Dementia: It's Not Just Memory Loss
When Beth first noticed something was wrong, it wasn’t her memory that was concerning. She began having difficulties with tasks that were once second nature. For example, she struggled to follow new recipes when cooking and made several mistakes when paying her bills. She brushed off her difficulties as stress or just “getting older.”
Exercise
Dementia: It's Not Just Memory Loss
Staying physically active offers protective benefits reducing the risk of dementia and maintaining optimal cardiovascular health. This can include:
aerobics (walks, aquatics, cycling),
strength-training (weights, bone builders),
stretching (chair yoga) and,
meditative movements such as Tai Chi and chair yoga.
Find an exercise partner to keep you accountable. This encourages social connection and routine.
Some studies have demonstrated the potential for delayed onset of cognitive decline or reduced rate of decline for physically active individuals diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment.