Preventing Dementia (2)

During week 2 we learnt about risk factors for dementia.

·        Dementia has both modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors

·        The non-modifiable risk factors (those we can’t change) are age and genetics.

·        The modifiable risk factors are the ones we can change.

·        The seven key risk factors that are modifiable are:

1.       Midlife hypertension

2.       Midlife obesity

3.       Smoking

4.       Physical inactivity

5.       Low level of education

6.       Diabetes

7.       Depression

·        A risk index has been developed by several leading researchers in dementia and Alzheimer’s. You can answer simple questions and assess your own risks of dementia by completing this short survey at https://anuadri.anu.edu.au/. The site also offers suggestions to reduce your own risk.

·        Studies of coffee and turmeric so far are undecided on whether they reduce dementia risk- with some studies showing positive results but others showing no positive benefit.