Nine Top Risk Factors for Dementia

Age 

Age is the strongest risk factor for dementia. Although it is possible to develop dementia at a younger age, the vast majority of cases occur in individuals aged 65 or over. In fact, once you pass the age of 65, your risk of dementia doubles roughly every five years. While there is nothing you can do to stop the ageing process, you can focus on ageing well to help stave off physical and cognitive decline. 

Family History and Genetics 

Scientists have discovered numerous genes that play a role in whether or not a person will ultimately develop dementia or Alzheimer’s. Some of these genes are considered risk genes, meaning they increase the likelihood of developing the condition while not directly causing it. There are also a few deterministic genes that guarantee a person will develop dementia at some point in their lives. If you have others in your family with the disease, your risk is greatly increased as well, multiplying for each additional family member with the condition. 

Frequent Head Injuries 

Researchers have found a strong link between head injuries and cognitive decline. The risk is increased even more when head injuries occur frequently and when the person loses consciousness. The best way to minimize your risk in this area is to employ basic safety practices, like always wearing a helmet when riding a bike and a seat belt when driving. If you have experienced head trauma in the past, all hope is not lost. Do your best to prevent it from happening again in the future, though. 

Cardiovascular Conditions 

There are a variety of cardiovascular conditions that can increase your risk of developing dementia later on in life. Diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and obesity all boost your risk. To help combat this risk, do your part to stay healthy by reducing the amount of saturated fat and cholesterol in your diet, and practice physical fitness on a regular basis. Your doctor can advise you on the best diet and exercise choices to meet your needs and help prevent these common conditions. 

Sedentary Lifestyle 

In addition to increasing your risk of developing the cardiovascular conditions listed in the previous section, leading a sedentary lifestyle also increases your risk of dementia. While the specific reasons behind this are not entirely clear, researchers believe that it is due to the changes physical exercise creates in your brain. A lack of physical activity reduces blood flow to your brain, which can lead to damage over time. Aim to get at least 30 minutes of physical activity each day, even if it is just a leisurely stroll. 

Smoking 

Smoking has major effects on your entire body, not just your lungs. Smoking also affects your heart, brain and entire vascular system. Not only that, but it also increases your risk of developing cardiovascular conditions. The combination of all of these effects significantly increases your risk of dementia. It is never too late to quit smoking. When you quit, the positive effects on your body begin almost immediately and continue to increase over time, so get the help you need to quit right away. 

Lack of Cognitive Stimulation 

Your brain needs ongoing stimulation to stay sharp. If your lifestyle doesn’t provide much in the way of mental stimulation, you’ll need to go out of your way to get it for yourself. This is common among retirees who no longer have their jobs to keep their minds active. Activities like crossword puzzles and other word games can help stave off cognitive decline. Try to remain socially active as well; interacting with others helps to keep your mind active. Playing games, either in person or online, can help too. Basically, anything you can do to keep your brain as active as possible will help. 

Alcohol Abuse 

Consuming too much alcohol on a regular basis can have far-reaching effects, not just on your body, but on your brain as well. Frequent drinking can lead to short-term and long-term memory loss, as well as difficulty forming new memories. Excessive alcohol consumption over a period of many years can also increase a person’s risk of Korsakoff syndrome, an extreme form of dementia. In the past, some scientists believed that occasional drinking could help to prevent cognitive decline, but that notion has fallen by the wayside in recent years. 

Depression 

People who have experienced bouts of depression in the middle of their lives have increased risk of developing dementia. Scientists are unsure of what exactly causes this connection, but it may carry over into a person’s latter years as well. There is a possibility that depression is a byproduct of dementia in the later stages of life rather than a risk factor, but it is undeniable that the two often go hand in hand. More research will be needed to determine the specific reasons for the connection between depression and dementia. 

Caring for Yourself or Your Loved One 

If you or someone you love have one or more of the risk factors outlined here, it is never too late to make changes to your lifestyle to help prevent the onset of dementia. However, there may come a time when your loved one needs full time care. Here at Lakeside Manor, we offer best in class Alzheimer’s Care in a cozy residential facility.  Reach out to us today to learn more about what we have to offer and how we can help care your loved one.

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If you struggle with the decision of when to put your loved one into a dementia residential care home, you aren’t alone. More adults find themselves facing the fact that in-home care is more demanding on them than they ever imagined. Most adults have other responsibilities that prevent them from giving the round-the-clock care that dementia patients eventually need. Instead of taking on a burden that isn’t good for you or your loved one, focus on choosing the right home for their dementia care.

Dementia Residential Care Home

Do They Offer Specialized Dementia Care?

People with dementia require very specific types of care. They need to have activities available that will stimulate their brains and extend their memories for as long as possible. A facility that specializes in dementia care does more than provide shelter and a safe environment. They also provide activities and therapy to help their residents enjoy a better quality of life.

Music therapy increases the release of chemicals in the brain that improve mood and reduce stress and agitation. The response to music continues to provide benefits even after the music stops. Most impressive of all is that listening to music can evoke old memories. Providing activities such as crafts also helps. Look for a dementia residential care home that spends time with their residents doing the things that will prolong their memories.

Where Are They Located?

For many adults, it is better to find a care home close to them and not close to the loved one’s former home. Once your loved one leaves home, their condition will only grow worse over time. You and your family must face the reality that they will not return to their home.

What is most important to your loved one is to have family members around them. The support family members provide is vital to the patient’s physical and mental health. They also need support outside of the home, such as taking care of financial needs or managing their property. Having your loved one close to you will also reduce demands on your time if they should become ill and need to go to the hospital.

What Is Their Approach to Dementia Care?

There are different types of dementia and the symptoms vary among different people. Taking the same approach to dementia care will leave some people shortchanged of the personalized care they need. Make sure a care home offers individualized care instead of implementing the same types of treatment for everyone.

What Is Their Policy for Going Outdoors?

There’s a lot of difference between keeping residents safe and keeping them locked away. Dementia patients benefit a great deal from being outdoors. Working in a garden provides even greater benefits as long as the staff monitors gardening activities to ensure safety. Find out if the dementia residential care home you talk with encourages residents to spend time outdoors. Also, ask if they have interactions with their community and/or what types of outdoor activities they provide.

What Is Their Visitor’s Policy?

 Ask who you will need to communicate with to get updates about your loved one’s care. Do they have limited visiting hours and, if so, when are they? Keeping track of who comes and goes is an important step in keeping all residents safe and secure. You don’t want your loved one to be “off limits” but you do want a home with a reasonable policy that makes it convenient to visit your loved one.

What Do They Do to Keep Your Loved One Safe?

How is the home set up and what types of security do they have in place? Is there supervision around the clock? How far can your loved one go without getting out of the range of view? An estimated six in ten dementia patients wander. Dementia is a progressive disease and your loved one will continue to decline in their ability to find things and places that they know. You need to know they are protected in case they suddenly try to go somewhere.

Request a Tour

Calling a home on the phone is a good start to having your questions answered and getting some of the information you need to help you make a decision. For example, what kind of living quarters will the home provide to your loved one? Does it have a cozy, at-home feel or more of a clinical one? Ask the home if they provide tours. If not, it isn’t the right place for your loved one. If they are confident in the services they provide, they should agree to show you what it is they do.

If they do offer tours, take along any questions you have about the care they offer for dementia patients. Pay attention to the setting, the workers, and the patients. This is your chance to see firsthand the environment the home provides to dementia patients.

Read Reviews

You aren’t the first adult who has struggled with the decision of which dementia care facility to choose, and you won’t be the last. Reviews offer a window into the care the home provides and can enlighten you about some of the issues you hadn’t thought about before.

Choosing a dementia residential care home for your loved one is one of the hardest things you’ll ever do. Knowing what to ask and what to look for will give you the confidence that you made the right choice. Contact Lakeside Manor today to schedule a tour at a time that’s convenient for you. We specialize in Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care in San Diego.

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