activity will "prevent" someone from getting Alzheimer's disease. This is because it is impossible to test this type of question in a controlled research study with humans. However, the research does suggest that there may be several activities that most people can engage in that will either significantly decrease the risk that they will develop Alzheimer's disease or will delay the onset of the disorder. These options are often referred to as protective factors or behaviors. A few of the most important behaviors to consider are:
Staying Active: Research has consistently reported that remaining active is an important protective factor for many different diseases and conditions that may happen as one gets older. The research has also shown that staying physically active is a very powerful protective factor against age-related diseases and conditions. For instance, just taking a 20-minute walk each day can significantly decrease the risk for developing many different age-related conditions including Alzheimer's disease. Other activities can also help reduce the risk to develop Alzheimer's disease. This might include:
- continuing to read
- interacting with others (see below)
- keeping a sense of purpose in one's life
- taking up a hobby. This might include gardening, walking, yoga, doing crossword puzzles, or even knitting
Getting Good Nutrition: Research has also indicated that good nutritional practices are important preventive factors that can help protect someone against age-related diseases and disorders like Alzheimer's disease. However, the use of megavitamin supplements, herbs, and other so-called "miracle cures" are not justified by the research. Instead, common sense dietary practices are the best approaches including:
- limiting the amount of fat in one's diet
- eating plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables
- eating plenty of grains
Using herbal supplements can make things worse. This is because many of these products are not subject to federal regulations. They may contain substances that are harmful to one's health.
Staying connected with others: Continuing to participate in activities with other people is an important protective factor against all sorts of physical and mental age-related problems. People can significantly decrease the risk of developing disorders like Alzheimer's disease and other dementias by doing things like:
- attending talks or lectures
- going to church
- playing cards
- just being with other people and interacting with them.
Maintaining connections with others does not mean watching TV. It means getting out and getting involved with other people on a person-to-person basis. Even having a pet, such as a dog or cat, and caring for that pet can be an important social activity for older people.
Continuing to get regular medical checkups: It is extremely important for older people to make sure that they are up-to-date on all their medical checkups. They also need to continue to follow the instructions of their doctor regarding any medications or the treatment for any conditions. This includes regular dental checkups. Many research studies have indicated that there is a connection between the health of teeth and physical and mental health. This connection is most likely very complicated. It does not necessarily mean there is a direct cause where having bad teeth makes someone have dementia. However, it is clear that part of the overall approach to maintaining sound physical and mental health includes taking care of one's teeth, as well as the rest of the body. Doing so can reduce the risk of getting Alzheimer's disease.
Resources
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Articles
- Introduction & Causes of Cognitive Disorders
- Dementia
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Alzheimer's Disease
- Alzheimer's Disease
- Prevalence and Causes of Alzheimer's Disease
- Causes of Alzheimer's Disease Continued
- Risk Factors for Alzheimer's Disease
- Symptoms of Alzheimer's Disease
- Warning Signs of Alzheimer's Disease
- Diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease
- Diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease - Imaging Procedures and Psychological Evaluation
- Diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease - Neuropsychological Testing
- Treatment of Cognitive and Behavioral Symptoms associated with Alzheimer's Disease
- Research and Prognosis on Alzheimer's Disease
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Other Cognitive Disorders
- Vascular Neurocognitive Disorder
- Vascular Neurocognitive Disorder Continued
- Lewy Body Dementia
- Symptoms of Lewy Body Dementia
- Diagnosis and Treatment of Lewy Body Dementia
- Reversible Cognitive Disorder - Dementia Syndrome of Depression
- Neurocognitive Disorder Due to Another Medical Condition
- Reversible Cognitive Disorder - Delirium
- Prevention of Dementia and Other Cognitive Disorders
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Dementia Coping Skills & Behavior Management
- Coping Skills for Those With Dementia
- Coping Skills for Dementia Caregivers
- Services for Dementia Caregivers
- Communication Tips for Dementia Caregivers
- Behavioral Management for Dementia Caregivers
- Behavioral Management for Dementia Caregivers Continued
- Tips for Dealing with Specific Dementia Problematic Behaviors
- Tips for Dealing with Specific Dementia Problematic Behaviors Continued
- Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
- Conclusion and Resources
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News
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Questions and Answers
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Book & Media Reviews
- Alive with Alzheimer's
- Alzheimer's
- Days With My Father
- Decision Making, Personhood and Dementia
- Dementia
- Dementia Caregivers Share Their Stories
- Hearing the Person With Dementia
- How We Think About Dementia
- Inside Assisted Living
- Mild Cognitive Impairment and Early Alzheimer's Disease
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16 more
- Mom's OK, She Just Forgets
- My Book about Brains, Change and Dementia
- Nothing about us, without us!
- Remembering Home
- Rights, Risk and Restraint-Free Care of Older People
- Speaking Our Minds: Revised Edition
- Still Alice
- Telling Tales About Dementia
- The Almost Moon
- The Emotional Journey of the Alzheimer's Family
- The Enduring Self in People with Alzheimer's
- The Story of My Father
- Voices Of Alzheimer's
- When It Gets Dark
- When Someone You Know Is Living in a Dementia Care Community
- Wrinkles
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Links
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Videos
- Overview of Dementia with Lewy Bodies
- Common Challenges: Driving
- Diagnosis and Management of Vascular Dementia
- Difference Between Alzheimer's and Dementia
- Why Early Detection of Alzheimer’s Disease Matters
- Looking Beyond Alzheimer’s Disease: An Overview of Other Major Forms of Neurodegenerative Disease
- New Definition of Alzheimer’s Changes How Disease Is Researched
- Lewy Body Dementia: Most Common Disorder You’ve Never Heard Of
- Living With Traumatic Brain Injury
- Early Detection of Alzheimer's Disease
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37 more
- Seeing Alzheimer's in a New Way
- Inside Alzheimer’s disease
- Alzheimer's Screening
- Neurology: Testing for Alzheimer's
- Alzheimer's and Dementia Caregiver Training: Sexually Inappropriate Behaviors
- Alzheimer's and Dementia Caregiver Training: Depression/Apathy
- Alzheimer's and Dementia Caregiver Training: Agitation and Anxiety
- Alzheimer's and Dementia Caregiver Training: Aggressive Language/Behavior
- Alzheimer's and Dementia Caregiver Training: Sleep Disturbances
- Alzheimer's and Dementia Caregiver Training: Repetitive Phone Calls
- Alzheimer's and Dementia Caregiver Training: Home Safety
- Best Practices & Emerging Therapies for Patients with Alzheimer’s Disease
- Recognizing the Early Signs of Dementia
- Effective Treatments and Prevention of Alzheimer’s Disease: The Time is Now - Research on Aging
- Dementia – it affects us all
- Falls Prevention in People with Dementia
- Caregiver Training Part I: Introduction
- Caregiver Training Part II: Hallucinations
- Caregiver Training Part III: Refusal to Bathe
- Caregiver Training Part IV: Refusal to Take Medication
- Caregiver Training Part V: Repetitive Behaviors
- Caregiver Training Part VI: Repetitive Questions
- Caregiver Training Part VII: Sundowning
- Caregiver Training Part VIII: Wandering
- The Benefits of Early Detection of Alzheimer's Disease
- A New Way To Look At Alzheimer's
- The Healing Power of Music
- Falls Prevention in People with Dementia
- Falls Prevention in People with Dementia
- Protecting & Caring for Patients with Dementia
- Dementia 101 in 101 Seconds
- Normal and Abnormal Aging and the Brain
- Alzheimer’s Disease and Parkinson’s Disease
- Aggressive Behavior in People with Dementia
- Diagnosing Alzheimer’s
- Signs of Alzheimer’s
- Practical Tips for Travelling with a Loved One with Alzheimer's Disease
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