Alzheimer's / Dementia Eight Surprising Ways to Keep Dementia at Bay 6/23/2023 | By Sarah Caesar Someone in the world is diagnosed with dementia every three seconds. Dementia mainly affects older people, and the risk factors are different for every individual. While some dementia risk factors, like age and genetics, are difficult or even impossible to change, there are actions you can take to help keep dementia at bay. Some of these may surprise you. Proactive ways to keep dementia at bay 1. Take care of your eyes. A study reported by The Harvard Gazette showed a strong correlation between worsening vision and increased risk of dementia. In addition, the risk of developing dementia was lower among people who had cataract surgery. This indicates the importance of maintaining eye health and possibly the benefits of cataract surgery. Cataract surgery could lead to sharper vision and a sharper, more engaged mind. Healthy vision helps ensure proper brain functioning as you age. 2. Stay socially active. There is evidence that many adults, especially those aged 50 and older, are socially isolated and lonely. What’s more, social isolation is associated with about a 50% increased risk of dementia. Poor social relationships were also associated with other conditions, such as heart disease and stroke. As a result, maintaining high-quality social relationships may help older adults live longer, healthier lives, both physically and mentally. 3. Get hearing aids. Hearing loss is a potential indicator of the development of dementia. A 2011 Johns Hopkins study explored the relationship between hearing health and dementia, discovering the more severe the hearing loss, the greater the likelihood of developing dementia. The reasoning behind hearing loss and onset of dementia remains unclear. Some scientists postulate that the strain of aural processing “might overwhelm specific sections of the brain related to sonic deciphering, and lead to hearing loss.” Another theory postulates that hearing loss can cause people to withdraw and become more socially isolated – again, a risk factor for dementia. For either of these possible causes, treating hearing loss with hearing aids may reduce the risk of cognitive decline. Related: The effects of loneliness on senior health 4. Exercise – with others. Research shows that exercise has numerous benefits. Its protective effects are increased when adding social interaction. Therefore, add physical activity into your daily routine. Choose activities that you enjoy and that you can do with others. Not only will the activity seem less like a chore, exercise companions can help keep you accountable. 5. Treat yourself for depression when needed. A study reported in Psychiatric Times showed that depression increased the risk of dementia by 51% as compared to participants without depression. Treatment of depression, therefore, is helpful in postponing onset of dementia for some patients. Depression therapies, such as pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy, could lower risk for dementia. Timely treatment ensures maximum effectiveness. Related: Prioritizing mental health in retirement 6. Stay engaged mentally. Challenging yourself mentally can benefit your brain, both in the short and long term. Mentally challenging leisure activities, such as reading, playing board games, and learning something new, may help elderly people stay mentally sharp. Researchers found that elders who participated in a diversity of mentally challenging activities had a lower risk of dementia than their counterparts. 7. Eat a healthy diet. There are numerous benefits to eating a healthy diet, including brain health, thus eating well helps keep dementia at bay. Diets such as the Mediterranean and the MIND diet have been associated with cognitive benefits, “though the evidence is not as strong as it is for other interventions like physical activity, blood pressure and cognitive training,” reports the National Institute on Aging. “Currently, researchers are more rigorously testing these diets to see if they can prevent or delay Alzheimer’s disease or age-related cognitive decline.” 8. Manage stress. Balancing daily stress may be effective at Alzheimer’s and dementia prevention since excess stress is known to cause brain damage. Chances of developing memory loss increase due to increased stress. Overall brain health, however, improves with proper stress management. Meditation is a useful stress management technique that also lowers cortisol and improves other aspects of mental function. These eight easy actions can keep dementia at bay while adding to quality of life. Read More Sarah Caesar Sarah Caesar is a contributing writer. She writes about the aging brain, mental health, healthy aging, and other topics. During her free time, she enjoys reading, going for long walks, and exploring new places.