Seminar Highlights Brain-Healthy Habits, Resources for Dementia Caregivers
| A virtual seminar from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) gave attendees a chance to learn about ways to reduce their risk of dementia and access resources to care for those who are experiencing cognitive decline.
The June 10 seminar was the final installment of a four-part series titled “The Dementia Care Connection: Insights for Families and Frontlines,” which provided health care professionals, caregivers, and community members with real-world strategies for supporting people who are living with memory loss. The series was organized by the UAMS Center on Aging-Northeast in Jonesboro, a program that’s part of the UAMS Donald W. Reynolds Institute on Aging.
David Cook, director of public policy and government affairs for the Arkansas chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, noted that dementia is a difficult journey for patients and caregivers alike.
“It’s our mission to make sure that no one has to go through it alone,” he said.
Cook said caregivers serve as the first line of defense for those who are living with dementia. More than 13 million Americans provide unpaid care for friends and family members with dementia, he said, a number that’s expected to rise as the nation’s population ages.
AmyLeigh Overton-McCoy, Ph.D., APRN, who serves as director of UAMS’ eight Centers on Aging located throughout the state, said it’s essential to support those caregivers. Dementia caregivers face an increased risk of burnout and depression, she said, and many of them skip their own medical appointments as they focus their time and energy on their loved ones.
The toll on caregivers’ mental and physical health affects the quality of assistance they can provide, she added.
“You can’t pour from an empty cup,” she said.
Overton-McCoy highlighted several of UAMS’ caregiver-assistance initiatives, including coaching sessions and support groups. All those programs are free and can be found on the UAMS Centers on Aging website, she said.
The seminar also offered suggestions to help people take better care of their brains. Cook encouraged attendees to take charge of their brain health, citing a growing recognition of the risk factors that can lead to Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.
“We are proactive about our health in so many other facets, and there are now some things we can do to be proactive about our brain,” he said.
Cook said researchers have found that heart-healthy habits are also good for the brain. Those include managing blood pressure, controlling cholesterol, preventing or managing diabetes, avoiding smoking, and limiting alcohol.
Overton-McCoy said exercise is one of the most powerful tools to protect the brain, noting that it increases blood flow, reduces inflammation, and stimulates growth of new brain cells. She also spoke about the importance of diet, sleep, and social interaction.
“There is real hope that in the years to come, we will gain a greater understanding of the causes of dementia and find new ways to slow or even prevent its onset,” she said.