Dementia Prevention: How Seniors Can Support Brain Health Every Day
From focusing on brain-healthy meals to regular cognitive engagement and staying socially active, these are some critical strategies seniors should implement for dementia prevention. Just as crucial is getting enough physical activity.
Dementia and cognitive decline prevention has become even more crucial nowadays, given that recent research has revealed a much higher risk than what experts previously predicted.
According to NYU Langone Health, researchers found that the risk of dementia after age 55 among U.S. adults is 42%. It's more than twice what older studies reported. By 2060, experts project the number of new dementia cases to rise to at least 1 million.
The kind team at Bellara, our senior living community in Hayward, CA (a charming city fondly called "Heart of the Bay" and is just about 25 miles southeast of San Francisco), will share crucial information on brain health habits that can help lower dementia risk.
What Causes Dementia?
Dementia, an umbrella term for conditions that result in a decline in mental function, results from the loss of or damage to nerve cells and their connections in the brain.
The exact reason people develop dementia depends on the type they have. Not all types of dementia have known causes, either.
Take Alzheimer's disease (AD), for instance. Experts have yet to establish all specific causes of AD, although some cases appear to have a relation to genetic changes.
What Are Some Ways to Help Prevent Dementia?
Dementia prevention involves a multi-faceted approach that combines healthy habits, including:
- Focusing on brain-healthy meals designed for optimal nutrition and aging gracefully
- Engaging in regular cognitive activities that support senior brain training
- Maintaining an active social life
- Getting enough physical activity
By implementing such healthy lifestyle habits, seniors in Hayward, CA, can help their brains and bodies withstand the test of time. It empowers them to stay physically and mentally fit, supporting their journey to aging with good health and grace.
Focusing on Brain-Healthy Meals
Brain-healthy meals, such as those promoted by the Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay (MIND) diet, provide cognitive health and memory support for seniors by helping:
- Reduce inflammation and oxidative stress in cells
- Boosting blood flow to the brain
- Limiting the build-up of harmful proteins (such as beta-amyloid plaques)
Studies back the benefits of the MIND diet. According to the University of Hawai'i Cancer Center, for instance, a study found that people who followed this dietary pattern were significantly less likely to develop dementia or AD.
Some examples of foods recommended by the MIND diet include:
- Green leafy vegetables, such as collard greens, kale, and spinach
- Other vegetables and fruits, particularly berries like strawberries and blueberries
- Whole grains, nuts, beans, and legumes
- Olive oil
- Seafood, especially fatty fish like mackerel, salmon, and sardines
- Poultry (not fried)
Engaging in Regular Cognitive Activities
Cognitive engagement, or being mentally active, keeps the brain thinking and working hard. When you expose and challenge your brain to new things, it builds new connections between its brain cells, which help make it more nimble.
You want to have a nimble brain because it can shield you from brain disease and injury. According to the Alzheimer's Association, this reduces your odds of developing dementia or AD.
Staying Socially Active
Like cognitive engagement, staying socially active is also a critical dementia prevention strategy, as it helps keep the brain thinking and working hard. Seniors in Hayward, CA, have many ways to lead an active social life, including:
- Visiting friends and families
- Going to church
- Attending parties with loved ones
- Playing bingo
According to the Fisher Center for Alzheimer's Research Foundation, in older adults who developed dementia or severe memory problems, those who regularly socialized developed memory impairments five years later, on average, than their peers who were less socially active.
Getting Enough Exercise
Getting enough physical activity not only benefits the muscles, bones, lungs, and heart. It can also do the brain a lot of wonder, helping with many cognitive functions, from memory to thinking, problem-solving, reasoning, and strategizing.
Indeed, the U.S. CDC says that regular physical activity can boost brain health. Even short bursts of exercise can already help improve brain functions like thinking and memory. The health agency also says it can reduce one's risk of cognitive decline and dementia.
From walking to swimming, tai chi, and yoga, these are all examples of aerobic exercises for seniors to keep their brains and bodies active.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are the Early Warning Signs of Dementia?
Memory problems are among the earliest signs of dementia. As the disease progresses, the memory impairment becomes severe enough to disrupt daily life.
Trouble with words and difficulty with familiar tasks are also common indications. Withdrawal and personality changes can occur, too, and so can confusion about locations and times, and in some cases, even vision problems.
People with dementia usually forget recent events, have difficulties managing bills and medications, or get lost in areas they were once familiar with. They may also show unusual irritability, anxiety, or depression.
If your loved one exhibits such signs, and they're also progressing, even worsening, it may already be a good time to consider seeking memory care services.
Is Dementia Reversible?
Most cases and types of dementia, such as AD, are progressive and irreversible. Irreversible here means the damage the brain has already sustained is no longer "fixable."
However, there are some secondary causes of dementia, like vitamin deficiencies, infections, and thyroid issues, that are reversible, particularly if caught and treated early.
Time to Adopt These Dementia Prevention Strategies
Dementia prevention combines brain-healthy meals with regular cognitive engagement, social activities, and exercise. While these strategies don't guarantee 100% protection, they can help minimize one's risk of developing brain disease.
Let Bellara, our senior living community in Hayward, CA, help you in your journey of graceful aging. We're proud to be part of Discovery Senior Living, which garnered the #1 spot for customer satisfaction in the J.D. Power 2025 U.S. Senior Living Satisfaction Study.
Our retirement village delivers exceptional amenities and services, from personalized care to restaurant-style dining. We also have a resident-inspired social calendar packed with educational and leisure activities. Our on-site fitness center can help you stay active, too.
Speak with our team today to book a tour and learn more about our community's $99 first-month's rent promo!