Reduce Your Risk

Dementia is a worldwide problem, and if you have a brain, you are at risk! There are things that can be done throughout a person's life that can help to reduce their risk of getting dementia and other chronic brain illnesses. It is never to early to start Dancing Out Dementia! Below you will find tips for reducing your risk. Check it out!  

The Facts by Numbers

50 million people around the world are living with dementia 

5.8 million people in the United States are living with dementia

Every 65 seconds, a new dementia diagnosis is made

1 in 3 Seniors die with dementia

There is 0 Cure for dementia

DANCE can reduce a person's risk of getting dementia by 76%

6 Pillars of Brain Health 

Dementia experts have come up with six key steps that have been proven to reduce a person's risk of getting dementia and other brain related diseases. They are known as the 6 Pillars of Brain Health:     

Exercise
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Physical activity has been proven in study after study to be the best risk reduction activity. A research study done at the University of Illinois showed that people who exercised for 30 minutes to an hour, three times a week, were less likely to develop dementia. Some effective types of exercise include: DANCE, walking, biking, swimming, and yoga. 

Social Engagement

Keeping connections with people is essential to dementia risk reduction. Our brains work best when we come in contact with positive people on a regular basis. Ways of staying involved include:  volunteering, joining a social group, going to a museum, park, or library, and making phone calls to friends/family.

Eating Healthy
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Dementia is sometimes referred to as the "diabetes of the brain." Eating a healthy and balanced diet is important for both physical and mental health. Healthy eating tips include: cutting down on sugar, replacing coffee with tea, drinking plenty of water, maximizing fruits and vegetables, and making home-cooked meals. 

Quality Sleep
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Getting good sleep is a major factor in brain health.  Uninterrupted and deep sleep has been proven to flush out brain toxins as well as help in memory formation. Some ways to get quality sleep include: setting a sleep schedule that you stick to and reading a book or writing in a journal before you go to bed.

Stress Management​

Stress can take a large toll on the brain and lead to a decrease in ability to remember things. Some stress management tips include: breathing, taking yoga classes, reading, writing, and scheduling daily relaxation activities.

Mental Stimulation​

People who make it a point to learn new things and keep their brains active are less likely to develop dementia later in life. The "use it or lose it" motto applies strongly here. Ways to stimulate brain function include: learning new things, practicing memorization, doing crosswords, puzzles, or riddles, and eating or brushing your teeth with your non-dominant hand. 

Informational Videos 

Works Cited

https://www.alz.org/
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dementia/symptoms-causes/syc-20352013 
http://www.calaverasenterprise.com/health/article_cbff2990-171a-11e3-9761-001a4bcf887a.html 
​https://www.tetonhospital.org/documents/cognitive-health/pillars-of-brain-health-1.pdf 
​https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tkIg-SxPzTA 
​https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twG4mr6Jov0
​https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J8FyHI00ELY
​https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aLsVS0lrRD0
​https://youtu.be/vR-cwADz-V0