Bhg
  • Shop
  • News
  • Food
  • DIY
  • Garden
  • Renovating
  • Decorating
  • Health
  • TV
  • Hard to Find
Bhg
  • Shop
  • News
  • Food
  • DIY
  • Garden
  • Renovating
  • Decorating
  • Health
  • TV
  • Hard to Find
Subscribe
  1. Home
  2. Health

9 things you can do to lower your risk of dementia

According to the latest research. - by Olivia Hart
  • 14 Aug 2020

People are living longer than ever nowadays and while we plan for retirement financially, we don’t necessarily factor our health into those plans. 

WATCH: Here are some things you might not know about dementia 

When it comes to dementia, it turns out there are twelve major factors of our everyday life that are causing 40% of worldwide cases. And they’re all preventable.

Medical journal The Lancet lists the twelve risk as: Less education, hypertension, hearing impairment, smoking, obesity, depression, physical inactivity, diabetes, low social contact, excessive alcohol consumption, traumatic brain injury, and air pollution.

While The Lancet admits there are still gaps in knowledge surrounding dementia, their ambition is to create more evidence-based resources to better guide people through stages of prevention, detection, and diagnosis. 

“Although we have more to learn about effectiveness, avoiding or delaying even a proportion of potentially modifiable dementias should be a national priority for all.”

It's likely most people would identify with one of the twelve factors, so by making simple lifestyle changes, whether it lowers your risk of dementia or not, you'll at least get a bit fitter and healthier along the way. 

Doctor holding hands with dementia patient
Getty

To better address these risks, The Lancet outlines 9 major changes that individuals and policymakers should better prioritise to lower rates of dementia.

  1. Aim to maintain the systolic blood pressure of 130 mm Hg or less in midlife from around age 40 years.
  2. Encourage the use of hearing aids for hearing loss and reduce hearing loss by protecting ears from high noise levels.
  3. Reduce exposure to air pollution and second-hand tobacco smoke.
  4. Prevent head injury (particularly by targeting high-risk occupations and transport)
  5. Prevent alcohol misuse and limit drinking to less than 21 units per week.
  6. Stop smoking uptake and support individuals to stop smoking (which the authors stress is beneficial at any age).
  7. Provide all children with primary and secondary education.
  8. Lead an active life into mid, and possibly later life.
  9. Reduce obesity and diabetes.
Older woman on a run
Getty

With rates in dementia expected to triple by 2050 and those most affected being socially disadvantaged groups including minority ethnic groups, now seems like a good time to take this seriously. Implementing these nine strategies is a good place to start, and we guarantee the future you will be grateful.  

You may also like 

Going for a walk can improve your memory 

How the coronavirus is making you forget things 

When someone you love has Alzheimer's

Science says going for a walk is good for your brain

  • Health
  • Better Life

Treat yourself to a subscription-Save up to 25%

Plus, your chance to win

Subscribe Now
Treat yourself to a subscription

Treat yourself to a subscription-Save up to 25%

Plus, your chance to win

Subscribe Now
Treat yourself to a subscription

Recommended to you

YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR
Watch 6:32

YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR

{headline}

{headline}

How to keep fit at any age

How to keep fit at any age

How you should be taking care of your health this January

How you should be taking care of your health this January

Study reveals the health benefits of reading a (real) book

Study reveals the health benefits of reading a (real) book

How to avoid 3 of the most common Christmas stress-triggers

How to avoid 3 of the most common Christmas stress-triggers

{headline}

{headline}

Research finds wearing comfy clothes on a bad day can make you feel worse

Research finds wearing comfy clothes on a bad day can make you feel worse

Feel better in 5 simple steps

Feel better in 5 simple steps

How to tell if your mental health needs some extra attention

How to tell if your mental health needs some extra attention

{headline}

{headline}

The benefits of taking a mental health day

The benefits of taking a mental health day

Could growing up with pets be the secret to health and happiness?

Could growing up with pets be the secret to health and happiness?

Science says watching ‘Friends’ re-runs is good for easing anxiety

Science says watching ‘Friends’ re-runs is good for easing anxiety

Science says exercise can make you happier than money can

Science says exercise can make you happier than money can

Being annoyed by chewing sounds is an actual neurological disorder

Being annoyed by chewing sounds is an actual neurological disorder

Research finds crying can help you lose weight

Research finds crying can help you lose weight

5 reasons why laughter is good for mental health

5 reasons why laughter is good for mental health

Bhg
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
Bhg Magazine Subscribe
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy

Brands

  • All Recipes
  • BHG Shop
  • Girlfriend
  • Home Beautiful
  • New Idea
  • New Idea Food
  • Practical Parenting

Our Network

  • marie claire
  • Beauty Crew
  • Who
  • Women's Weekly Food
  • Bounty Parents
  • That’s Life
  • Perth Now
  • The West Australian
  • 7Plus
  • 7mate
  • 7NEWS
  • 7Sport
  • Sunrise
  • Starts at 60
  • Hard to Find
© 2022 Are Media PTY LTD
All products are independently selected, tested or recommended by our team of experts.If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Get more from Better Homes and Gardens

Magazine Subscription Offer

Treat yourself to a subscription-Save up to 25%

Shop This Offer
Treat yourself to a subscription