“Your most common questions about dementia answered’ – a new booklet from the Alzheimer’s Society is now available to download. It’s an excellent starting point for someone trying to get to grips with dementia and for their family and friends.
Visit the Alzheimer Society’s website to get you copy
Here’s just a sample of the kind of content you’ll find in the booklet:
Is there anything I can do to prevent dementia?
There’s no way to completely eliminate your chances of getting dementia. However, scientists have found there are positive lifestyle changes you can make which will reduce your risk of dementia. Steps you can take right now include:
Keeping fit, eating a balanced diet and stopping smoking
Try to keep physically active – enough to raise your heart rate and break a sweat – for at least 30 minutes, five times a week. Eat a Mediterranean-style diet and drink within the government’s recommended levels of alcohol. Try to stop smoking – smoking significantly increases your chance of developing dementia.
Keeping your brain active and staying social
People who regularly do brain-challenging activities are less likely to develop dementia. Learning a new language, reading, or doing puzzles such as crosswords or Sudoku, all give your brain a workout. Being social may reduce the risk of dementia as well.
Taking control of your health
Managing your health by keeping an eye on your weight, blood pressure and any underlying diseases such as diabetes or heart problems will help reduce your dementia risk. If you are invited for a health check, be sure to go.