Change Your Style, Change Your Life
Dear Caregivers,
The evidence keeps mounting that making changes in how you live can have a significant effect on how your brain and mind age over time.
A new study published last month looked at more than two thousand adults, all over 60, who were at the time healthy but were at high risk for dementia due to their ethnicity or family history.
The people in the study were assigned to two different types of “lifestyle intervention:” One group was given a self-guided program with general information about changing their diets, exercise, and social interactions. The second group was put into a more intensive regime that included a defined program of regular exercise, eating a particular kind of diet, and working through a suite of cognitive brain-training programs. Most importantly, this group met regularly with coaches and their fellow participants to assess their progress.
The results show that, while both groups showed gains in preserving their overall cognitive skills, the group in the more programmed lifestyle improved far more, demonstrating a cognitive performance that was roughly equivalent to people who were several years younger.
The study is the strongest argument yet that preserving brain function requires more than good intentions. It requires habits that are practiced over time: moving more, eating a healthy diet, staying connected to your community, and challenging yourself intellectually. The study also showed that regular support and accountability from a coach helped participants stay on track with their goals.
The principle that people do better with guidance and encouragement is central to NAN’s work with caregivers. Our NAN Navigators provide their own type of coaching including education, organization, encouragement, and practical guidance so caregivers feel less alone and better equipped to manage the challenges ahead.
Here are some more resources detailing how your lifestyle affects your brain:
The Mind Diet: Meal Planning to Fuel the Brain:
The MIND diet is associated with a slower rate of cognitive decline and a reduced risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. Here's a guide.
The Benefits of Socializing:
People who socially connect with others have improved brain function, such as better memory, and are less likely to develop dementia than those who are more socially isolated. Here are some tips for increasing social engagement.
Motivating Your Loved One to Do Physical Activity:
Exercise can have enormous benefits. However, keeping your loved one with Alzheimer's disease motivated to exercise and do physical therapy can be a real challenge. After all, Alzheimer’s is a progressive disease that leads to loss of memory issues, mood swings, and multiple physical limitations. Here are some strategies you can use to encourage them.
Best,
Rosemary D Laird, MD, MHSA
Founder and Chief Medical Officer
“Change is hard at first, messy in the middle and gorgeous at the end."
— Robin Sharma
