Preventing Dementia

The conceptualization of dementia has changed dramatically in recent years with the claim that, through early detection and by controlling several risk factors, a prevention of dementia is possible. Although encouraging and providing hope against this feared condition, this claim is open to scrutiny. This volume looks at how this new conceptualization ignores many of the factors which influence a dementia sufferers’ prognosis, including their history with education, food and exercise as well as their living in different epistemic cultures. The central aim is to question the concept of prevention and analyze its impact on aging people and aging societies.

Societies around the world are concerned about dementia and the other forms of cognitive impairment that affect many older adults. We now know that brain changes typically begin years before people show symptoms, which suggests a window of opportunity to prevent or delay the onset of these conditions. Emerging evidence that the prevalence of dementia is declining in high-income countries offers hope that public health interventions will be effective in preventing or delaying cognitive impairments. Until recently, the research and clinical communities have focused primarily on understanding and treating these conditions after they have developed. Thus, the evidence base on how to prevent or delay these conditions has been limited at best, despite the many claims of success made in popular media and advertising. Today, however, a growing body of prevention research is emerging. Preventing Cognitive Decline and Dementia: A Way Forward assesses the current state of knowledge on interventions to prevent cognitive decline and dementia, and informs future research in this area. This report provides recommendations of appropriate content for inclusion in public health messages from the National Institute on Aging.

New Developments in Dementia Prevention Research addresses a dearth of knowledge about dementia prevention and shows the importance of considering the broader social impact of certain risk factors, including the role we each play in our own cognitive health throughout the lifespan. The book draws on primary and secondary research in order to investigate the relationship between modifiable factors, including vascular and psychosocial risks, that may affect the incidence of dementia. Bringing together world-leading expertise from applied science, medicine, psychology, health promotion, epidemiology, health economics, social policy and primary care, the book compares and contrasts scientific and service developments across a range of settings. Each chapter presents these themes in a way that will ensure best practice and further research in the field of dementia prevention is disseminated successfully throughout the world. Perhaps most importantly, chapters also question what type of social responsibility we are prepared to embrace in order to address the challenges inherent in dementia prevalence. New Developments in Dementia Prevention Research includes contributions from leading authorities in brain health and dementia prevention and provides an essential contribution to the discourse on dementia prevention. It will be of great interest to academics, researchers and postgraduate students engaged in the study of the psychological and social aspects of aging and dementia.

This booklet summarizes what scientists have learned so far and where research is headed. There is no definitive evidence yet about what can prevent Alzheimer's or age-related cognitive decline. What we do know is that a healthy lifestyle-one that includes a healthy diet, physical activity, appropriate weight, and no smoking-can maintain and improve overall health and well-being. Making healthy choices can also lower the risk of certain chronic diseases, like heart disease and diabetes, and scientists are very interested in the possibility that a healthy lifestyle might have a beneficial effect on Alzheimer's as well. In the meantime, as research continues to pinpoint what works to prevent Alzheimer's, people of all ages can benefit from taking positive steps to get and stay healthy.

Over 35 million people have dementia today. Each year 4.6 million new cases occur world-wide -- one new case every 7 seconds. Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia. Parkinson's disease, another progressive brain disorder, affects about 4 million people world-wide. Millions more suffer with other neurodegenerative disorders. The number of people affected by these destructive diseases continues to increase every year. Dementia and other forms of neurodegeneration are not a part of the normal ageing process. The brain is fully capable of functioning normally for a lifetime, regardless of how long a person lives. While ageing is a risk factor for neurodegeneration, it is not the cause! Dementia and other neurodegenerative disorders are disease processes that can be prevented and successfully treated. This book outlines a program using ketone therapy and diet that is backed by decades of medical and clinical research and has proven successful in restoring mental function and improving both brain and overall health. You will learn how to prevent and even reverse symptoms associated with Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), multiple sclerosis (MS), Huntington's disease, epilepsy, diabetes, stroke, and various forms of dementia. The information in this book is useful not only for those who are suffering from neurodegenerative disease but for anyone who wants to be spared from ever encountering one or more of these devastating afflictions. These diseases don't just happen overnight. They take years, often decades, to develop. In the case of Alzheimer's disease, approximately 70 percent the brain cells responsible for memory are destroyed before symptoms become noticeable. You can stop Alzheimer's and other neurodegenerative diseases before they take over your life. The best time to start is now.

Drs. William Rodman Shankle and Daniel G. Amen reveal the latest research and treatment methods for preventing, delaying, and treating the devastation of Alzheimer's disease.

"For the first time, those at the front lines of care have access to a single source for a comprehensive set of practical tools to effectively address distressing and harmful interactions between residents with dementia. This prevalent but under-recognized public health problem in long-term care homes results in serious consequences, including psychological harm, physical injuries, and even death. After examining the potential consequences and manifestations of these behavioral expressions, readers learn how to identify the contributing factors, causes, unmet needs, and triggering events that commonly lead to these episodes. With an emphasis on person-directed care practices, this book describes numerous psychosocial strategies to use for prevention and de-escalation prior to, during, and after episodes of harmful resident-to-resident incidents.This valuable resource will help inform training programs for direct care staff, interdisciplinary teams, and LTC administrators. In addition to cost savings from reduced resident-to-resident incidents, care providers will see significant improvements in resident and staff well-being"--