Currently, there are no medications that can prevent Alzheimer’s. However, research suggest that certain lifestyle behaviors may reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s.
Below are the four best lifestyle changes you can make that may also reduce your risk of developing Alzheimer’s:
- Remain as physically active as possible
- Eat well
- Socialize regularly
- Exercise your brain
Okay, so we’ve all heard these before. But here’s what they have to do with Alzheimer’s…
First – physical activity and eating well.
Many studies have shown that having high blood pressure and/or high cholesterol can increase the risk of Alzheimer’s.
Does this surprise you?
If you think about it, it makes sense. Your brain is an organ just like your heart. In order for it to work properly, blood needs to flow smoothly.
High blood pressure is bad because it forces your heart to pump blood faster than it should.
High cholesterol is bad because cholesterol is a fat-like substance that builds up and slows down the flow of blood.
Physical activity and good eating habits can help to normalize your blood pressure and keep your cholesterol at a healthy level. Which, incidentially, is a total blood cholesterol (total means LDL, HDL & triglycerides) of below 200 mg/dL according to the American Heart Association.
Simply put, what’s good for your heart may also be good for your brain, or so science suggests.
Now let’s talk about socializing.
Research also suggests that people who frequently participate in social activities and maintain a number of social connections may also be reducing the risk of mental decline and the development of Alzheimer’s.
When I learned this fact I thought immediately about senior centers and Meals-on-Wheels.
Where I live, the threat of funding cuts for these two programs is fairly constant. And whenever the governor tries to pass cuts, seniors and their advocates cause an uproar.
One of the things that is always discussed as part of the argument to save the funding is that these programs offer seniors an opportunity to socialize and that this is important to their well-being.
The concern is echoed by the family caregivers I speak with as well.
They often tell me that their parents aren’t able to get out like they used to so that the card game they once played religiously or the day-trips they used to take with friends have become too difficult to do.
And at the same time, many seniors are coping with the death of their friends so that the circle of people with whom they socialize is shrinking too.
All of this is to say that if you are helping to care for an aging parent, then I acknowledges that there are distinct challenges when it comes to socialization.
But, like the signs say in my town when the advocates come out to fight for the social programs, Socialization is Important for Seniors! And if it also offers some sort of protection against Alzheimer’s, then I think it’s more than important - it’s vital.
If you are helping to care for an aging parent who doesn’t have enough chances to socialize, a few suggestions come to mind for how to change that.
1) Consider arranging for a friendly visitor. Almost every community has such a program and I’ve found that a good place to start a search is at the local church. Even if your parent isn’t religious, or practices a religion different than the one the church represents, this usually doesn’t matter. The friendly visitor will come anyway so long as your parent doesn’t object.
2) Look for a telephone support group for your parent. Many communities have these services and you can usually access them by calling your local social service agency. If not, there is still a way to use the phone to increase your parent’s socialization. Encourage him or her to call friends or other family members by phone. My great aunt Ellen who is 95, absolutely loves keeping in touch with her many neices and nephews this way. Visits aren’t always possible, but phone contact? That’s easy.
If your parent is able to get out of the house, encourage a senior center or even a book club. Both are good bets for increasing his/her opportunities to socialize. And if he or she is active, why not suggest volunteering?
I’ve met many seniors who derive great personal satisfaction from the volunteer work that they do. And the sense of social connectedness to others that they get? Well that’s pure gravy.
If your parent is computer-savvy (or even if not – a computer class would rank up there with a book club on my list of ways to meet people with whom to socialize), there are also countless ways to meet people online too.
Did you know that 73% of Baby Boomers maintain a Facebook profile? It’s true – and I say more power to them!
Okay last one – exercise your brain. 
You may have heard this before, but one of the best ways to exercise your brain is by completing crossword puzzles.
Why?
Well, because thinking about the words helps to stimulate your brain. And if you’re like me, and a crossword puzzle takes a good bit of time to complete, your brain is being required to maintain that level of stimulation for a longer duration.
If you’ve ever taken a yoga class, then you understand this principle. Not only do you need to get into position to do yoga, but you have to hold that position until the drill sergeant – I mean yoga instructor - tells you to let go. 
Also, the more you complete crossword and other puzzles, the more you are exercising your brain.
We all seem to understand this when it comes to the muscles in our body (e.g. the more we lift weights, the stronger we will be). But it’s important to know that this principle may also apply to our brains and may reduce our risk of developing Alzheimer’s.
So let’s get to work!
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