5 Controllable Risk Factors for Dementia
All types of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease, is on the rise. In fact, according to the World Health Organization, a new case of dementia is diagnosed every three seconds. And the number of cases which remain undiagnosed cannot even be estimated.
Even as researchers work to find treatments for Alzheimer’s and other dementias, they also know that prevention is the best medicine. But how can you prevent dementia?
Although many risk factors for dementia — such as age — are not alterable, a recent large-scale study, published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, has identified several risk factors that are controllable, allowing a person to modify their behavior in order to lower their risk.
The 5 main controllable risk factors for dementia are:
- High blood pressure
- Apolipoprotein E, a protein that plays a vital role in regulating cholesterol levels
- Obesity
- Diabetes
- Depression
Following established medical guidelines to control blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, and depression can lead to reduced risk of dementia.
Moreover, a healthy lifestyle, which includes exercise and a healthy diet, has an effect on all five of these risk factors. It goes without saying that the opposite is also true: habits such as smoking and overeating, which have a detrimental effect on one’s general health, will also increase one’s risk for dementia.
The study suggested that managing these five factors will not only lead to overall good health, but will also reduce the number of dementia cases by as much as a third.
Atlantic Coast Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center, in Lakewood, NJ, provides care that is specifically designed to address the needs of individuals suffering from Alzheimer’s, dementia, or other cognitive disorders.
For the safety and well-being of cognitively impaired residents, Atlantic Coast offers a separate secure unit. The wide corridors are homelike and easy to navigate, creating an environment with a sense of familiarity and security.
The Alzheimer’s unit caregivers are specially trained to care for memory impaired residents. With their extra sensitivity and understanding of the condition and its impact, our caregivers treat each resident with dignity and love.
The cognitively impaired care program helps patients maximize their cognitive function. Likewise, the activities program is designed to foster social interaction and an appreciation of life.
For patients in more advanced stages, innovative sensory therapies such as audiovisual stimuli and aromatherapy are beneficial in inducing a sense of calm.
Read our reviews on senioradvisor.com, caring.com, and wellness.com to hear what our residents and their families have to say.
Or better yet, come see for yourself: Contact us to schedule a tour by calling 732-364-7100, or by clicking here.