“Even at only 18, your lifestyle alters your dementia risk. A single factor can add up to 3 years to your brain age.”

Baycrest’s Rotman Research Institute conducted one of the first studies into lifestyle risks for dementia. It focused on people from 18 to 89, unlike other studies focused on middle-aged and elderly subjects.

The research found that, at 18 or 80, your lifestyle might be more important than your age.

How are lifestyle and dementia related?

The study’s 22,117 participants, aged 18 to 89 years, completed the Cogniciti Brain Health Assessment with 2 main parts: a general questionnaire; and 4 memory and attention tests.

The assessment covered 8 risk factors for dementia:

1. Hearing loss
2. Injury or concussion
3. Heavy alcohol use or use of certain drugs
4. Hypertension
5. Smoking (at time of study or in the preceding four years)
6. Diabetes
7. Depression
8. Education level

The study found that, at any age, any of these 8 risks can cause a decline in memory ability and add 3 years to your brain age. The higher the risk factor, the greater the rise in brain age.

If you have 2 of the 8 risk factors, your brain age can rise by up to 6 years. If you have 6, your brain age can climb 18 years. Risk factors rise with age as well as the number of factors. People without dementia risk factors might have a brain age 10-20 years younger than their actual age.

How to change your lifestyle to prevent dementia?

Baycrest researcher Dr. LaPlume said: “Studies show that you can reduce your risk factors. Whether you’re 18 or 90, you can keep your brain and memory skills in good health and reduce your fear of aging.”

In addition to avoiding the 8 risk factors, you can adopt a lifestyle that promotes brain health and improves brain performance. You can embrace age-appropriate exercise and activities that stimulate your brain and train your memory. Socializing and joining activities to help society will further boost your mental resources.

Our brains also need enough rest. High-quality sleep in the right environment will help reduce brain fatigue. Your brain will relax and work efficiently, ready to receive new information.

The Aspen Tree at The Forestias worked with Baycrest to give you the finest care and healthiest lifestyle.

The Aspen Tree is a warm community for older adults. Activities enhance well-being and boost physical and mental health through a partnership with Baycrest, a world-renowned aging center and a leader in brain and memory research.

The holistic wellness program extends to brain health to prevent dementia. Activities are designed by a team of world-class experts across 4 areas:

• Physical Wellness – Staying fit and in form
• Cognitive Wellness – Brain functioning skills to prevent dementia
• Emotional Wellness – Enhancing life force physically and mentally
• Social Wellness – A warm community and a welcoming setting

Start a new chapter in your life of joy and well-being in a warm community.

Find out more now CLICK https://mqdc.com/aspentree

Tel. 1265

LINE OA: @TheAspenTree or CLICK https://mqdc.link/3K4f0dM

Source:
Baycrest

Journal reference:

LaPlume A. and et.al. Alzheimer's & Dementia: Diagnosis, Assessment & Disease Monitoring, 2022. DOI: 10.1002/dad2.12337