Current status
Since dementia does not have one individual cause, it follows suit that there would not be one individual ‘cure’. As it stands, although research is progressing every day, there is no cure for dementia; rather there are medications that alleviate symptoms and allow many people to live healthy and fulfilling lives with dementia, for much longer.
It is worthwhile to keep up with ongoing dementia research from organisations such as Age UK, Alzheimer’s Society and Alzheimer’s Research UK, as well as the latest university studies which can all be easily researched online.
Is dementia becoming more common?
According to the World Health Organisation, about 50 million people worldwide are currently living with dementia: of this, Alzheimer’s Disease is the most common cause, contributing to 60 – 70% of cases. By 2030, the number of people with dementia is estimated to rise to 82 million. While this seems like a scary statistic, it is mainly due to the fact that we have an ageing population, and we are living longer and longer.
Prevention
While there is no guaranteed way to prevent yourself or a loved one from getting dementia, there are many lifestyle changes that have been proven to reduce your risk. Some risk factors are impossible to change, such as age and genetic factors, but there are many things that you can do in order to live a healthier lifestyle while reducing your risk of dementia, regardless of your age.
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Not smoking
- Reducing alcohol intake
- Reducing amount of processed meat in your diet
- Maintaining a healthy blood pressure level
- Exercising regularly
Can dementia be reversed?
As dementia is a degenerative illness, there is no way to reverse the progression of the illness. However, there are many ways to manage symptoms with medication. When you or a loved one receive a dementia diagnosis, this is something that you can discuss with your relevant medical professional.
For more information or if you wish to discuss care for your loved one please email care@greensleeves.org.uk