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Friday, March 29, 2024

Living well to reduce the risk of dementia

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As our population ages, the number of people living with dementia continues to increase.

‘Dementia’ is a general term used to describe the signs and symptoms of more than 100
conditions that can affect a person’s memory, thinking, behaviour and the ability to perform
everyday activities.

While not all causes are preventable, it’s encouraging to know that there are some simple
steps you can take to minimise the risk of developing dementia.

These include:

Enjoying regular mental activity – the more novel and varied the better!

Aim to engage regularly in enjoyable pursuits such as puzzles and crosswords, painting, sewing, writing, learning a musical instrument, or going to the theatre, concerts or museums.

Getting sufficient sleep to support the ability of the brain to rewire itself. Plan to have a
good night’s sleep by creating a consistent routine around going to bed.

Having your hearing tested to detect hearing loss that can reduce social stimulation and reduce cognitive function. A free hearing test, and wearing hearing aids if required, can play a significant role in reducing the chance of developing dementia.

Maintaining regular physical activity to help lower the risk of heart disease and stroke, conditions known to increase the risk of dementia.

Make movement part of your regular routine by enjoying activities such as brisk walking, cycling, yoga, swimming or golf.

Enjoying a healthy diet to contribute to your long-term physical and mental wellbeing. Try
to base your daily diet on a variety of fresh foods, including vegetables, lean meats and
unsaturated fats such as olive oil.

Staying social by engaging in groups or activities that bring you into contact with other
people. As well as adding enjoyment to life, social connectedness is thought to contribute to both physical and mental health.

When it comes to staying social, many people who move to a retirement village are pleasantly surprised by the social advantages of living in a community of like-minded people.

The best villages offer a range of recreational facilities, social activities and groups of all kinds. While no one is pressured to join in unless they want to, having easy access to community facilities and activities means that many people enjoy the best social life they’ve ever had!

If you’re interested in seeing what retirement living has to offer, you’ll love exploring
Anglicare’s brand-new Gordon Quarter.

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