What Can I Do to Combat Dementia?

If you’re just trying to keep your mind sharp, or you’re attempting to ward off dementia, there are some things you can do to help your brain stay healthy, says the Orange County Register’s recent article entitled “Here are 3 surprising things you can do to fight dementia.”

Here are some things to keep your brain busy and fight dementia:

Study French. Comment allez-vous? OK, perhaps you haven’t attempted to learn a new language since high school. However, did you know it can help fight dementia? Researchers have studied patients with dementia and found that speaking a second language puts these patients at an advantage, regardless of their level of education. In one study, the bilingual patients in the group developed dementia an average of four and a half years after those who spoke just one language.

Get Some Exercise. Regular exercise is recommended to keep your body healthy throughout your life— and it may also help keep your mind sharp. Exercise may keep your brain healthy, by supporting vascular health and by helping release chemicals to protect your brain. You can visit a gym, go for a run, or play sports with friends to get in the exercise. There is no wrong way to be physically active. To get the benefit, shoot for 150 minutes of moderate activity a week or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise.

Make Friends. Partying with your best buds isn’t just for college students. The young at heart can and should also have an active social life. This also helps you avoid loneliness and provides you with something to do. An active social life can also be a tool in the fight against dementia. Having a large social network of friends and family has been linked to a lower risk of dementia. In fact, seniors without any social ties are more than two times as likely to develop dementia as those with ties to at least five other people. In addition, skipping a social engagement earlier in life is connected with a higher risk for dementia. Therefore, be certain that you reach out and make some friends at every stage of life.

“Strong social ties can help keep your mind sharp, and you can build these relationships no matter your circumstances, ” said Amy Santo, administrator at Smith Ranch Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. “People who live in care facilities often benefit from social interactions with their caregivers and by participating in group activities with other residents.”

A person is diagnosed with dementia about every minute in the U.S. There are things you can do to help your brain stay healthy as you age. These efforts can help to delay or stave off dementia.

It doesn’t hurt to try them, and you may find you enjoy the work while you’re at it.

Reference: Orange County Register (June 29, 2020) “Here are 3 surprising things you can do to fight dementia”