Tips to reduce risk of Alzheimer’s

January is Alzheimer’s awareness month and according to the Alzheimer’s Society of Canada, more than 400 people in the country develop Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia every day.

According to a 2020 report of the Lancet Commission, 40 per cent of cases worldwide are preventable.

"The good news about it is that the things that will help you reduce your risk of dementia and keep your brain healthy are the same things that will keep your heart healthy, the same things that will help you sleep,” says John Britton, CEO for the Alzheimer’s Society of Nova Scotia.

The society provides ten ways for people to reduce their risk of dementia, including staying physically and socially active, drinking less alcohol, quitting or reducing smoking and getting better sleep.

Andrew Stewart, a Nova Scotia-based audiologist, says hearing loss is also linked to dementia.

"It's still being investigated on exactly why that is. The main theory is that hearing loss does tend to lead to social isolation. And there is a known link between social isolation and dementia," says Stewart.

Stewart says there are ways to reduce that risk.

“If you're working around noisy environments, protect your hearing…use hearing protection,” says Stewart. “If you're someone who listens to earbuds or earphones...try to keep the volume low."

The society says their suggestions may seem daunting, but moderation is key.

“What we really want to focus on is that people don't feel overwhelmed,” says Britton. “It's very easy to say you need to stop drinking alcohol. For many people, that's just not a viable option.

“So, we like to focus on intersecting these factors in a way that matters to you.”

Even though genetics and age are risk factors for dementia, Britton encourages people not to underestimate prevention at an early age.

“Its easy to think, ‘Well, this is an older person’s condition,’” says Britton. “But it’s not. There are many instances of young onset dementia, but even though it typically affects people that are older, preventing that now, as a young person, is your best bet of having happy and healthy senior years.”