What do you do for yourself to prevent dementia?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Alzheimers runs in my husband's family. Father and aunt both developed it in their 80s. Hope they develop better treatments because the drugs don't do much. On my side, dementia was caused by strokes so I am taking a statin and keeping up with my carotid and heart scans.

I thought 80 was considered a good run for age-related mental faculties to slip? Is the new standard to be sharp as a tack until the day we drop dead 90+ I did not know

Are you okay? You sound angry.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Avoid risky behaviors...wear bike helmets et al.

A recent study believes that the period of say 1950 - 1990 has been the worst for behavior resulting in head injuries during youth that contributes to dementia. Bike helmets weren't prevalent...kids got concussions playing sports and then just sent right back onto the field...etc.

Wow, I didn’t know that. I’m glad I did not play sports then!

I did have a concussion, though, and no treatment for it back in the day. Thankfully, I never fell off my bike and hit my head.

OP

[Anonymous]

It's genetic, there's nothing you can do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The shingles vaccine has been shown to prevent dementia, which is a great perk, https://www.idsociety.org/news--publications-new/articles/2025/shingles-vaccine-lowers-risk-of-dementia-major-cardiovascular-events/

I walk at least 45 minutes a day and follow the MIND diet to some extent, https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/mind-diet#what-it-is

I’m 65 and hoping for the best but know it’s somewhat out of my control.

This MIND diet looks good and it would be easy for me to add in the foods I don’t eat often (fish and berries). This looks like something I can do. Thank you!

I try to work in 1/4 cup of nuts a day and also high-quality 100% olive oil, which I use in homemade salad dressing or drizzle on toast.

OP

[Anonymous]

I started Metformin before I became pregnant diabetic (diabetes is in my family and my A1C was creeping toward pre diabetes). I exercise 45-60 minutes a day, stay very social (loneliness and lack of social activity is a factor in developing dementia), do daily word games… I think those are the main things.

[Anonymous]

Pre diabetic not pregnant diabetic 😉

[Anonymous]

I’m doing all the things mentioned already.

I’m also having as much fun as possible b/c I’ve got 27 yrs before I’m the age my mother got Alzheimers. She did everything right but the gene is strong (her mother and sister died of Alz and her other sister has it now).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Avoid risky behaviors...wear bike helmets et al.

A recent study believes that the period of say 1950 - 1990 has been the worst for behavior resulting in head injuries during youth that contributes to dementia. Bike helmets weren't prevalent...kids got concussions playing sports and then just sent right back onto the field...etc.

Wow, I didn’t know that. I’m glad I did not play sports then!

I did have a concussion, though, and no treatment for it back in the day. Thankfully, I never fell off my bike and hit my head.

OP

So, in fairness...the study mentioned all the behaviors resulting in head injury that often was ignored. The study doesn't really care how you received your head injury, though multiple head injuries are of course worse than one (and I assume you didn't immediately engage in the behavior that resulted in your concussion).

Not to bring up a really ugly other correlation...but abused women often have sustained multiple concussions and are also at heightened dementia risk.

[Anonymous]

At 52 I got hearing aids. Audiologist said over 95% of people with my mild hearing loss don't get hearing aids but I want to be proactive since my mother has dementia. She had a hearing loss once she turned 50 that went from mild to moderate and she never wore hearing aids.

Daily crossword puzzle.

Learning to sew.

[Anonymous]

I don't worry about it as I live in vilified Canada where I can choose medical aid in dying and skip the Alzheimer's "journey". I take the SAGE test from the University of Ohio and test myself to catch the early stages where I am still competent to make a medical decision.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's genetic, there's nothing you can do.

The above is incorrect.

The Alzheimer’s Today magazine quotes Dr Nathaniel Chin, MD, and he says there are many risk factors.

OP

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:At 52 I got hearing aids. Audiologist said over 95% of people with my mild hearing loss don't get hearing aids but I want to be proactive since my mother has dementia. She had a hearing loss once she turned 50 that went from mild to moderate and she never wore hearing aids.

Daily crossword puzzle.

Learning to sew.

Good for you! That is great! A lot of people do not take care of their ears and hearing.

I also got hearing aids and think it is wise to get tested.

I am learning a new language along with exercising.

OP

[Anonymous]

I think there is NO way to prevent dementia/alzheimer's. No one could have been more mentally and physically active, in better health than my Father. And it came for him.

Not buying these prevention suggestions. Do the many things suggested for yourself to live healthier now, now in the moment. Best you can.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think there is NO way to prevent dementia/alzheimer's. No one could have been more mentally and physically active, in better health than my Father. And it came for him.

Not buying these prevention suggestions. Do the many things suggested for yourself to live healthier now, now in the moment. Best you can.

genetics are a big part of it too. I'm sorry

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think there is NO way to prevent dementia/alzheimer's. No one could have been more mentally and physically active, in better health than my Father. And it came for him.

Not buying these prevention suggestions. Do the many things suggested for yourself to live healthier now, now in the moment. Best you can.

I agree based on our family’s experience.