Dementia

Dementia risk reduced

Getting older often means taking medication for one ailment or another but the side effects are can be surprisingly positive.

Research study findings published in the British Medical Journal highlighted the reduced risk of dementia amongst participants who had been prescribed angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs).  The four-year study undertaken by researchers at Boston University examined the occurrence of dementia amongst 800,000 men, aged 65 and over whom all had cardiovascular disease, a common dementia risk factor for dementia.  Of those taking ARBs, the risk of dementia was reduced by 50 per cent and for those already diagnosed with the condition, the progression was slowed.

While results are a positive step in finding a preventative drug, it does not represent a cure for those already suffering from the disease.  More research is required as to how such drugs can be used to help the 245,000 Australians already diagnosed with dementia.

For more information on the study, visit the British Medical Journal.

Diagnosing dementia

Memory loss is probably one of the most common indicators that you may be suffering from dementia however, as simply being tired can have the same effect, there is much more that must be taken into consideration.

Dementia is difficult for professionals to diagnose, so trying to work out yourself if you are suffering or not, is not recommended.  Any issues, such as memory loss, difficulty in understanding written articles or follow conversations, you may be experiencing, should be discussed with your doctor.

The following check list, taken from Alzheimer’s Australia, is a useful tool for highlighting if you are suffering the key indicators of dementia.  However, this should only be used to highlight your concerns to your own doctor and not for self-diagnosis.

Work longer to delay dementia

It’s commonly accepted that exercising the brain can delay the onset of dementia and now there is proof that working longer will not only benefit your bank balance but also your brain health.

Analysis of data by the Institute of Psychiatry at King’s College, London, has shown that working longer can delay the onset of Alzheimer’s disease. For every one extra year worked, an average delay of six weeks in the onset of Alzheimer’s was noted for the 382 males who retired later in life.

While more research is needed to examine the reason for the delay in relation to working longer, it adds weight to the use it or lose it argument

For more details on the findings, visit the Institute of Psychiatry.

Dementia resource

Living with dementia is hard on those who suffer from it and those who care for them.  A new government resource is aimed at helping sufferers and carers improve their quality of life.

The Dementia Resource Guide provides links to resources covering 17 topics, including assessment and diagnosis, medical treatment and support services.  Launched by the Minister for Ageing, Justine Elliot, the guide will provide information for sufferers, carers and families, volunteers and staff providing care and support. 

The guide was developed by a research team at the National Ageing Research Institute, with funding through the Australian Government via the Dementia Initiative.  The funding is part of the $320 million committed by the Australian Government for dementia research and support over the next five years.

There are 200,000 Australians affected by dementia and with the country’s ageing population, this is expected to more than double over the next 20 years.  In putting together a list of the best resources available, over 700 were reviewed by the research team.

Download The Dementia Resource Guide
or request a CD rom copy by contacting .  You can also access The National Dementia Helpline and Referral Service by contacting 1800 100 500, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Online Dementia Support

More than 200,000 Australians have been diagnosed with dementia and these numbers will more than double in the next 45 years. A new website, DementiaNet, offers practical information and support for families affected by the disease.

Barrister Michael d’Arbon, who has Alzheimer’s Disease, started the site when his family found available internet information confusing and impersonal. They wanted answers to simple questions, such as ‘Is dementia hereditary?’ and ‘Can I slow it down?’

DementiaNet has been researched through consultation with medical experts and carers, and offers interactive services such as a chat room, a gallery and a debate area, as well as a letterbox where people can submit anonymous questions to a qualified medical panel.

It’s an invaluable source for carers, who can read about what to look out for in a relative who may be developing symptoms of the disease and obtain advice about what to do throughout the course of the illness.
Go there