Unexplained Changes in Cholesterol May Point to a Higher Risk of Dementia

Reducing Dementia Risk through Indoor Activities

December 20, 2024 TruthUSA

Researchers discovered that engaging in activities such as chatting, reading, listening to music, playing an instrument, or crafting can help prevent dementia.

A study published in The Journals of Gerontology has found that the type of activity older adults participate in significantly influences brain health.

Researchers studied the activity patterns of 397 older Australian adults aged 60 and above, unveiling the impact of various sedentary behaviors on cognitive function and mental processes.

Maddison Mellow, the lead author of the study and a research associate at the University of South Australia (UniSA), mentioned that there hasn’t been direct research exploring the potential of reducing dementia risk by replacing one sedentary behavior with another.

“We already know that physical activity is a strong protector against dementia risk and should be a priority for improving brain health,” Mellow stated.

“However, our research shows that sedentary behaviors promoting mental stimulation or social engagement, like reading or socializing, are beneficial for cognitive function, while others like watching TV or gaming have a negative impact. Therefore, the type of activity matters.

“While the ‘move more, sit less’ message is crucial for cardiometabolic and brain health, a more nuanced approach is necessary when considering the connection between sedentary behaviors and cognitive function.”

The study classified activities into 9 “superdomains“: sleep, self-care, chores, screen time, quiet time, transport, social, physical activity, and work/study.

The findings suggest a potential hierarchy for sedentary behaviors, where certain behaviors are beneficial while others are harmful.

Normal Ageing vs. Dementia

As individuals age, natural cognitive decline hampers their information processing speed.

For instance, a 20-year-old is 75 percent quicker than a 75-year-old at substituting numbers for symbols.

Vocabulary and verbal communication typically remain unaffected, though finding specific words may become harder. In terms of memory, forming new memories might be challenging, but long-term memories from the past years are usually retained.

In dementia, this decline happens at a faster pace, resulting in symptoms like forgetfulness, confusion, and difficulties in verbal expression and word retrieval.

The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) estimates that 411,100 Australians were living with dementia in 2023, a number expected to double by 2058.

Dementia incurred a cost of $3.7 billion on the health and aged care system between 2020–2021, with an additional $1.8 billion spent on residential care services.

Insights to Reduce Cognitive Decline

The UniSA research provides practical tips to decrease the risk of cognitive decline.

“To achieve optimal brain health and physical well-being, prioritize enjoyable and heart-rate-increasing movements as they benefit overall health,” Mellow recommended.

“Even small swaps of five-minute activities can be beneficial. Therefore, if you plan on a Christmas movie marathon, try interspersing it with some physical activity or a mentally engaging seated activity like reading. This way, you can gradually adopt healthier habits.”

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