Nearly half of dementia cases may be preventable, doctor explains

Key wellness strategies to help prevent dementia (from Dr. Adela Chima)

• Stay socially engaged

  • Spend time with family and maintain community involvement.
  • Try new learning/activities (e.g., learning a language or a musical instrument).

• Exercise / physical activity

  • Physical activity is strongly supported as protective for brain health (with even stronger evidence in newer guidance).

• Limit alcohol use

  • There’s no “safe” amount of alcohol, but limiting it to social use may help reduce risk.

• Use a “multi-domain” approach (combine multiple habits)

  • Dementia prevention isn’t about one change—combine several, such as:
    • Physical activity
    • Wellness/doctor visits to manage health markers
    • Community engagement/social connection

• Manage cardiovascular/metabolic risks

  • Control high blood pressure (risk is higher when uncontrolled).
  • Control diabetes (risk is higher when uncontrolled).
  • Keep cholesterol controlled.
  • Follow lifestyle changes and medications as needed with regular medical care.

• Address midlife obesity

  • If overweight/obese in your 40s/50s, talk with your doctor about interventions.
  • This may include diet changes, and sometimes medication depending on the individual.

Self-care / action steps you can take today

• Schedule and keep up with doctor visits to monitor and control:

  • blood pressure
  • diabetes
  • cholesterol

• Adopt multiple brain-healthy habits at once, especially:

  • physical activity
  • social engagement/learning
  • reducing alcohol use

• If you have diabetes or hypertension: focus on getting them under control (not just having the condition).

Presenters / Sources

• Presenter/Guest: Dr. Adela Chima, geriatrician at Endeavor Health
• Source referenced: World Health Organization (WHO) report/guidelines (updated from 2019)