Dementia is a general term for a decline in mental ability severe enough to interfere with daily life. It can affect people’s memory, thinking and reasoning.
It's not an inevitable part of ageing. You can help reduce your risk of dementia by keeping socially active and doing activities which provide cognitive stimulation such as puzzles or learning a second language. Adoption of healthier lifestyles in midlife can reduce the risk of dementia. The World Health Organisation recommends reducing the risk or delaying the onset of dementia by helping people to:
- stop smoking
- be more active
- keep socially active and try new things
- drink less alcohol
- Eat well and maintain a healthy weight
- have regular hearing checks
- know your blood pressure- high blood pressure increases the risk of vascular dementia
Knowing the early signs of dementia
- Forgetting about recent conversations or events
- Person repeats themselves
- Becoming slower at grasping new ideas
- Losing the thread of what is being said
- Showing poor judgement and finding it harder to make decisions
- Loss of interest in other people or activities
- Blaming others for taking mislaid items
- Becoming increasingly unwilling to try out new things or adapt to change
What will help support someone with dementia?
- Keep them connected with friends and family
- Peer support with other people living with dementia
- Ensuring their carer's are supported and can access a carer break