Lifestyle adjustments including changes to diet, exercise, cognitive training, and vascular risk monitoring may make a difference for individuals at risk of cognitive decline.1
A focus on overall brain health to reduce cognitive decline may include:
See More >A focus on overall brain health to reduce cognitive decline may include:
Exercise
Smoking cessation
Cardiovascular health
Low-fat/high vegetable and fruit diets
Adequate sleep
Provide mental stimulation strategies to enhance cognitive function:
See More >Provide mental stimulation strategies to enhance cognitive function:
Cognitive training and stimulation, reality orientation, and reminiscence therapy may be beneficial for patients with dementia
Refer to mental health experts for psychological and behavioral therapies, counseling, and peer support groups
Educate patients and caregivers on safety and financial planning considerations:
See More >Educate patients and caregivers on safety and financial planning considerations:
Safety considerations include high fall risk, wandering, and driving implications; discuss appropriate living arrangements and ongoing care needs
Consider referral to a physical therapist to improve function and protect against slips and falls
Help patients understand their coverage and the cost of care
Help patients assemble a care team and advise caregivers about health needs and supportive services:
See More >Help patients assemble a care team and advise caregivers about health needs and supportive services:
Provide caregivers training and resources to help them cope with their increasingly demanding role
Refer as needed to other experts for the psychological support and encouragement required to stay healthy
As of 2017, 48% of caregivers were unpaid while caring for a spouse, parent, or family member. Dementia caregivers tend to provide more extensive assistance as the disease progresses, with an emphasis on self-care and mobility. The care required of family members can result in increased emotional stress and feelings of depression.
Continued support for caregivers is instrumental in treating Alzheimer’s disease holistically.
In the 2-year FINGER* Study (N=1,260) in Finland, multidomain lifestyle-based interventions helped cognitive performance in patients at risk of dementia versus regular health advice.
* Finnish Geriatric Intervention Study to Prevent Cognitive Impairment and Disability.
† Elderly at-risk individuals who had a CAIDE Dementia Risk Score of 6 or higher and cognitive performance at mean level or lower for Finnish population norms.
CAIDE=Cardiovascular Risk Factors, Aging, and Incidence of Dementia.
‡Change in cognition was measured through comprehensive neuropsychological test battery (NTB), a composite score based on results from 14 tests.
Secondary cognitive outcomes based on NTB domain Z scores1:
Intervention group patients saw a significant intervention effect in processing speed and executive functioning.
No significant change was associated with the intervention group in the memory domain.
See how baseline patient characteristics influenced results in this multidomain intervention to improve or maintain cognitive function and reduce cognitive decline among at-risk individuals.
Read: Rosenberg A, Ngandu T, Rusanen M, et al. Multidomain lifestyle intervention benefits a large elderly population at risk for cognitive decline and dementia regardless of baseline characteristics: The FINGER trial.
Alzheimers Dement. 2018;14(3):263-270.
Read: Rosenberg A, Ngandu T, Rusanen M, et al. Multidomain lifestyle intervention benefits a large elderly population at risk for cognitive decline and dementia regardless of baseline characteristics: The FINGER trial.
Alzheimers Dement. 2018;14(3):263-270.