Mary Tilki writes…
It is good to have the opportunity to talk about dementia, because it is now more feared than cancer in western society. Because dementia is linked to lifestyle factors, much can be done to prevent it or at best delay its onset and progress.
Although the Green Hearts Project is focused on heart health, it works alongside the Cuimhne Irish Memory Loss Alliance.
This focuses on raising awareness of dementia and making the Irish community in Britain one which enables and empowers people living with dementia and their family carers.
Only a small number of cases of dementia have a genetic component that can’t be altered, but the greatest number of risk factors are due to lifestyle and therefore are amenable to change.
Although a healthy lifestyle throughout the lifespan is undoubtedly best, as the Green Hearts Campaign shows, it is never too late to change our way of life not just to improve heart health but to reduce the risk of dementia.
Irish people in Britain have high levels of heart disease, stroke and hypertension so quitting smoking, reducing weight, avoiding obesity and taking regular exercise will lower the risk of all of these, diabetes Type 2 and dementia considerably.
Many people are unaware of the risks of developing Type 2 Diabetes which is linked to obesity and as a result many who are pre–diabetic or already have a Type 2 diagnosis often fail to manage their diet and therefore increase the risk of heart disease, stroke and dementia.
There is sometimes a tendency to think of high blood pressure (hypertension) as a normal part of life and people often do not recognise the importance of being treated or taking medication to reduce blood pressure.
Irish people often say they hate taking tablets, which is understandable but knowing the risks of untreated high blood pressure is crucial because it can lead to stroke, heart failure and dementia.
Professor Gill Livingston recently identified deafness as a significant and under acknowledged factor contributing to dementia. As people get older there is a greater risk of deafness and Irish men especially who worked with noisy vibrating equipment already have damaged hearing. However, people are embarrassed and do not seek help for hearing early enough.
Some people are embarrassed to wear hearing aids, and some leave it so late that they find it difficult to adjust to the improved sounds. Although deafness is only one of the risk factors for dementia, deafness does lead to increased isolation which in turn increases the risk of dementia.
Research shows that staying as socially active as possible is important in minimising the risk of social isolation and staving dementia off for as long as possible. Keeping socially engaged, getting out and about, meeting friends can not only keep depression at bay but can help people to remain mentally stimulated and delay memory loss.
It can be difficult to get out when people are in poor health, have mobility problems or lack transport. Although visitors, telephone, TV, the internet can all help those who are isolated, nothing beats getting dressed up and out of the house for a chat and a laugh.
People who experience depression may have an increased risk of dementia, but they do not have to suffer in silence or shame but should seek help from their GP or from one of our Irish organisations.
Although a dementia diagnosis is never good news, the Cuimhne Irish Memory Loss Project has worked with Irish in Britain member organisations to develop their skills and resources to provide culturally sensitive and cognitively stimulating services for Irish people with dementia.
These organisations are also a lifeline for the family members who care for and support their loved ones.
Practical guides on how to implement healthy lifestyle changes are available to download and our Health Officer Marie Dillon is contactable on health@irishinbritain.org