Lifestyle Changes May Help to Hold Off or Slow Down the Onset of Dementia

While there is no cure or medical treatment to prevent Alzheimer’s there is some encouraging news on how we can slow down the risk of the disease in our own life, even if we have a higher genetic risk. Presented last July at the 2019 Alzheimer’s Association International Conference, researchers say that several studies indicate that by following a combination of healthy lifestyle habits we lower our risk of cognitive decline, and the more of them we adopt, the better it is for us. 

The main health habits linked to slowing down the onset of Alzheimer’s include regular exercise, cognitive stimulation, a brain-healthy diet, light to moderate alcohol consumption and not smoking. In fact in one study, researchers from Rush University in Chicago found that participants who “followed four out of five lifestyle behaviors over a six-year period had a 60 percent lower risk of developing Alzheimer's dementia when compared to people who practiced only one or none of these habits.” 

Another study from the University of California San Francisco reports that people who smoked had twice the risk of developing cognitive impairment as compared to non-smokers or to someone who had kicked the habit. Also a study out of the UK found that even those with an increased risk for cognitive decline who followed a healthier lifestyle had a 32% lower risk. 

So isn’t it time we all make an effort for better cognitive health as well as improve our overall health? At the MorningStar of Billings senior living community, we understand that a healthy lifestyle is important regardless of your age and we do our best to help our residents enjoy life on all levels. We are also blessed to have a team of individuals working for us who are guided by big hearts and feel privileged to serve seniors. Please contact us to learn more about the area’s most trusted independent living and assisted living. 

MorningStar Senior Living of Billings represents the finest in senior living with our unique mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest.” Our foundation is built on honoring God, valuing our seniors and hiring staff with a felt calling to serve in order to provide a true home for residents. Please visit our website to learn more about the area’s finest assisted living & independent living. 

Source: https://www.nbcnews.com/health/aging/can-alzheimer-s-be-stopped-five-lifestyle-behaviors-are-key-n1029441