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Learn About How To Slow Dementia
Knowing how to slow dementia development matters a lot. When those closest to us start having the signs, it may be difficult to figure out what to do. Right now, there is no standardized answer to stop the condition. Yet, at the moment, methods to slow its progression are available. People suffering from the condition experience cognitive decline and often become dependent too. But at least the strategies that may delay it could help sufferers maintain a quality life. So we can say that dementia isn’t a hopeless case at all.
How can dementia be treated? Consulting a doctor who specializes in neurology or geriatric care may help. Yet folks discovered effective and practical measures to address the condition well. With them, it became possible to decelerate the advancement of dementia. In this post, we’ll discuss the specifics of some of these techniques. Hence, continue reading for more helpful information.
Why Knowing How To Slow Dementia Matters
Dementia is not a disease. Rather, it’s a widespread term that people use to call a group of symptoms. That would be manifestations that relate to cognitive impairment and decline. Oftentimes, folks say that sufferers find thinking, recalling, and solving challenging. With these, it’s hard for them to control their feelings. Their dispositions may turn different as well. Right now, there isn’t a cure for it. It’s difficult or even impossible to pinpoint its causes. Because of that, aside from being a lasting condition, it continues to progress. So doing something about its advancement matters a lot.
How can dementia be treated by people? There isn’t a clear answer to that. But at least living becomes better in finding ways to reduce the speed of its development. That is to say, there would be lesser inconveniences that way. Slowing the condition helps reduce certain symptoms. It also means being functional longer. Still, it implies having prolonged independence. Thus making lifestyle changes is worth it when it comes to addressing dementia.
Approaches To Decelerate Dementia
The problem is irreversible now, but ways to keep back its progress are within reach. It’s only up to caregivers and the sufferers themselves to try them and see what happens next. There may be no assurance of them working but they are worth the shot. To a certain degree, they allow for chances to be successful in dealing with the condition well.
Below are time-tested ways that may provide benefits. How to slow dementia is what they can help with.
Being Active
Physical activity is one of the best means to not only act on but also prevent the condition. By having an active lifestyle, the brain gets plenty of stimulation. To be specific, it fires up the cerebellum and hippocampus. The former handles balance, movement, and coordination. The latter controls learning and memory. Hence, in doing physical activities, a person’s brain keeps going. In that way, such triggers the growth of new cells or neurogenesis. So it’s important to stay active in avoiding or facing dementia.
The Department of Health recommends about 150 minutes of moderate activity per week. That is to say, about 30 minutes of a challenging exercise daily for 5 days. Research showed the benefits of medium and intense aerobic and strength exercises. It specified that such activities didn’t worsen dementia. Rather, it even promoted physical fitness. A study also presented exercise as a useful means to prevent and slow Alzheimer’s disease. Such a condition causes dementia, after all. Thus, for loved ones who have signs of mental decline, being active from time to time may help make things better.
Healthy Dieting
Do you want to find out how to slow dementia for a person who can’t have an active lifestyle? Inactivity can be an issue but at least there’s dieting that can aid in handling the condition. After all, food has nutrients that can not only maintain the body but even improve it. Unlike in consuming medicine, in most cases, the human body often accepts foods taken in. Hence, it makes a lot of sense why following a healthy diet can help stop or at least decelerate dementia.
How can dementia be treated with food? Going on a diet for weight maintenance and management can help a lot. This means monitoring calorie and nutrient intake while staying hydrated. Eating to prevent issues like obesity, diabetes, and high blood pressure helps too. This usually involves being watchful of macronutrient consumption. Going for things like omega-3 fatty acids and low-fat foods contributes to good health. Also, it often entails taking in more fruits and vegetables. That would be for having antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. Thus it may be better to go for home-cooked meals. It’s only because restaurants usually serve high-calorie and fatty foods.
Brain Stimulation
Neurogenesis and neuroplasticity are important when it comes to how to slow dementia. It’s only since general brain functioning is better when there are healthy neurons. Also, with better connections between them, human intellect stays in great shape. That is why stimulation is important in this regard. With such, the hippocampus area makes new cells. Also, the brain adapts better to changes. So seniors and those with cognitive disorders need stimulating activities on occasion.
Learning something fresh or doing an existing activity better are excellent ideas. After all, they are interesting and challenging at the same time. Starting a hobby that involves thinking and doing manual labor works. It’s also helpful to become better or even the best at something already familiar. Still, memorization, doing puzzles, and being adventurous helps too. Using mnemonics and studying patterns aids in having a better recall. Playing jigsaw puzzles, checkers, cards, crossword puzzles, and the like is productive. Such entertaining things activate both sides of the brain. They test people’s memory, visual, and spatial skills all at once. Still, going somewhere new from time to time introduces fresh things to the mind. Hence, doing either of these is how can dementia be treated.
Stress and Sleep Management
A study says that having chronic negative stress results in several problems. The elderly may suffer from poor memory and shrinkage of the brain because of it. Lack of sleep, an article said, puts almost and classified seniors at risk of dementia. So stress management and quality sleep are very important things for old people. Folks don’t get stressed out right away when they can handle what trouble comes their way. Quality sleep results in better physical and mental health plus diminished daytime sleepiness. They are especially crucial for people who have signs of cognitive decline. Thus helping people cope and sleep well can slow down the possibility or rate of dementia.
Because seniors are the ones at risk of the condition, guide them to know how to do relaxation exercises. As a way to cope with stressful situations, oftentimes, people do restorative breathing. Doing relaxing activities like meditation and fun pursuits also help. As for slumbering, having a routine encourages a good sleep-wake cycle. Practicing bedtime rituals may help avoid insomnia and sleep deprivation too. So focus on helping them with their perception and to stay optimistic but realistic. Check them often to know if they have had an undisturbed and relaxing sleep as well.
Challenges In How To Slow Dementia
Often, responding to the condition isn’t a walk in the park at all. For instance, how can dementia be treated when you can’t get seniors to cooperate? Indeed, it’s possible to experience difficulties when addressing mental decay. After all, a person suffering from poor memory and judgment may feel confused. They may even be stubborn. Also, due to brain dysfunction or damage, it may be hard for them to comprehend and communicate. So handling dementia may not always be easy for some people.
Some who are suffering from it may need help somehow or the most. Others can’t be independent anymore too. It’s a debilitating condition and caregivers may experience burnout from providing long-term care. Not all techniques on how to slow dementia work for every dementia patient. Plus, sufferers may need aid in taking a bath, grooming, and getting dressed. That includes going to the toilet and exercising. Hence, patience, resilience, and skillfulness are qualities often demanded from caregivers.
Staying Positive With Dementia
Even if it’s a condition that advances, at least certain symptoms improve. That is to say, as observed by doctors, the physical changes to the brain often continue to get worse. But alterations in memory and perception get treated. Of course, that is with the right help and when a sufferer responds well to treatment. Aside from focusing on the curable things, pay attention to what worsens too. After all, in doing so, you may avoid a rapid decline in brain functioning.
After getting diagnosed, it may be challenging to take things in stride. But there are plenty of things to do to be productive and stay happy or at least positive. Acceptance is the key to better coping. Also, a positive attitude maintains cognitive functioning. In that way, it helps to be optimistic. After accepting the existence and nature of the condition, keep yourself preoccupied. Find a caregiver who could help. Do things to stay safe from harm, productive, and fulfilled as a person. Life goes on so keep on living.
On A Final Note
There are still plenty of things to know about how to slow dementia. But at least there are promising techniques that worked. With them, people have what they can use to help others or themselves. The brain damage advances but treating certain symptoms is still an option. So slowing it and staying positive matters a lot.
Many suffer from this condition. It means that no dementia patient is ever alone in his or her suffering. Its symptoms are challenging but all types of support are available. We hope that we shared some helpful ideas and positive thoughts with you on this topic we discussed. Whether you’re a dementia patient or a concerned loved one, always stay safe and strong. Thanks for reading.
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