Second Opinion
A large majority of the adults who were polled said they take supplements or solve puzzles to keep their brains healthy — two strategies that have not been shown to be effective at enhancing memory or warding off dementia.
Second Opinion
A poor sense of smell is already known to be an early sign of dementia and Parkinson’s disease.
Second Opinion
The findings held true for both the healthy adults and those diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, although the seasonal differences were smaller among those with dementia.
Second Opinion
Older adults who successfully followed seven heart-healthy actions recommended by the American Heart Association were significantly less likely to develop dementia in their later years.
Second Opinion
“I was disappointed by the results, although I probably wasn’t completely surprised,” said Sarah Lamb, the study’s lead author and a researcher at Oxford University.
Mental Health & Addiction
The Dementia-Friendly Community concept was developed in the UK and has spread throughout the U.S. Some 70 Minnesota communities now have earned Dementia-Friendly designation.
Second Opinion
“There is no magic bullet,” said Mary Butler, one of the authors of the review and co-director of the Minnesota Evidence-based Practice Center.
Second Opinion
This report also marks a major change in thinking among dementia experts.
Second Opinion
Minnesota’s age-adjusted Alzheimer’s death rate rose from 21.1 per 100,000 people in 1999 to 24.2 in 2014 — a 14.5 percent increase.
Second Opinion
“Regular physical activity, such as walking, and a heart-healthy diet have much more evidence supporting their effectiveness for reducing dementia risk,” said co-author Frederick Schmitt.
