Senior Care News

Can One’s Lifestyle Help Prevent Alzheimer’s Disease?

If you notice they are doing things that could cause this disease, be sure to work with them on making changes to their lifestyle.

There are many factors that contribute to Alzheimer’s disease. The lifestyle that someone lives will be a factor. If you have an elderly loved one, it is important to assess their lifestyle to see if they have a higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. If you notice they are doing things that could cause this disease, be sure to work with them on making changes to their lifestyle.

Proper Eating

How does your elderly loved one eat? Do you find they are constantly eating processed meats, junk food, fast food, or other unhealthy foods? If so, they may have a higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. You may need to work with your elderly loved one to get them to eat healthier. Eating more green leafy vegetables, legumes, fruits, fish, nuts, and whole grains can help your loved one. In addition, you and caregivers should use more olive oil in your loved one’s diet.

Keeping Active

How about your elderly loved one’s exercise habits? Do they sit most of the day in their recliner? Are they constantly laying down watching television? If this is the case, they may have a higher risk of getting Alzheimer’s disease. It is important that you keep your elderly loved one active. If you don’t have time during the day to make sure your loved one is up and moving around, hire caregivers to help them out.

Continued Learning

Does your elderly loved one read a lot? Do they like to learn? These are things that could help to prevent Alzheimer’s disease or at least delay the onset or progression of the disease. Your elderly loved one’s brain works as the muscles do. If they keep using their brain and challenging themselves to learn more, they can strengthen it.

Help Relieve Stress

If your elderly loved one has high stress levels for long periods of time, this could increase their risk for Alzheimer’s disease. During times of stress, cortisol is released throughout the body. In time, too much cortisol may cause damage to one’s brain. It could actually shrink the area of your elderly loved one’s brain that stores memories. Work with your elderly loved one to keep their stress levels as low as possible.

These are some of the lifestyle tips that can help your elderly loved one to prevent Alzheimer’s disease. Spend time with your elderly loved one implementing these tips.

Sources
https://www.health.harvard.edu/alzheimers-and-dementia/what-can-you-do-to-avoid-alzheimers-disease
https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/preventing-alzheimers-disease-what-do-we-know

If you are considering caregivers in Galleria, TX, for an aging loved one, please call the caring staff at At Your Side Home Care. We will answer all of your senior care questions. Call today: (832) 271-1600.

Donna Wrabel, LMSW

Recent Posts

Categories

Contact Us About Home Care

Skip to content