Abstract
Dementia is a widespread problem in aging research. However, the main problem is that the population has a relatively low level of awareness of preventive measures that can help them avoid being included in the risk group. It is also worth noting that scientific research on dementia and its prevention still carries the status of ongoing, as non-drug approaches to this task are increasingly emerging.
At the moment, the leading factor is maintaining a healthy lifestyle. This aspect includes activities and physical activities that support the normal functioning of the human body. Moreover, it is essential to maintain a proper, balanced diet. Research also highlights the development of cognitive abilities through continuous learning.
Keywords: dementia, prevention, healthy lifestyle.
Introduction
Aging is characterized by various health abnormalities that affect not only the body’s physical functions but also its cognitive ones. One of the most common issues is dementia, which is increasingly common in the elderly population. The main problem is that the population has a low level of knowledge about this disease, and even less about ways to prevent it. Therefore, this research will focus on approaches to prevent such diseases in older people, such as dementia, to increase awareness.
Discussion
This topic is of particular interest to me for several reasons. First of all, I am interested in the processes that occur in the human body during adulthood and the changes they undergo. Moreover, dementia is of interest to me as a disease, as I increasingly come across various articles about it and cases of famous people with it. Thus, studying approaches to prevent this disease may provide me with an opportunity to expand my knowledge in this field.
At the moment, despite the low level of awareness of the population regarding such a disease as dementia, there is a relatively large amount of research. Before proceeding to the consideration of this information, it is essential to have an understanding of what this health deviation is in older people. Dementia is defined as “loss of cognitive functioning — thinking, remembering, and reasoning — to such an extent that it interferes with a person’s daily life and activities” (“What is dementia? Symptoms, types, and diagnosis,” n.d., para. 1). It follows from this statement that the primary purpose of preventive measures is to provide care for a person’s cognitive function, which can be done in several ways.
Even though research in the field of approaches for prevention of dementia still has the status of ongoing, the first critical approach that can have a positive contribution is a healthy lifestyle. This aspect implies adherence to a healthy and balanced diet and regular physical activity. Research indicated that “increasing physical activity is a promising non-pharmacological intervention to delay the cognitive manifestations of aging and to reduce the risk of dementia” (Alty et al., 2020, p. 5). It is worth noting that for the elderly population, this kind of measure may involve attending specialized programs and training or aerobics. The main thing in this context is to lead an active lifestyle, which supports the body’s healthy functioning.
Special attention should be paid to nutrition to prevent dementia. Dominguez et al. (2021) stated that “combinations of foods and nutrients, diets comprising mostly plant-based unprocessed or minimally processed foods and nutrients are the ideal way to counteract the decline in cognitive functions” (p. 39). Therefore, following proper nutrition principles can significantly reduce the risk of cognitive problems. In this context, it is also worth noting that alcohol consumption negatively affects the well-being of individuals and puts them at risk of the disease under study.
In addition to maintaining a healthy lifestyle, research draws attention to the impact of a person’s life on a predisposition to dementia. Grande et al. (2020) indicated that “higher levels of education can be considered a proxy for lifelong cognitive enhancing activity, which may maintain cognitive function until later in life and delay the onset of dementia” (p. 3). This is because, in the process of acquiring and processing knowledge, the basal level of cognition increases.
Conclusion
In conclusion, dementia is one of the most common problems affecting individuals in adulthood, and it requires disseminating knowledge among them about ways to help prevent it. Researching approaches to preventing dementia has a particularly valuable impact on my nursing practice and my patient population. This is because it helped expand my knowledge of this deviation in the cognitive system. Hence, I will be able to treat elderly patients more effectively in my practice and advise them on how they can help themselves to limit the possibility of developing dementia. As future directions for research, I would suggest further investigation into how different activities, such as educational or occupational types, affect the risk of the disease under study.
References
Alty, J., Farrow, M., & Lawler, K. (2020). Exercise and dementia prevention. Practical Neurology, 20(3), 234-240.
Dominguez, L. J., Veronese, N., Vernuccio, L., Catanese, G., Inzerillo, F., Salemi, G., & Barbagallo, M. (2021). Nutrition, physical activity, and other lifestyle factors in the prevention of cognitive decline and dementia. Nutrients, 13(11).
Grande, G., Qiu, C., & Fratiglioni, L. (2020). Prevention of dementia in an ageing world: Evidence and biological rationale. Ageing Research Reviews, 64.
What is dementia? Symptoms, types, and diagnosis. (n.d.). National Institute on Aging.