Dementia Mate Wareware: Is the outlook brighter?

In the past, a dementia diagnosis has been seen as a fast track into a care home; today, there are new research studies and innovations to support those living with dementia, and hopefully bring us a few steps closer to a cure. 

Research into dementia has come a long way. There is a focus on efforts to improve brain health before the disease progresses. Lifestyle and environmental factors have been shown to improve our brain health, with such changes possibly explaining recent reductions in the risk of dementia found in some overseas studies. There have also been clinical trials of new drugs that work to slow down disease progression, rather than only improve symptoms. 

In New Zealand, the IDEA study (Impact of Dementia mate wareware and Equity in Aotearoa) is gaining a more complete picture of dementia so culturally appropriate services can be developed for our diverse population. The government is also supporting the Dementia Mate Wareware Action Plan by funding pilot programmes in some regions to provide new post-diagnosis support, Cognitive Stimulation Therapy, and respite services for family/whānau acting as carers. 

An early diagnosis is vital to access therapies, medications, education and support services as soon as possible. 

Improve your brain health

There are many ways we can improve our brain health, including addressing risk factors that leading dementia experts say can delay, or even prevent, the onset of dementia. 

• Protect your head against injury.
• Avoid or limit toxins, such as smoking/vaping, alcohol, and exposure to air pollution.
• Keep existing conditions well-controlled; in particular, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and depression.
• Check your hearing and get hearing aids as early as possible if required.
• Check your vision and eye health regularly, and seek treatment for impairments if required.
• Stay connected with friends and family/whānau.
• Keep learning new skills.
• Maintain a healthy weight. 
• Stay active with light aerobic and strength/balance exercises. 

While we can do everything 'right' and live as healthily as possible, not everything is under our control and some of us will still develop dementia. We can always help our brain to be as healthy as possible, dementia or not.