Chronic Diseases: Dementia

• Chronic Diseases: Dementia
• Dementia is a chronic disease

Causes of Dementia

• Forgetting recent events or information, genes, gender and sex, ethnicity, health conditions and diseases, and lifestyle factors can cause dementia

How Common is Dementia?

• About 5% to 8% of people over 65 have a form of dementia
• At least half of those 85 or over have dementia
• The Black community is the most affected ethnic group with 14% affected
• Women are more likely to develop dementia potentially due to hormonal changes, high blood pressure, and differences in physical activity
• One in 10 Americans aged 65+ has dementia
• The rate of dementia increases to 35% among those in their 90s.

The Relations Between Poor Nutrition and Dementia

• Incorporating unhealthy items into your diet can increase the chance of developing dementia. For example, trans fat can increase dementia risk.
• Different vitamins and food choices can also make differences
• High saturated and trans fat diets, high concentrations of iron and copper in diet, and synthetic and folic acids can increase the risk of dementia.

The Relations Between Poor Physical Activity and Dementia

• Lack of physical exercise can increase the chances of developing dementia
• Those who do regular exercise can be up to 20% less likely to develop dementia
• Older people who exercised the least were more than twice as likely to develop dementia than older people that exercise the most.

The Relations Between Poor Sleep and Dementia

• People who had poor sleeping habits during their 50s and 60s are more likely to develop dementia when they are older
• Dementia and other brain diseases can affect sleeping patterns, and poor sleep patterns earlier in life affect your risk to develop dementia
• Poor sleep patterns reduces the brain's effectiveness of clearing toxic amyloid proteins in the brain
• Seniors with dementia can improve sleep by treating chronic pain, creating a dark and quiet environment, avoiding stimulants, staying active during the day, getting sunlight and minimizing blue light, creating a bedtime routine, avoiding physical restraints, using a weighted blanket, and using night lights and bed sensors

How Good Nutrition can Decrease the Risk of Dementia

• Following a diet such as a Mediterranean diet can decrease the risk of dementia by 23%
• It is an effective way to include antioxidants into your diet
• Helps your body protect your brain cells from damage linked to Alzheimer's
• Foods to focus on eating include: oily fish like salmon and mackerel, fruits and vegetables for antioxidants, and nuts and seeds

How Physical Activity can Decrease the Risk of Dementia

• Physical tasks such as engaging in activities like cleaning and cooking can help reduce the risk of brain diseases
• Combining aerobic and anaerobic exercises can lower dementia risk.
• Recommendations for Older Adults: Activities such as jogging, walking, or playing sports are beneficial.

How Proper Sleeping Habits can Decrease the Risk of Dementia

• Good sleeping habits aid in the brain's ability to clear toxic amyloid protein in the brain
• Poor sleep will impede the process and lead to toxic protein build up
• Good quality sleep will help the brain function properly and effectively
• Proper sleep can delay the risk of dementia by 70%
• To begin good eating habits, start a sleep schedule, eating schedule and habits, and exposure to bright lights and physical activity