While there is currently no medicine for dementia, studies show that lifestyle change is effective in slowing the onset or progression of the disease.¹ The link between lifestyle and onset is so strong that being less active cognitively and physically during mid-life, increases 250% the incidence of developing Alzheimer’s Disease (AD).² It is hereby important for families to understand how much and what kind of change is necessary for efficacy. According to the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference, a two-year clinical trial has indicated that for brain health and improving health conditions, the types of lifestyle changes encompass four main areas: physical exercise, nutrition and diet, cognitive activity, and social engagement.³ In addition to positively modifying lifestyle behaviors, controlling risk factors associated with diabetes, obesity, hypertension, depression, sleep, alcohol, and smoking reduces cognitive decline.⁴

The bottom line is that staying active is pertinent to the quality of life of any person. For an older adult, the issue is even more pressing, because sedentary lifestyles may prove to increase health costs in the long run or moving out of the home, which is against the wishes of most retired persons, according to AARP.