Alzheimer’s disease is one of the biggest concerns many of us have as we age.

By the time you reach 65 years of age, there is a 10% chance you will develop Alzheimer’s disease. By the time you reach 85, your chances increase to 50%.

However, promising research shows that you can reduce your risk of this condition and other dementias through a variety of simple, but effective, changes in your lifestyle. By maintaining a healthy brain, you might be able to prevent the symptoms of the disease and slow down, or reverse, the deterioration process.

The following are six things you can do to reduce your risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease:

• Exercise for 150 minutes or more each week. According to the Alzheimer’s Research & Prevention Foundation, a regular workout regimen can reduce your risk of developing the disease by up to 50%. Exercise stimulates the brain’s ability to maintain old connections, as well as create new ones, which protects it against Alzheimer’s.
• Socially engage yourself. Human beings are naturally social creatures, which means we don’t thrive in isolation. Remaining socially engaged protects your brain against the disease, so having a strong network of friends and family is important. Furthermore, you can develop new friendships by volunteering, joining a club or social group, or take classes at your local community college or online.
• Maintain a healthy diet. By adjusting your eating habits, you can help reduce inflammation that injures neurons and disrupt communication between your brain cells. Get plenty of omega-3 fats since they reduce beta-amyloid plaques at attribute to Alzheimer’s disease. The more fruits and vegetables, the better. Cut down on sugary foods and refined carbs since they can inflame your brain.
• Mentally stimulate your brain. Those who continue learning new things throughout life and challenging their brains are less likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. So learn a new language, practice a musical instrument, read a good book or the newspaper regularly. You can even get a great mental workout by playing strategy games or doing puzzles.
• Manage your stress. Chronic stress can take a heavy toll on the brain, resulting in shrinkage in a key memory area and hampering nerve cell growth that leads to an increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. Keep stress under control by taking deep breaths, enjoy relaxing activities, and maintain a sense of humor during stressful situations.
• Get quality sleep. Those who suffer from Alzheimer’s disease also tend to suffer from insomnia and other sleep issues. New research suggests that disrupted sleep is a possible risk factor, so make sure you get at least eight hours of sleep a night.

If you are looking for a compassionate and reliable assisted living facility with your loved one who has Alzheimer’s disease, contact Mount Carmel Assisted Living and schedule a visit today.