Dementia is a scary word. It conjures up images of older adults wandering through cities with no idea who they are or where they’re going. But dementia isn’t always as dramatic as it sounds. Dementia can be caused by Alzheimer’s disease and other cognitive disorders that lead to memory loss and confusion—and while dementia progression is not reversible, there are ways to slow down its development.
Follow a Healthy Diet
A healthy diet is an important part of slowing down the progression of dementia. This means eating enough vitamins and minerals to support your body, as well as maintaining a balanced diet. Eating plenty of fruit and vegetables, whole grains, and avoiding processed foods can help you meet these goals.
For example:
- Eat five portions of fruit and vegetables daily (about 400g). This will provide you with lots of good nutrients for your brain health, such as vitamin C or antioxidants – known to protect against conditions like Alzheimer’s disease or stroke.
- Include oily fish such as salmon or mackerel in at least two meals per week because they contain omega-3 fatty acids, promoting memory function in older people.
Stay Socially Active
One of the most important things you can do to slow down dementia progression is to stay socially active. Social interaction helps keep your brain active and healthy, which can lead to better cognitive function as you age.
Socializing also gives you a chance to practice new skills and build confidence in yourself, especially if it’s been a while since you’ve been around people or had conversations with others.
Find ways to be around other people on a regular basis – whether by joining an online forum with others with similar interests or volunteering at your local library for story time with kids every week. If this isn’t possible due to financial or time constraints, try texting friends once in a while; even small gestures like sending them funny memes can help keep relationships strong!
Exercise Regularly
Regular exercise can help you feel better and stay mentally sharp. It also helps prevent weight gain, improves mood and increases bone density. Exercise can be fun! You don’t need to join a gym or take up running – try walking for at least 30 minutes every day (or longer if you’re able).
Get Enough Sleep and Rest
Sleep is vital for brain health. It is recommended by The National Sleep Foundation that adults get about 7-9 hours of sleep per night, which can vary depending on age and activity level. It’s also important to consider your personal preferences when determining how much sleep you need; some people naturally require more or less time to recharge than others.
To improve the quality of your sleep, try these things:
- Stick to a regular schedule. Go to bed and wake up at roughly the same time every day (including weekends) so that your body gets used to sleeping at certain times, which may help promote better rest overall.
- Avoid caffeine in the afternoon or evening.
- Avoid alcohol before bedtime because it can interfere with REM sleep cycles.
- Avoid screens before bedtime; research has shown that using electronic gadgets late at night interferes with melatonin production and makes falling asleep hard.
Conclusion
Hopefully, this post has given you some insight into how to slow down dementia progression. It’s important to note that many things can help prevent or reverse the onset of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. By making sure that your diet is healthy, exercising regularly, staying socially active, and being involved in hobbies – not just as an elder but also throughout life – you’ll be doing yourself a favor!
