Dementia Prevention UK

❤️ Personal post - Why I’m Such a Strong Believer in Prevention 💔During the past few weeks, I’ve had to manage some challenging news from my family. The only thing that kept me grounded and allowed me to show up as the best version of myself was sticking to my exercise and nutrition routine. These were two areas I felt in control of, and they gave me a sense of security during an otherwise turbulent time. 💔Unfortunately, the emotional stress took a toll on my health, and I ended up with a chest infection. On top of that, I developed an allergy to the antibiotics prescribed. Yet again, what helped me through it all was my commitment to exercise and breathing exercises. I modified my workouts but knew how important it was to keep moving daily. 💔Then came knee surgery—something I had been looking forward to after dealing with an old injury. Meditation, breathing exercises, and movement kept me going. ❤️Every tool I had invested in during “sunny days” came to my rescue when I needed them most. Because I had built upper body strength, I could lift myself; because I worked on my lungs, I could breathe better; because I kept exercising, my body could heal more effectively. ❤️Healing doesn’t happen in a vacuum. It’s something we prepare for every day. I know that without these reserves, my physical and mental health could have taken a much bigger hit. ❤️ The message is simple: take care of yourself now. Do as much or as little as you can, but do something small every day to build your reserves—you never know when you’ll need them.   #PreventionIsBetterThanCure #SelfCare #MentalHealth #PhysicalHealth #Resilience #HealthAndWellbeing #MindBodyConnection #FitnessForLife #DailyHabits #HealthyLiving #HealingJourney #StrengthInRoutine #BalanceAndWellness

***The Phantom of Physical Activity: Hauntingly Healthy Exercise***     Meet the Phantom of Physical Activity, a ghostly figure who knows the secret to a long-lasting brain. Physical exercise is one of the best ways to boost brain health, helping to improve blood flow to the brain and reduce inflammation. Activities like brisk walking, dancing, or even gardening for 30 minutes a few times a week can slash your risk of dementia. Exercise doesn’t have to be scary—find a routine that feels like fun, not a chore. The endorphins released during physical activity can be a treat for both your brain and mood! Spooky Tip:     Channel your inner zombie and do a “zombie shuffle” walk. It’s fun, and you’re getting your heart rate up at the same time! #Halloween #BrainHealth #DementiaPrevention #MemoryMonsters #HealthyLiving #CognitiveHealth

🌟 Exciting News! 🌟 We are thrilled to announce that, for the second year in a row, Dementia Research UK has awarded us a research grant to continue our work in dementia prevention! This grant will allow us to expand our efforts in raising awareness about risk reduction strategies, helping more people achieve longevity and reduce their risk of dementia. Thank you to Dementia Research UK for supporting our mission and for believing in the work we do! Together, we’re building a healthier, more resilient future. 💙 #DementiaPrevention #ResearchGrant #RiskReduction #HealthAwareness #Longevity #DementiaAwareness #Grateful #dementiaresearchuk

***The Beast of Brain Games: Puzzles and Mental Challenges***    Imagine a friendly monster, lurking in the shadows with a deck of cards, a crossword puzzle, or a Sudoku book. This Brainy Beast feasts on mental challenges, and it’s a powerful ally in the fight against cognitive decline. Studies show that engaging in activities like puzzles, memory games, and learning new skills can keep your mind sharp. Just 15-20 minutes a day spent on brain games can help “scare away” the cognitive fog that creeps in as we age. Spooky Tip:     Try a Halloween-themed word search or crossword puzzle to keep things festive! #Halloween #BrainHealth #DementiaPrevention #MemoryMonsters #HealthyLiving #CognitiveHealth

***Memory Monsters: Scaring Away Cognitive Decline This Halloween***     I love Halloween! It’s such a smart way for us to face our fears in a fun, lighthearted way. 🎃👻 This year, I thought it would be a nice opportunity to connect Halloween themes with dementia prevention. 💡 Stay tuned for our “Trick or Treat” bag of brain-boosting tips and tricks to help keep your mind sharp and protect against cognitive decline. 🧠🍬 Happy Halloween! 🎃👻🎉 #MemoryMonsters #BrainHealthTreats #ScareAwayDementia #HealthyMindHalloween #FightDementia #BrainBoosters #HalloweenBrainTips #CognitiveHealth #Halloween #BrainHealth #DementiaPrevention #MemoryMonsters #HealthyLiving #CognitiveHealth

>>>Blame, Shame, and Guilt in Dementia Prevention: Let’s Change the Narrative<<< When it comes to dementia prevention, it's easy to feel blame, shame, or guilt—especially on days when life takes over, and we can’t do everything we’d planned. Prevention isn’t linear. Some days we’re all in, making healthy choices, staying active, and managing stress. Other days, it’s a victory just to keep prevention in mind. And that’s okay. Every small step towards a healthier lifestyle counts. Prevention isn’t about perfection; it’s about making mindful choices when we can, and being kind to ourselves when we can’t. By keeping prevention in our thoughts, we’re making progress. So let’s shift the focus from achieving perfection to simply moving forward. Let’s support each other on this journey—whatever form it takes. Progress, however small, is something to celebrate. #DementiaPrevention #Wellbeing #PositiveMindset #MentalHealthMatters #HealthyLiving #ProgressNotPerfection

#HealthLiteracy #CommunityHealth #DementiaPrevention #PublicHealth #EdmontonGreenLibrary #CommunityEngagement #HealthyCommunities #BrainHealth #HealthEducation

⁉️ Is it ADHD/ADD or Early Signs of Dementia? Recognising the Difference Last week, as part of Dementia Awareness Month, I was invited to give a talk to people living with ADHD/ADD. One of the most common questions I was asked was: How do I know if I have dementia, especially when ADHD/ADD can also cause memory issues? It’s a great question, particularly because many in my age group and beyond were never diagnosed with ADHD/ADD in their younger years. They’ve often masked their challenges with coping techniques. Now, as these techniques seem less effective, they wonder whether it's due to ADHD/ADD becoming more severe, or if it might be the early signs of dementia. To help assess cognitive health, I typically ask a few questions. These won’t provide a diagnosis, but they might give some clarity on whether further steps are needed: ✔️Why now? Why are you suddenly concerned about your cognitive ability? Did something specific happen, like getting lost or finding it harder to focus? ✔️Life events: Have you experienced something significant, like losing your job, a loved one falling ill, or increased financial stress? ✔️Past techniques: Are you using the same coping techniques, or have you developed new shortcuts because you feel more time-pressured or stressed? ✔️Changes in your life: Have you noticed these challenges for a while, or was it pointed out by others, such as your partner or colleagues? ✔️Health changes: Have you been unwell recently, started new medications, or changed your daily routine (sleep, diet, etc.)? ✔️Cognitive effort: Can you still focus and achieve your cognitive goals when you try your best and remove distractions? ✔️Seeking support: Have you asked for help with new techniques? Have you tried them consistently? If the issues seem to stem from a recent life event or stressor, it might just be a temporary imbalance, and you could benefit from managing that stress constructively. However, if there’s been no significant change in your life and your usual coping strategies are failing, it could mean your brain is changing with age, and new techniques may be required. Give these new approaches at least two months before concluding anything about cognitive decline. If nothing has changed, and you’ve tried new methods with no success, consider when during the day you find it hardest to manage your cognitive tasks—there may be subtle factors like diet, light, or hydration affecting your performance. In the end, if there’s no obvious reason and things aren’t improving, it might be worth seeking a referral to explore whether you’re experiencing normal cognitive ageing or the early signs of dementia. Either way, remember that there’s plenty you can do to help yourself, and if you’re worried, don’t hesitate to reach out. #DementiaPrevention #Forgetfulness #BrainBoosters #FightDementia #MemoryMatters #ADHD #ADD

Bottom Line: Prevention Works! 🧠💪 When it comes to dementia, one thing is clear: prevention works. While policymakers have a crucial role in shaping health policies and promoting research, each of us can also make a difference in preventing dementia. What Can Policy Makers Do? Policymakers need to step up their efforts to promote and fund dementia research, improve public health initiatives, and create environments that support healthy lifestyles. They must prioritise learning from the latest research, understanding the risk factors, and implementing policies that encourage early intervention and prevention. Our Role in Dementia Prevention But prevention isn’t just the responsibility of governments and organisations. We all have a part to play. By making informed lifestyle choices—like staying active, eating a balanced diet, engaging in social activities, and keeping our minds sharp—we can all contribute to reducing the risk of dementia. Together, We Can Make a Difference Combining the right policies with individual action creates a powerful force against dementia. Let’s encourage policymakers to do more, learn more, and influence more. But let’s also commit to doing our part. Small changes in our daily habits can lead to significant impacts on our brain health. Remember: Prevention is Powerful! Let’s work together to create a future where dementia is less common and quality of life is higher. Prevention truly is the best strategy! #DementiaPrevention #PublicHealth #HealthyLiving #PolicyChange #CommunityAction #BrainHealth

Women's Dementia and HRT: Key Considerations for Risk Reduction 💭 After diving into the recent studies and reports on the role of Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) in dementia risk reduction, here are my key takeaways: 1. Consider Timing of HRT Initiation: Research by Whitmer et al. (2011) emphasises the importance of timing when starting HRT. Initiating HRT close to the onset of menopause may help reduce dementia risk, likely due to its neuroprotective effects during a "critical window" around menopause. 2. Evaluate the Type and Duration of HRT: Pourhadi et al. (2023) highlight that prolonged use of HRT, especially combined estrogen-progestogen therapy, is linked to an increased risk of dementia. It is advisable to consider shorter durations and carefully select the type of hormone therapy, potentially opting for estrogen-only therapy in some cases to minimise risks. 3. Personalised Approach to HRT: Given the varied findings across studies, a personalised approach to HRT is crucial for reducing dementia risk. Factors such as age at menopause, time since menopause, type of hormone therapy, and overall health conditions should all be considered. 4. Minimise Late Initiation: Both studies indicate that starting HRT many years after menopause can increase dementia risk. To potentially reduce this risk, HRT should ideally be initiated closer to the menopausal transition. 5. Further Research and Discussion with Healthcare Providers: There is still much to learn about the relationship between HRT and dementia risk. It’s essential for women to have comprehensive discussions with their healthcare providers to weigh the benefits and risks of HRT based on their individual health profiles. Overall Recommendation: Hormone replacement therapy should be approached thoughtfully for dementia risk reduction, with a focus on the timing of initiation, type of therapy, and duration of use. Early initiation near menopause onset may offer protective effects, but caution is advised with long-term use, particularly with combined therapies. A personalised and informed approach is key to achieving the best outcomes. #WomensHealth #DementiaPrevention #HormoneTherapy #Menopause #Healthcare #PersonalisedMedicine