How to Help Slow Down Dementia With These 8 Activities

how to slow down dementiaAlzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia are becoming more prevalent. At the age of 65, the chance of developing dementia increases dramatically. Along with Alzheimer’s disease, natural memory loss is a normal part of aging. Fortunately, there are many things that you can do to prevent memory loss or slow it down in its tracks. To help you maintain your mental and physical health, we have compiled a list of 8 activities that have been shown to effectively slow the progression of dementia and Alzheimer’s.

8 Effective Ways To Slow Dementia Progression

1. Get a Sufficient Amount of Sleep

New data suggests that receiving an optimal amount of sleep each night may be linked to a decrease in amyloids in the brain. Getting close to seven or eight hours of sleep each night of the week may help prevent the spread of amyloid plaques and slow Alzheimer’s progression. The symptoms that are displayed by individuals with a moderate to severe form of Alzheimer’s disease are caused by the formation of amyloid plaques near nerve cells.

slow down dementia naturally by socializing2. Socialize

An effortless way to maintain the mental health of a family member who is encountering the symptoms of the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease is to encourage socialization. Keep your mind active by scheduling small parties with your friends or co-workers. If you are caring for someone with dementia, introduce your family member or parent to new hobbies such as tennis, music, arts and crafts, interior decorating, or card games. Learning a new instrument such as the guitar or violin is a straightforward way to gain new mental skills and slow the progression of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Consider signing your family member up for a class to learn a new instrument.

3. Adopt a Mediterranean Diet

Although more research is needed to confirm a relationship between a healthy diet and dementia, data is emerging that suggests adopting a Mediterranean diet may help slow down dementia progression. A Mediterranean diet is filled with fruits, nuts, fish, vegetables, eggs, dairy, and poultry. In addition, new research from various studies indicates a relationship between an excess consumption of red meat and mental health. Decreasing the total amount of red meat you consume will help you decrease the probability of encountering cardiac arrest and other types of medical conditions that are linked to the formation of Alzheimer’s disease.

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4. Enjoy a Glass of Wine

Data from various studies displays a relationship between the consumption of wine and the advancement of Alzheimer’s disease. Although researchers have never found a direct linkage between wine and the probability of developing dementia, a tale suggests it may be beneficial to consume a glass of wine each day. To maintain your physical health, it is not recommended to drink more than 1 glass of wine during the week.

regular exercise to help slow the progression of dementia5. Exercise

Data that was released by the Alzheimer’s Research & Prevention Foundation displays a positive relationship between cardio or exercise and a reduced probability of developing Alzheimer’s disease. There is no evidence that proposes a direct linkage between including cardio in your daily routine and dementia. On the other hand, participating in physical exercises each week may help slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease by promoting the development of new connections in the brain.

6. Add Unsaturated Fats to Your Diet

There are good fats and there are bad fats. To maintain your physical health, it’s important to monitor your consumption of saturated fats and trans fats. A fast way to improve your physical health is to replace saturated fats with unsaturated fats such as monounsaturated or polyunsaturated fats. Eating an optimal amount of foods with unsaturated fats will decrease your risk of developing a heart attack and indirectly may help slow the progression of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Learn new ways to incorporate good types of fats into your diet. As the brain is mostly made up of fats, the beneficial ones will assist your brain in remaining healthy. Various types of foods that include healthy fats are fish, olive oil, avocados and nuts.

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7. Do Puzzles

Always try to challenge yourself and in particular, your brain. There are a large number of books that offer all sorts of crossword puzzles, Sudokus, and jigsaw puzzles to get your brain working. Even the newspaper offers daily puzzles. Try to challenge yourself and keep your brain stimulated daily.

reading books to help slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease8. Read a Book

It will become harder for individuals to read as dementia and Alzheimer’s disease becomes more severe. However, a large number of people with Alzheimer’s do not have difficulty reading short and long books. On the other hand, it will become harder for your loved one to stay focused on the storyline in a book as they reach the late stages of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Reading is a beneficial way to maintain and improve mental health because it preserves language.

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Compassionate Memory Care for Those With Alzheimer’s

If you notice the signs and symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease in a family member, give our team a call by phone at (630) 534-0886. We are a dementia care facility in Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois that offers Alzheimer’s care services to residents. Our facility features beautiful dining areas, large apartments, and sensory life stations.