Dementia - Reducing your Risk
Dementia affects the way the brain normally works, and this can make it difficult to do everyday activities. People who have dementia often forget things or get confused.
Dementia cannot be cured, but you can reduce your chance of getting dementia by keeping your brain healthy. Living a healthy lifestyle will help you keep your brain, as well as your heart, healthy. What’s good for your heart is also good for your brain! That’s because the brain relies on a good blood supply to stay healthy. Taking steps to look after our heart can help lower our risk of cardiovascular diseases, and our risk of dementia too.
For better brain health:
- Manage long-term health conditions
- Protect your hearing and vision
- Be physically active everyday
- Eat a healthy balanced diet
- Drink less alcohol
- Avoid repeated head injury
- Don't smoke
- Keep your mind active
- Avoid loneliness and social isolation
As well as following a healthy lifestyle, it’s also important to connect with people around you. Staying mentally and socially active will improve your wellbeing and could also help improve your chances of delaying or avoiding dementia. Learning new skills or joining clubs can be a good way to connect with other people, stay mentally active and improve your wellbeing. Why not play Scrabble, cards or bingo, do puzzles, help your grandchildren with their homework, or join a quiz or darts team?
Click here to find out more about reducing the risk of dementia from Alzheimer’s Research UK in the ‘Reducing your risk of dementia’ booklet
Click here to find useful information, helpful tools and available support from Healthy Cornwall to help you make healthy lifestyle changes
Signs and Symptoms:
The signs and symptoms of dementia are:
- Forgetfulness. For example, trouble remembering what has happened recently or recognising familiar people and places.
- Problems planning and doing tasks you used to do easily. For example, dealing with money, following a cooking recipe or writing a letter.
- Feeling confused even in a familiar place.
- Finding it hard to follow conversations and losing the thread of what you were saying.
- Trouble controlling your mood or behaviour - e.g. feeling depressed, agitated or irritable.
Experiencing Symptoms of Dementia:
If you feel you may be experiencing signs and symptoms of dementia, please speak to your healthcare professional.
Alternatively you can call 01208 251300 to find the location of your nearest memory clinic, or visit www.cornwallft.nhs.uk/dementia-and-older-peoples-mental-health for more information.
The Memory Service provides expert assessment to you if you are worried about your memory or think you may have dementia. Early assessment and diagnosis is crucial when identifying the right treatment for you and ensuring you receive the treatment and support you need to maintain a good quality of life.