You’ve probably heard older people joking about having a ‘senior’s moment’ or putting their car keys in the fridge. But\u00a0dementia\u00a0\u2014 a group of diseases that affect memory, thinking and behaviour \u2014 isn’t a joke and it isn’t a normal part of\u00a0ageing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are more than 400,000 Australians currently living with dementia and without a medical breakthrough, the number is expected to exceed 1 million by 2058.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are many things you can do to help others living with dementia \u2014 and ways to\u00a0reduce your risk of developing dementia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Embracing technology is a good start.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you have a relative or friend with dementia (which includes\u00a0Alzheimer’s disease), you might struggle to\u00a0interact or communicate with them during visits. That’s where A Better Visit comes in. The free app features simple games, such as Tic-Tac-Toe, that are designed to be played by people living with dementia and\u00a0their support network. Dementia Australia, Swinburne University of Technology, and a Victorian residential care facility collaborated on A Better Visit, which is\u00a0available for download free\u00a0on most Apple (iOS) devices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
About 2 in 3 people with dementia live in the community. Using software created by Deakin University, The Dementia-Friendly Home app allows carers to see\u00a0how a home can be modified to suit a person with dementia. For example, glass-fronted cabinets can help a loved one find kitchen items easily, while installing a sensor light in a bathroom that turns on automatically will allow a person to use the toilet during the night. The Dementia-Friendly Home app is\u00a0available for download\u00a0on most Android devices ($2.99) and Apple (iOS) devices ($1.99).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nEvery 3 seconds, someone in the world develops dementia.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Tech-free ways to ward off dementia<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
If apps are not your ‘thing’, there are more traditional ways to help protect against cognitive decline. There is no known way to\u00a0prevent dementia or Alzheimer’s, but these suggestions may reduce your risk \u2014 or keep the condition at bay for a few more years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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- Challenge your brain<\/strong> Whether it’s learning a second language or how to play a musical instrument, learning any new skill builds new brain cells and strengthens the connections between those cells.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Connect with others<\/strong>\u00a0Research shows that having close relationships, being married and spending time with friends and family decreases the risk of developing dementia.If you don’t have loved ones nearby, join a recreation or social club, befriend neighbours or get to know the staff at your local caf\u00e9.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Move your body<\/strong> There is strong evidence that regular physical activity improves brain function by boosting blood flow to the brain and stimulating the growth of new brain cells. You don’t need to train like a Navy Seal; just find a form of exercise you enjoy.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Try the Mediterranean diet<\/strong> Rather than a fad diet, this is a style <\/em>of eating typical to the Mediterranean region, which is rich in healthy fats (found in olive oil and fish) and antioxidants (found in tomatoes, beans, nuts and blueberries). There’s evidence that eating more of these foods \u2014 as well as fewer saturated fats and takeaway foods \u2014 can promote the growth of new brain cells and reduce the risk of dementia.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Check your hearing<\/strong> People with mild hearing loss are more likely to develop cognitive problems and perhaps dementia since it impairs a person’s ability to remember what they have just heard. Older people should have their hearing checked regularly and everyone \u2014 young and old \u2014 should protect their ears from noise caused by TV, ear pods and loud music at concerts.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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