What are the risks?
Risk factors are elements of your environment, lifestyle, and genetic make-up that raise your risk of contracting a disease.
Risk factors do not cause disease on their own. Instead, risk variables indicate a higher possibility, but not a guarantee, that dementia may manifest.
Similar to exposure to risk variables, having little to none does not guarantee that a person will not get dementia.
Do I have any control over dementia risk factors?
Modifiable dementia risk factors are those that can be altered. Twelve major dementia risk factors that can be changed are thought to account for about 40% of dementia cases.
Elevated blood pressure
In comparison to people with normal blood pressure, those who have persistently high blood pressure (hypertension) in their mid-life (ages 45 to 65) are more likely to develop dementia.
Due to its impact on the heart, arteries, and blood flow, high blood pressure can raise the risk of dementia, especially vascular dementia.
Smoking
Strong and consistent data suggest that smokers are more likely to develop dementia than neither nonsmokers nor ex-smokers. Quitting is never too late! Quitting smoking can lower a person’s risk of dementia.
Diabetes
Ages 45 to 65) who have type 2 diabetes are more likely to get dementia, especially Alzheimer’s disease, and vascular dementia.
Obesity
Obesity raises the risk of dementia in middle age (between 45 and 65). Other dementia risk factors, such as type 2 diabetes, are also made more likely to develop as a result of obesity.
Absence of exercise
Ages 65 and over who are physically inactive have a higher risk of developing dementia.
Bad diet
A bad diet that is high in salt, sugar, and saturated fat can raise your risk of getting dementia and cardiovascular disease, among other diseases.
High alcohol intake
You run a higher chance of acquiring dementia if you drink excessively (more than 14 drinks per week for women and more than 21 drinks per week for men).
Low levels of mental activity
The growth of a “cognitive reserve” is thought to be supported by cognitive activity. According to this theory, people who actively use their brains throughout their lifetimes may be more resistant to dementia’s ability to harm brain cells.
Depression
Dementia risk is increased in people who experience depression in the middle or later age. But it’s still unclear how sadness and dementia are related.
Many studies think depression increases the likelihood of developing dementia, while others think it might be an early sign of the condition or both.
Harm to the brain from trauma
Dementia risk is higher in those who sustain severe or frequent head traumas. Dementia may develop as a result of a process that brain damage may start.
Athletes that compete in boxing, soccer, hockey, and football, in particular, are impacted because head injuries are frequent in these sports.
The most common reason for traumatic brain damage falls. Falling is particularly risky for elderly people.
Loss of hearing
Alzheimer’s disease and cognitive impairment are more likely in people with mild hearing loss. Hearing loss can result in social isolation, loss of independence, and issues with daily activities, while it is yet unknown exactly how it affects cognitive decline.
Social exclusion
The risk of hypertension, coronary heart disease, depression, and dementia can all be raised by social isolation.
The risk of dementia may be lowered by maintaining social engagement. The progression of the disease may also be slowed down by social engagement.
Air toxicity
It is still unknown how air pollution and dementia are related. However, since they could be exposed to higher amounts of air pollution from car emissions, those who live close to busy highways are thought to have a higher chance of developing dementia.
Live-in home care Dementia services
To reduce dementia risk factors, a live-in care via ConsidraCare is a good option. Having home care Dementia services will facilitate the elderly from minimizing the risk factors. This will slow down the possibility of developing dementia. The elderly caregiver will make sure to provide a diet that is going to be suitable and do household work and other errands so that the senior is not stressed.
The caregiver will make sure to keep an eye out for the seniors’ loved ones’ activities so that they can avoid falls and injuries that are harmful such as traumatic brain injuries and concussions. They will take the elder out to the park and help them socialize by driving or accompanying them to the event which is an excellent way to promote the mental health of the senior.
