For years, scientists have made efforts to better identify risk factors for Alzheimer’s Disease and other forms of dementia in order to decrease the prevalence of these conditions. Over 700,000 Canadians are currently diagnosed with dementia—a number that’s expected to double in the next 25 years—which creates a ripple effect on families, communities and the Canadian healthcare system.
When we come across research that gives us new information—and in some cases, reason for hope—we’re pleased to share it with our community of clients and caregivers. Here’s something we wanted to draw your attention to: new data on the link between lifestyle and dementia risk. This research was the first of its kind in Canada. The London Free Press reported earlier this year that it stated, in part: “There are 12 factors that contribute to dementia risk, but the top four for Canadians are physical inactivity, unaddressed hearing loss, obesity and hypertension,”
Here’s what we know—we hope you find this information useful and encourage you to share it with anyone else who may be interested.
Exercise as preventative medicine
Physical inactivity and obesity were in the top three risk factors determined from this research. It was found that regular exercise—even just walking—reduces a person’s risk of being diagnosed with dementia. (An unrelated study by Harvard Health estimates that this risk reduction is as much as 25%.) Unfortunately, studies show that four out of five older Canadians don’t exercise on a regular basis, and one in three is considered obese. By addressing these health risks, individuals could delay the onset of dementia by months or years, perhaps even avoiding the condition altogether. The exact impact of exercise as preventative medicine is unknown, but the link is there—we know that moving your body is good for your brain. It’s also good for your heart, balance and mobility, mental health and more. So, if you want to minimize your risk and maximize your health? Get moving!
Other lifestyle factors
Exercise habits and body type aren’t the only risk factors to consider. Sleep disturbances and isolation were also shown to have a significant negative impact on a person’s cognitive health, increasing their risk of dementia and other conditions. Other lifestyle factors that have been linked to the onset of dementia include smoking, excessive alcohol use and lower education levels early in life. Increased dementia risk has also been linked to suffering a brain injury (i.e. from a stroke), living with unaddressed hearing loss, having hypertension or living with depression.
These facts are sobering, but they also give us an actionable defense against dementia. As the same article in the London Free Press stated in a quote attributed to researcher Manuel Montero-Odasso: “If half of the dementia cases in Canada are linked to modifiable lifestyle risk factors, this suggests that, today, prevention may be the most effective form of treatment. Dementia doesn’t have to be your destiny, even if that’s part of your genetic story.”
Contact us for support
Preventing dementia is a worthwhile goal and medical research is getting closer every year. Genetics play a huge role in determining one’s cognitive health later in life, so it’s worth noting that lifestyle alone cannot determine the outcome. Simply put, not everything is within our control, and there should not be any shame or blame attributed to dementia patients. Still, it’s worth understanding these risk factors in order to control what you can. Some prevention is better than none—just stay informed and do your best.
If your family is already affected by Alzheimer’s Disease or another condition that results in symptoms of dementia, you may benefit from hiring a Personal Support Worker (PSW) to assist your loved one. Please visit our website or contact Living Assistance Services to learn more. We’d be glad to answer your questions about homecare, offer personalized recommendations and provide a quote.