In todays society we spend a large chunk of our day taking care of and trying to improve our bodies, however we spend little time in taking the same diligent care of arguably are biggest asset, our brain.
According to an international study that was presented at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference in London last week, 1 in 3 cases of dementia could be prevented if more people looked after their brain health throughout their lives.
The study published in The Lancet journal lists the following nine key factors that can increase your chances of getting dementia.
- Mid-life hearing loss- responsible for 9% of the risk of dementia.
- Failing to complete secondary education- 8%
- Smoking- 5%
- Failing to treat depression early- 4%
- Physical inactivity- 3%
- Social Isolation- 2%
- High blood pressure- 2%
- Obesity- 1%
- Type 2 diabetes- 2%
We must take control of our brain health at an early age as many of the changes in the brain that cause dementia develop years before the official diagnosis. If we do not decide to invest more time in our brain health the forecast is that by 2050, 131 million people around the world could be living with dementia.
All of the aforementioned factors are considered modifiable which means we can do something about them! One socially interactive way to help utilize your brain and memory recall skills is with our Rememory Game. A great conversational card game that allows you to access stories from your past. Games such as this one can help increase and strengthen the brains networks which will increase the ability of the brain to function in later life despite any damage that may occur.
Put a stop to the false idea that dementia is inevitable for us all, and bring together a group of friends, family, grandkids or neighbors for an evening of fun with a little side of ‘brain pampering !
Zoe Gibney
