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Dementia risk reduction: A how-to guide
Nov 29, 2023 - McMaster University - 60 minutes
The Bottom Line
Currently, treatments for dementia are limited. This makes prevention that much more important. The idea that you could do something about your risk of dementia is a relatively new concept. In this webinar, Drs. Anthony Levinson and Richard Sztramko discuss dementia and how you can decrease your personal risk of developing it by addressing various modifiable risk factors.
Learn the answers to the following questions:
1:32 What is dementia?
6:26 How does our cognition change as we age?
9:06 How can you prevent dementia?
13:43 Physical activity and weight management
16:17 Blood vessel health and dementia
21:18 Smoking, alcohol consumption
23:36 Nutrition, diet, and supplements
26:35 Cognitive and social activity
29:17 Medication adverse effects and other conditions
34:13 The more healthy lifestyle behaviours, the better.
40:28 'Old-age-forgetfulness' versus dementia
41:35 How often should I be tested for dementia?
43:16 Are there treatments for Alzheimer’s or other dementias?
46:00 Commonly prescribed drugs and cognitive impairment
49:33 Can stress or anxiety disorders increase the risk of dementia?
51:40 Can healthy lifestyle behaviours help those with mild cognitive impairment or dementia?
52:57 If hearing loss is such an important risk factor, how do you encourage loved ones to wear hearing aids?
54:37 What does the research say about proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) for gastritis and dementia?
Download the 6-Ways to Promote Brain Health summary handout.
Download a transcript of this webinar presentation.
Want to test your knowledge of dementia risk factors? Take our quiz.
Dr. Anthony J. Levinson is a Professor at McMaster University and holds the John R. Evans Chair in Health Sciences Educational Research and Instructional Development. One of the co-leaders of the McMaster Optimal Aging Portal, Dr. Levinson is also a psychiatrist with a special interest in medical psychiatry, neuropsychiatry, and preventive psychiatry. His area of research interest includes online learning to improve healthcare provider and patient education.
Author Details
Richard Sztramko
Dr. Richard Sztramko practices both Geriatrics and General Internal Medicine at Vancouver Coastal Health in the Sea to Sky region of British Columbia. He was formerly an Assistant Professor at McMaster University and UBC with a focus on eHealth interventions related to patient education, physician and healthcare provider communication.
References
The content of this webinar was written and adapted based on credible, high-quality, non-biased sources such as MedlinePlus, the National Institutes for Mental Health, the McMaster Optimal Aging Portal, the American Psychiatric Association, the Cochrane Library, the Centre for Addictions and Mental Health (CAMH) and others. In particular, evidence-based content about dementia risk reduction was also derived from the World Health Organization and the Lancet Commission reports. Please see additional references on the e-learning lesson landing page.
DISCLAIMER: These summaries are provided for informational purposes only. They are not a substitute for advice from your own health care professional. The summaries may be reproduced for not-for-profit educational purposes only. Any other uses must be approved by the McMaster Optimal Aging Portal (info@mcmasteroptimalaging.org).
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