Middle aged patients should make lifestyle changes to reduce the risk of dementia, according to a document released by PHE
The document, released by PHE, contains local and national level data, as well as infographics, slide sets, case studies and blogs to help clinicians educate their patients on how they can improve brain health and cut the risk of developing dementia. According to PHE, as many as a third of cases of dementia could be prevented by making changes to a patient’s lifestyle, such as exercising and reducing smoking.
‘In 2016, one person every three minutes will develop dementia but, recent statistics from Alzheimer’s Research UK show only a quarter of the British public believe it’s possible to reduce dementia risk,’ said Dr Matthew Norton, Head of Policy at Alzheimer’s Research UK. ‘Research has shown that dementia is caused by a complex mix of genetic and lifestyle factors but by maintaining a balanced diet, exercising regularly, not smoking or drinking to excess, keeping blood pressure and cholesterol in check the risk of dementia can be lowered in some cases.’
According to PHE, Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia affect roughly 850,000 Britons and cost the economy £26 billion a year. If the issue is not tackled now, the number of people affected by the condition will rise to one million by 2025 and two million by 2050.
'It’s important to be aware that age is still the biggest risk factor for dementia, and as there is not yet a sure-fire way to prevent the condition it’s vital we continue to invest in research into preventions, as well as better treatments for those cases that cannot be prevented,’ added Dr Norton.