Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) can be a precursor to dementia but does not always progress to dementia. Medical professionals report 10% to 40% of MCI cases go on to become dementia, and a good percentage of those become Alzheimer’s disease. On the positive side, research shows as many as 30-40% of people with MCI get better. As with Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia, there is no cure for MCI but there are some therapies which have been approved to treat early Alzheimer’s to slow disease progression. Doctors also say there are steps we can take to mitigate or minimize the effects of MCI.
MCI is just as its name suggests. The impairment is mild and does not affect a person’s ability to care for themselves or take away their independence. Steps a person should take to protect their cognitive health include quitting smoking and moderating or eliminating alcohol consumption. If you do have hypertension (high blood pressure), high cholesterol levels or diabetes, it is important to treat these conditions and manage them through medications, diet and healthy lifestyle habits.
Other things you can do to thwart, delay or minimize the effects of MCI are to maintain a healthy weight and exercise, which is good for our brains as well as our bodies. Avoid junk food, highly processed foods and foods high in sodium; and reduce the amount of red meat in your diet. Isolation has also been linked to a higher risk for dementia, so it is important to stay social.
Along with independent and assisted living, MorningStar at Golden Ridge provides compassionate memory care for those with mild to advanced stages of Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases. Every aspect of our Reflections Neighborhood is tailored to serve the needs of our special residents from purposeful activities to nutritional, easy-to-eat foods. Our job is to elevate and celebrate life by trying to connect with and nurture the individual each day, and to ensure they are treated with the utmost respect and dignity they deserve. Contact us or visit our website for more information.
This post is intended for informational purposes only. Please contact your health care provider with any questions or concerns you have regarding your health.
MorningStar has considered it a privilege and responsibility to “cast a new light” on senior living, inspired and empowered by our unique mission: to honor, to value, to invest. Our passionate commitment to serving seniors has earned us a reputation for satisfaction that is second to none. Contact us to learn more about the finest independent living, assisted living and memory care in Peoria, AZ.
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