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Lifestyle Adjustments
INTRODUCTION
Living with memory loss can be challenging. It is important to take steps to be as healthy as possible. Healthy food provides the fuel and good nutrients that your body needs to function efficiently, maintain general health and wellness and provide energy for your daily activities.
Lifestyle choices such as healthy eating, stress management, physical and mental activity and a supportive social network can improve quality of life, improve the brain’s ability to sustain long-term health, may help to slow the progression of the memory loss and improve your capacity to cope with the changes that you are experiencing.
HEALTHY EATING
A healthy diet is fundamental to healthy living, and good nutrition can reduce incidence of diseases that are themselves risk factors for dementia, such as hypertension and type 2 diabetes.
However, the data establishing associations between nutrition and cognitive health remains inconclusive. Observational studies suggest that nutritional factors have a potential cognitive benefit. Systematic reviews of randomised trials of specific dietary and nutritional supplements however, have reported little to no effects on cognitive outcomes.
At the present moment the main recommendation is to eat a healthy diet consistent with the Canadian Food Guide: Healthy Eating for Seniors.
View Healthy Eating Resources
STAY ACTIVE
Living with memory loss can be challenging. It is important to take steps to be as active and healthy as possible. Research shows that there are many things that you can do to enhance health and quality of life when living with memory loss. Physical activity reduces stress, helps maintain health and improves sleep and general quality of life.
It helps to maintain healthy weight, lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels as well as prevent muscle loss weak bones and health complications associated with inactivity. Physical activity also helps to improve mood, reduce the risk of depression and provide a sense of social, psychological and emotional well-being. Regular physical activity combined with cognitive stimulation has been shown to delay or reduce the risk of cognitive decline.
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REDUCE STRESS
Living with dementia can be challenging. As dementia progresses, it impairs the cognitive skills and functions of patients, it increases dependency and can influence the sense of burden and levels of stress among caregivers. Caregiver stress can affect the care quality received by patients, leading to complications and poor health outcomes.
Supporting a person with dementia requires time and energy. While it can be a rewarding experience, it can also be demanding and stressful. Knowing and recognizing signs of stress in yourself or someone you care about is the first step towards taking action.
View Resources for Reducing Stress
SOCIAL STIMULATION
Living with memory loss can be challenging. It is important to take steps to be as healthy as you can be. Lifestyle choices such as healthy eating, stress management, physical and mental activity, and supportive social network can improve quality of life, improve brain’s ability to sustain long-term health, may help to slow the progression of memory loss, and improve your capacity to cope with the changes that you are experiencing.
View Social Stimulation Resources
SLEEP
Information coming soon.
View Sleep Resources
Sleep Handout: Printable PDF