I am a neurologist – these are eight simple steps that I used to delay my mother’s dementia

A leading neuroscientist has unveiled the eight daily habits that she encourages her elderly mother to follow an attempt to slow down the progression of dementia – and says that they can change the way we think about the condition.

Professor Catherine Loveday, 56, a specialist in memory and aging at the University of Westminster, turned to her own research when her mother, Scillia, started to show early signs of Alzheimer’s.

Diagnosting in 2017 at the age of 70, the symptoms of Scillia were initially so that subtle doctors may not have picked up six or seven years.

But her daughter noticed that she was starting to repeat herself – and, armed with expert knowledge, acted quickly.

Now 85, Scillia still lives independently and enjoys a good quality of life-IS professor loved credits for a series of evidence-based lifestyle interventions that are designed to support the health of the brain.

Speaking with The Times, she said: ‘My work has taught me that science is supported that we can all take to improve our brain health.

‘[This is] Not only through more exercise, better diet and improved sleep, but by retaining the stress and fear associated with memory loss under control. ‘

Stress, she explained, increases the levels of inflammatory markers in the body – which in turn can speed up cognitive decline.

Professor Loveday now shares the routine she has developed with her mother in the hope that it will help others to enable themselves to act early and to do everything they can to protect memory and mental brightness.

Although she had always been bright independent, she got lost during her daily walk-a warning signal with a red flag of cognitive decline.

Determined to get a clearer picture of what was going on, Prof Loveday completed her mother a series of memory tests used by the NHS to test for dementia.

This revealed both her strengths, such as short -term memory reminder and her weaknesses.

Although Scilia had no problem calling a list of words that her daughter had just said, when she was asked to remember the same words, only half an hour later after reading a story, she performed worse than almost 100 percent of the people.

According to Prof. Loveday, this proved that her prefrontal cortex-the area of the brain that was responsible for problem solving was functioned, but the part of the brain that deals with memory was missing.

This is one of the first meaningful signs of Alzheimer’s disease. This is then followed by problems with thinking and reasoning and language problems that deteriorate over time.

But if there was something that Prof Loveday was ‘relieved’ because of the results, because she knew that this meant that they could ‘do something about it’.

She said: ‘The measures we have taken have delayed the decline, but her Alzheimer’s clearly continues to progress.

‘Mama now has limited access to her memories from the past, but the work we did means that we know exactly what gives her a happy feeling and we put that into practice every day.

‘The last time I was with her, I asked:’ How do you feel? “And she said,” Relax and in peace, “and I don’t think we can ask for more.

“We could really make a difference.”

Here is exactly what you can do to stimulate your quality of life and to avert Alzheimers … according to Prof Loveday.

Journal every night

To keep your brain active in an older age, professes Prof Loveday to note everything you did today before you go to bed.

This forces the brain to practice ‘spaced rehearsal’ – a learning technique that is known to improve memory by assessing information with intervals.

And it can be ‘transformational’, says Prof Loveday.

It is currently assumed that around 900,000 British have the memory robber disorder. But scientists from the University College London estimate that this will rise to 1.7 million within two decades, because people live longer. It marks an increase of 40 percent on the previous prediction in 2017

Boost your social battery

According to Loveday, maintaining friendships is of vital importance for a healthy cognitive function, reducing stress and relieving fear that in turn reduces inflammation in the body that is known to influence the progression of the disease.

Write it down and don’t be afraid to trust technology

One of the most foolish-proof ways to remember something is writing down and this is not something to be ashamed of, says Prof Loveday.

She discovered that her mother wrote down things that she had to remember that day on a whiteboard in the kitchen, really helped to delay the progress of the disease.

And although it may seem like a nasty task, Profs Loveday says that one of the best things you can do for someone with a degenerative memory condition, teach them how to use Google Maps.

“One of the worst things you can do when you are lost is panic,” she said.

But this is also both sides, so for her own peace of mind as a caretaker, she has also switched on the tracking system on her mother’s phone, so that she can easily see where she is if necessary.

Curate old memories

Usually Alzheimer’s patients will have a good grasp on their early memories, so causing a conversation about the good old days can help maintain the identity.

Prof Loveeday said: ‘Nostalgic conversations – – about music and scratching school uniforms – are powerful social connectors.

“I know from my research when you ask people to give their eight favorite songs, often one or two memories will turn on a specific moment that was transitions or important in terms of who you became.”

Receive your steps in

It is a well -known fact that increasing your practice quota can help prevent Alzheimer’s life to prevent proteins in the brain that support cognitive function.

Even just walking is great, says Prof Loveday, because navigating stimulates the part of the brain that is responsible for memory.

Get the sugar and have a good routine before bedtime

Experts have long suggested that diets with many healthy fats and polyphenols – – found in things like dark green leafy vegetables – can help support the health of the brain.

Conversely, it is known that sugar can have an inflammatory effect on the body, causing glucose peaks that have been shown to reduce cognitive function.

Prof Loveday suggests more vegetables, berries that are rich in antioxidants and foods with many omega-3s such as oily fish or nuts and seeds.

There is also an overview of evidence that too much or too little sleep can increase the risk of dementia.

Plan for the future now

Although it can be difficult to talk about future plans in terms of care, Profs Loveday advises the advice to avoid as quickly as possible before the disease progresses further.

Get your eyes and ears tested

In the end, Profs Loveday proposes to regularly test your hearing and vision to keep dementia at a distance – and at least every two years for people over 60, in accordance with NHS guidelines.

It is believed that the early tackling of hearing loss could slow down the development of dementia for a number of years, although the exact reasoning is not yet fully understood by experts.

But hearing loss is not an inevitable part of aging and this simple step can help millions to reduce their risk of dementia.