DEMENTIA can cause a number of physical changes in a person – but some of these changes could appear years before a diagnosis.
More and more studies are suggesting risk factors for Alzheimer’s can reveal themselves long before a diagnosis.
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A recent study found how long you’re able to stand on one leg for could signal dementia.
Now, a new study has linked increased frailty to dementia – nine years before a diagnosis.
The findings give “new hope” early intervention can prevent the condition.
Researchers from The University of Queensland looked at international data from more than 30,000 people from the US and UK over a 20 year period.
They found frailty appeared and accelerated in the nine years before those who had dementia by the end of the study were diagnosed.
Dr David Ward, one of the study’s authors, told The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP), said: “Our findings who with every four to five additional health problems there is on average a 40 per cent higher risk of developing dementia, while for people who are fitter the risk is lower.”
The paper didn’t definitively prove frailty is a symptom of dementia, but Dr Ward told RACGP: “This [data] suggests frailty is not merely a consequence of undetected dementia but contributes to its onset.”
He added: “By understanding the connection between ageing frailty and dementia we can use targeted intervention strategies to reduce risk and improve quality of life.”
What is frailty?
Frailty describes a person’s physical and mental resilience, or ability to recover from illness or injury.
Symptoms of frailty, according to the NHS, can include:
- Walking slowly
- Getting exhausted easily
- Struggling to get out of a chair or climb stairs
- Being housebound or only able to leave home with help
Frailty can lead to adverse outcomes, such as falls, disability, hospital admission, long-term care, and mortality.
While early dementia diagnosis is key, to help manage the condition and as a diagnostic tool, promoting healthy ageing can help avoid or delay the onset of frailty.
How to promote healthy ageing
According to Age UK, there are a number of things you can do to age better.
Watch what you eat and drink
Eating a healthy, balanced diet is crucial for good health and preventing illness. A healthy diet includes a variety of foods from different food groups, such as fruits and vegetables, starchy foods, and protein, and limits foods high in fat, salt, and sugar. You should also make sure you drink plenty of fluids such as water, diluted squash and fruit juice to stay hydrated.
Look after your teeth
You should brush your teeth twice a day and floss daily to help prevent gum disease. Gum disease can be linked to diabetes, strokes, heart disease and rheumatoid arthritis. Make sure you have regular check-ups, and if you have dentures or a bridge, ask your dentist to check they fit properly.
Stay active
Daily exercise can help you stay strong and healthy as it lowers the risk of obesity, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and even cancer. Staying active can boost your self-esteem, improve your sleep, and give you more energy. Government guidelines recommend that older adults do 150 minutes of moderate intensity activity per week, as well as strengthening exercises twice a week.
Make the most of your doctor
Routine tests at the doctors can check your blood pressure and cholesterol levels. High readings of these can increase the risk of stroke and heart disease, but can be treated with medication.
Get a vitamin boost
Many people have a vitamin D deficiency and don’t know it. Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to cognitive impairment, bone problems and also cardiovascular disease. Try to get outside in the sunshine for at least 15-20 minutes a day for a vitamin D boost. Foods like eggs, mushrooms and oily fish are also good sources of vitamin D, or you can speak to your doctor about getting a vitamin D supplement.
Take care of your feet
Look after your feet by applying moisturiser to prevent dry skin, and cut your toenails straight across. Also, make sure you have footwear that fits properly and supports your feet. Contact your doctor if your feet become painful, feel very hot or cold or if you have common problems like corns, bunions or ingrown toenails.
Sort out your sleep
Sleep is essential for good health and well-being. You can avoid sleep problems like insomnia by cutting down on daytime naps, establishing a bedtime routine, and going to bed at the same time each night.
Take the tests
Hearing and eye tests are important, particularly as hearing loss is common in older people. You should have your eyes checked every two years, so if there are any changes in your vision, these can be corrected. Eye tests are free if you’re over 60.
Stay in touch
Spending time with other people can prevent you from feeling lonely or anxious. Loneliness has been linked to a number of health conditions including depression and heart disease.
Give up smoking
Smoking has been linked to a whole range of different health problems, including heart disease, lung cancer, and bronchitis. If you stop smoking, regardless of your age, your circulation, your lung capacity and your energy levels will improve.
Is it ageing or dementia?
Dementia – the most common form of which is Alzheimer’s – comes on slowly over time.
As the disease progresses, symptoms can become more severe.
But at the beginning, the symptoms can be subtle or mistaken for normal memory issues related to ageing.
The US National Institute on Aging gives some examples of what is considered normal forgetfulness in old age, and dementia disease.
You can refer to these above.
For example, it is normal for an ageing person to forget which word to use from time-to-time, but difficulting having conversation would be more indicative of dementia.
Katie Puckering, Head of Alzheimer’s Research UK’s Information Services team, previously told The Sun: “We quite commonly as humans put our car keys somewhere out of the ordinary and it takes longer for us to find them.
“As you get older, it takes longer for you to recall, or you really have to think; What was I doing? Where was I? What distracted me? Was it that I had to let the dog out? And then you find the keys by the back door.
“That process of retrieving the information is just a bit slower in people as they age.
“In dementia, someone may not be able to recall that information and what they did when they came into the house.
“What may also happen is they might put it somewhere it really doesn’t belong. For example, rather than putting the milk back in the fridge, they put the kettle in the fridge.”
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