5 Alternative Methods for Staving Off Dementia

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Lowering Risks of Dementia in Seniors in Victoria, BC, Canada

Tactics for preventing dementia that work for one senior may not have the same effects on another. Instead, it might be worth trying some unconventional methods to stave off the condition. Victoria, BC, dementia care experts have put together a list of unique strategies your senior loved one can use to reduce his or her risk of dementia.

1. Install Water Filters

In the past, many homes were built with copper pipes and faucets, and being exposed to large quantities of this heavy metal can damage the brain. A 2013 study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences revealed copper actually fuels dementia and can trigger its onset. If completely replacing the pipes is not an option, your loved one should install a whole-home filtration system that extracts copper from his or her water supply. 

2. Stop Using Allergy Medication

A number of common painkillers and allergy drugs have been linked to the development of dementia. Many of these pills contain anticholinergic ingredients that physically alter how our brains process and organize data. Seniors with seasonal allergies should consider natural treatments such as essential oils, local honey, and vitamin supplements. 

3. Sleep in Supine Position

While we sleep, our brains undergo a waste-clearing process that removes damaged molecules and reorganizes the molecules we use daily. A study published in the Journal of Neuroscience found sleeping on the stomach could hamper this process and potentially lead to long-term damage. Sleeping on the side or back can increase the amount of oxygen that gets to your loved one’s brain by opening up the airways. 

4. Eat More Fish

Fresh fish contains two important fatty acids known as DHA and EPA. As we grow older, these acids boost our cognitive abilities, protect our memories, and prevent dementia. Seniors who do not regularly consume fish should consider taking a high-quality fish oil supplement that contains a large dose of omega-3 fatty acids. 

5. Consume Foods with Turmeric

A group of researchers hired by the World Health Organization discovered less than one percent of seniors living in rural India have Alzheimer’s or any other form of dementia. These researchers believe turmeric could be partially responsible for this phenomenon. Turmeric and many curry dishes contain a substance known as curcumin, which can protect the brain by preventing inflammation and other forms of damage.

In addition to the above suggestions, a program called the Cognitive Therapeutics Method (CTM) may help reduce your loved one’s risk of dementia. The senior care experts at Home Care Assistance designed the activities used in CTM to help slow cognitive decline and delay the onset of dementia. For more information on CTM and the elder care Victoria seniors count on, call one of our knowledgeable Care Managers today at (250) 592-4881.

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