Best Activities That Help Prevent Alzheimer's and Dementia

We experience changes in our brains as we get older. One of the most common changes is a gradual decrease in memory and thinking skills. It's normal to have a little trouble recalling names or dates as you get older, but you can do a lot to stay mentally sharp throughout your life.

As we observe Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month, we'll give several activities to prevent dementia and Alzheimer's disease. Read on to discover how these brain-boosting activities can help keep your memory sharp!

The Difference Between Alzheimer's and Dementia

Dementia and Alzheimer's are both brain conditions. Dementia is a general term for loss of brain function, which causes changes in your brain that lead to difficulties with thinking, memory loss, and problem-solving or language challenges.

This progressive condition comes in many forms, including:

• Vascular dementia - This type causes brain blood flow problems. It often affects people who have had a stroke or other injury to their brain.
• Dementia with Lewy bodies - Dementia with Lewy bodies is a progressive brain disorder that causes problems with thinking, memory, and movement (like in Parkinson's) 
• Frontotemporal lobar degeneration - Frontotemporal lobar degeneration is another progressive brain disorder that causes changes in personality, behavior, and language skills
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Alzheimer's disease accounts for 60-70% of dementia cases. This disease has no single cause, and many factors contribute to this illness. The risk of developing Alzheimer's increases with age, family history, and lifestyle choices. This neurodegenerative disorder affects memory and thinking skills, eventually making it hard for a person to carry out daily activities. People with Alzheimer's may experience confusion, mood changes, or problems with behavior or language.

As Alzheimer's progresses, it may become difficult for a person to perform simple tasks such as dressing or eating alone. In the later stages of Alzheimer's, people may require assistance with all activities of daily living.

Is Preventing Dementia Possible?

In some cases, dementia may not be unavoidable due to an underlying medical condition or other causes. While there is no current cure, some forms of dementia are indeed preventable. Many factors affect your risk of developing Alzheimer's. Your genes, age, and lifestyle habits can all increase your chances. Thankfully, you can reduce your risk or slow the progress of dementia and Alzheimer's by changing your diet, exercise habits, and other lifestyle factors.

Ways to Prevent Dementia and Alzheimer's

The best way to prevent dementia is through a healthy lifestyle. The more you can control your risk factors, the lower your chances of developing cognitive problems or dementia. Here are some measures to prevent Alzheimer's or delay the onset of other conditions that deteriorate your mental ability.

Exercise

Exercise positively impacts the brain, preventing or delaying the onset of dementia. Regular physical activity helps protect against the decline of cognitive function by reducing stress and improving blood flow to the brain.

In addition, exercise may also help reduce amyloid plaques, a protein that builds up between neurons in the brain that contributes to Alzheimer's disease. It also helps maintain muscle mass and keeps your heart healthy — both factors linked to decreased risks of cognitive decline later in life.

Socialization

Social interaction is another crucial component of preventing these conditions by improving memory and thinking skills and reducing stress levels— all things beneficial to slowing the progression of Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia.

In addition to providing social support, interacting with others can help increase your mind-body awareness by forcing you to pay attention when interacting with others instead of being distracted by your thoughts or worries.

Eat a Healthy Diet

Eat a healthy diet rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and low-fat dairy products, which provide antioxidants that may protect against cognitive decline. Take advantage of foods that are rich in nutrients that boost brain function. These foods include:

• blueberries
• cherries
• olive oil
• spinach
• yogurt
• apples (especially the skin)
• kale, and other leafy greens 
• omega-3 fatty acids such as salmon, sardines, and mackerel
• nuts like walnuts and almonds
• legumes such as beans and lentils
• dark chocolate with no added sugar or artificial sweeteners.

Benefit From Supplements

A balanced diet is a key to optimal brain function and overall good health, but some specific supplements may help reduce your risk of developing dementia. These include:

• Vitamin B (B12, B6, B9)
• Vitamin E
• Omega-3 fatty acids
• Ginkgo Biloba
• Magnesium
• Curcumin

Get Enough Sleep

Getting enough shut-eye is essential for maintaining brain health as you age. Research has shown that when people don't get enough sleep, they have trouble forming new memories and learning new skills. They also have difficulty with tasks that require attention and concentration, like driving or operating machinery.

Sleep deprivation increases levels of beta-amyloid, a sticky protein that may be linked to Alzheimer's disease. One study found that people with less than six hours of sleep are nearly twice as likely to develop cognitive decline or dementia than those who sleep seven to nine hours.

Don't Smoke and Reduce Alcohol Intake

Cigarette smoke can damage brain neurons, leading to cognitive deterioration later in life. Moreover, smoking leads to the buildup of plaque in your brain, which can lead to Alzheimer's disease and other types of dementia—so avoid it as much as possible. Drinking too much alcohol also puts you at a higher risk for brain problems later in life.

Top Activities to Prevent Dementia

Mental stimulation is another important factor in preventing age-related cognitive decline. The top activities to prevent dementia include: 

• reading books
• playing word games
• doing puzzles like crossword puzzles and sudoku
• solving math problems
• creating music and art
• watching educational shows/movies on television
• learning new things about current events through articles or podcasts 

Fight Against Memory Loss!

Stay active, challenge yourself cognitively, diet well, and take care of yourself! The bottom line is that you can take steps to prevent Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia. If you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms of memory loss, it's crucial to seek a diagnosis as soon as possible. Early detection gives doctors the best chance at slowing down or stopping the progression of the disease.

If you have any questions about Alzheimer's prevention or would like more information on how we can help your family member with memory loss or other symptoms related to Alzheimer's disease (AD), don't hesitate to contact us today! 

Ocana Medical, located in Tampa, FL, aims to bring you as much information as possible to keep you healthy. We're in this together. #ocanacares