According  to Alzheimer’s Association, there has been new research findings on dementia intervention.

The findings show that aggressive treatment of high blood pressure results in fewer cases of cognitive decline.

In the Sprint for Discovery: New Dementia and Cardiovascular Findings, 9,361 hypertensive older adults (who do not have diabetes, dementia or prior stroke) were broken down into two groups.

One group recieved more intensive high blood pressure treatment than the other group.

In the group that recieved more intensive treatment, the results were that 19% less people developed mild cognitive impairment.

Alzheimer’s Association refered to the results as significant.

Extracted from the Alzheimer’s Association:

“These new findings further reinforce the importance of the Alzheimer’s Association U.S. Study to Protect Brain Health Through Lifestyle Intervention to Reduce Risk (U.S. POINTER), as the study includes managing cardiovascular disease risk factors as part of the multi-component lifestyle interventions.

This two-year clinical trial funded by the Alzheimer’s Association will examine whether lifestyle interventions can protect cognitive function in older adults at increased risk for cognitive decline.

The interventions include physical exercise, nutritional counseling and modification, cognitive and social stimulation, and improved self-management of health status.”

 

Chief science officer of the Alzheimer’s Association global research program, Maria C. Carrillo, Ph.D., is optimistic about treating dementia with lifestyle changes.

She says that lifestyle changes have reduced deaths for major diseases like Cancer and Heart Disease.

She hopes that their findings will prove the same for dementia.

Read more about the study here.

Early Intervention at Home

Early intervention has been a big part of my family’s journey. My mother encouraged my family to embark on this journey ever since we noticed early warning signs of dementia in my grandma.

In six months of lifestyle changes such as diet, activities and exercise, we noticed a significant positive difference in her moods and memory.

I feel that families should watch out for these signs, and act on them before it is too late.

If you would like to read about my family’s journey of early intervention, read here.

This has also inspired me to create card games for seniors, in the hope that they encourage social interaction and can be tools of early intervention.