Fighting dementia through healthy eating, when is it time to consider a Memory Care facility

Fighting dementia through healthy eating, when is it time to consider a Memory care facility

Alzheimer’s dementia is one of the most common memory degenerative disorders worldwide. There are over 47 million people suffering from various forms of dementia in the world and with the “population aging” and increased life expectancy this is estimated to be over 75 million by the year 2030. In the United States, one in 8 people over the age of 65 years are living with dementia.

With such a significant health burden, many research studies are being done to help adults with degenerative memory disorders cope better with the disease and prolong the development of symptoms. As symptoms progress many have sought assisted living options or specialized memory care communities that were built to care for the adults with degenerative memory diseases. There are numerous Assisted Living in Scottsdale locations and Senior living in Scottsdale locations with secure environments or dedicated memory care units as well as additional specialized Memory care locations throughout Arizona.  In this article we discuss how your diet and healthy eating can help slow the symptoms and progression of the disease as well as discuss how Memory Care Scottsdale communities, which were specially constructed to accommodate adults with memory and cognitive disorders can help. (They are constructed with easy to navigate and familiar environments, 24/7 surveillance and supervision to care for your loved ones).

Many of the studies have focused on eating healthy and on certain diet therapies that help with memory disorders.  Nutrition plays an important role in the progression of the disease. As the progression of dementia occurs it is very common for adults to experience loss of appetite. This translates to reduced eating due to lack of appetite, lack of supervision at meal times or simply increased confusion which leads to nutritional imbalance and worsening of the disease symptoms much quicker. Senior Living Scottsdale facilities and other Assisted Living facilities throughout Arizona have specially trained staff to help take care of the nutritional needs of your loved ones. There are dieticians who can provide individualized diets customized for each adult. Many studies have shown with early onset medications and properly balanced diets with restricted salt and saturated fats there has been a significant delays in the onset of symptoms. At assisted living facilities in Arizona, and Memory Care Scottsdale facilities, dietitians and healthcare staff implement the latest evidence-based care to improve the quality of the life of their residents.

Although the cause for the development of this disease is multifactorial a study published in the Neurobiology of aging has mentioned seven sets of dietary and lifestyle guidelines that may delay the onset of dementia and other memory disorders. The study has highlighted the importance of reducing saturated fats and Trans fats. (This means replacing animal fat with healthy oils and reducing items such as red meat intake. Also, consuming vegetable, whole grains and other foods high in protein fiber and vitamins like, vitamin E should come from natural sources such as nuts and green leafy vegetables).  You should also take at multi-vitamin with at least the minimal recommended levels of Vitamin B12 (2.4 micrograms per day) should come from fortified food supplements as well as minimize exposure to baking powder, aluminum products, and antacids. Include aerobic workouts to your routine. With these interventions, the onset of symptoms may be delayed.

Another study has highlighted the importance of the trace minerals like iron, and zinc as well as micronutrients like vitamins which play a major role in the delay of dementia and helps improve cognitive functions. Anti-oxidant and flavonoids have played a significant role in reducing oxidative substances that damage your memory cells and help to retain brain function.  Melons, Papaya, wild berries, dark chocolate, and pecans have high anti-oxidant content and are helpful in delaying the onset of symptoms. 

Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids which are essential fatty acids in the formation of compounds DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) are important for the development of the brain and neural structures. A study done based on Omega fatty acids have shown that diet rich in Omega 3 and Omega 6 have significantly delayed the development of early signs and symptoms of Dementia.  Deep sea fish, tuna, Salmon and fish liver are rich sources of these natural essential fatty acids. At memory care Scottsdale locations, assisted living facilities in Arizona and Scottsdale, dieticians and your healthcare provider can make sure your loved one receives these optimal nutrients to help them fight dementia and prolong the onset of symptoms. 

Across the world, many experimental studies have been done to find the significance of identifying the symptoms of the disease early. Timely diagnosis and treatment studies define “timely diagnosis” as diagnosing the condition with the earliest elicited symptoms. Based upon this study showing proper medical and memory enhancing therapeutics received by early diagnosed individuals showed delayed memory deterioration.  Assisted living facility care received at the early stages has showed improved coping with the disease, better adaptation and reduced agitation and anxiety that develop later in the disease.

With early diagnosis and proper medical supervision from your physician as well as moving to one of the Assisted Living Scottsdale or Assisted Living Arizona locations your loved one will receive the proper medical and therapeutic supervision and care needed. This should help to delay the onset or progression of symptoms of the disease and with family and staff support, help your loved ones cope better with the disease. 

Call us today if you would like additional information at 800-881-7706 and visit our website at www.acaringhandformom.com.

References: Robinson, L., Tang, E., & Taylor, J. (2015). Dementia: timely diagnosis and early intervention. BMJ, 350(jun15 14), h3029-h3029. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmj.h3029

Morris, M., Tangney, C., Wang, Y., Sacks, F., Bennett, D., & Aggarwal, N. (2015). MIND diet associated with reduced incidence of Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimer's & Dementia, 11(9), 1007-1014. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jalz.2014.11.009

Mitchell, J., & Kemp, B. (2000). Quality of Life in Assisted Living Homes: A Multidimensional Analysis. The Journals Of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences And Social Sciences, 55(2), P117-P127. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/geronb/55.2.p117

Swaminathan, A., & Jicha, G. A. (2014). Nutrition and prevention of Alzheimer’s dementia. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, 6, 282. http://doi.org/10.3389/fnagi.2014.00282

Thomas, J., Thomas, C. J., Radcliffe, J., & Itsiopoulos, C. (2015). Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Early Prevention of Inflammatory Neurodegenerative Disease: A Focus on Alzheimer’s Disease. BioMed Research International, 2015, 172801. http://doi.org/10.1155/2015/172801

Dietary and lifestyle guidelines for the prevention of Alzheimer's disease. (2017). Sciencedirect.com. Retrieved 18 September 2017, from http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0197458014003480