Canny View: Dealing with cognitive decline

Dealing with cognitive decline. Photo / Supplied

It's no great secret that as we age our bodies begin to go into some form of decline.

Mental decline isn't visible, no one knows what's happening in anyone else's head. This means it might be more open to dispute, delaying any response. Setting aside pride and accepting the potential for the decline is the best way to deal with any cognitive issues before they occur.

While there is potential for cognitive decline in those over 60, there's no joy for those under 60 either. While there may not be any age-related issues to be concerned about, the general demands of life and work have the potential to drain the most agile of minds.

Every three seconds, someone in the world develops dementia and with the current number of dementia sufferers being 50 million people this number is only set to double over the next 20 years, reaching 82 million in 2030.

Before we leap into the depths of Alzheimer's disease it's important to understand the difference between Alzheimer's and dementia.

Dementia is a general term for a decline in mental ability severe enough to interfere with daily life. Whereas, Alzheimer's disease is a brain disorder that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills and, eventually, the ability to carry out the simplest tasks. Alzheimer's is the most common cause of dementia and accounts for 60-80 per cent of dementia cases.

Sadly, despite billions of dollars poured into research over the past several decades, no cure has been found for Alzheimer's.

The main goals of treatment are to maintain quality of life, maximise function in daily activities, enhance recognition, mood and behaviour. Treatment drugs are available that improve dementia symptoms, however, many of them do not treat the underlying disease or delay its progression.

The most common early symptoms of dementia include:
·   Memory problems, particularly remembering recent events.
·   Increasing confusion.
·   Reduced concentration.
·   Personality or behaviour changes
·   Loss of ability to do everyday tasks.

In NZ almost 70,000 Kiwis are living with dementia, and more than 170,000 Kiwis will be living with dementia by 2050. So what can we do in order to keep our brains healthy and help slow any decline in memory and lower our risks of developing Alzheimer's disease or other dementias?

Regular exercise:

According to the Alzheimer's Research and Prevention Foundation, regular physical exercise can reduce your risk of developing Alzheimer's disease by up to 50 per cent.

Exercise can also help those who are already experiencing cognitive issues to slow down their decline. It helps to prevent Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia by boosting the brain's ability to maintain and form new connections.

Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity exercise each week. The ideal plan involves a combination of cardio exercise and strength training. Good activities for beginners include walking and swimming.

Healthy diet:

In Alzheimer's disease, inflammation and insulin resistance injure neurons and inhibit communication between brain cells. Alzheimer's is sometimes described as "diabetes of the brain", and a growing body of research suggests a strong link between metabolic disorders and the signal processing systems. By adjusting your eating habits, you can help reduce inflammation and protect your brain.

You can do this by:

Eating at least five portions of fruit and vegetables a day.

Eat protein (such as oily fish, beans, pulses, eggs or meat) at least twice a week.

Limit your sugar intake, and look out for hidden salt.

Eat starchy foods like bread, potatoes and pasta.

Drink 6–8 glasses of fluid (such as water, lower fat milk and sugar-free drinks) a day.

Nick Stuart

Getting enough sleep:

It's crucial to get seven to eight hours of undisturbed sleep each night, rather than two or three-hour chunks. Consistent sleep assists your brain to consolidate and remember memories more effectively.

According to some theories, sleep increases memory consolidation and the elimination of abnormal proteins in the brain, hence improving overall memory and brain health.

Exercise your mind:

Your brain is like a muscle – you need to use it or you lose it.

Find something you like doing that challenges your brain and do it regularly. It's important to find something that you'll keep up. For example:

·   study for a qualification or course, or just for fun

·   learn a new language

·   do puzzles, crosswords or quizzes

·   play card games or board games

·   read challenging books or write (fiction or non-fiction).

Matters we think about

It has been proven that a person's financial adviser is often the first to notice cognitive deterioration. With trusts being prevalent in Hawke's Bay it's not uncommon to have three elderly trustees in positions of governance. A holistic financial adviser discusses this topic so they can help clients not only to achieve their financial wellbeing but also mental wellbeing.

Financial advisers hence put in place personal finance and health/lifestyle decisions for people with declining mental capacity, working alongside their clients to ensure that they have these documents in place since the adviser's purpose is to mitigate risks associated with their client's goals, objectives, and wishes not being realised. It's a much deeper discussion and a relationship built on fiduciary principles rather than only an investment portfolio.

Nick Stewart is a Financial Adviser and CEO at Stewart Group, a Hawke's Bay-based CEFEX certified financial planning and advisory firm. Stewart Group provides personal fiduciary services, Wealth Management, Risk Insurance & KiwiSaver solutions.

This article is prepared in association with Stewart Partners, Australia. The information provided, or any opinions expressed in this article, are of a general nature only and should not be construed or relied on as a recommendation to invest in a financial product or class of financial products. You should seek financial advice specific to your circumstances from an Authorised Financial Adviser before making any financial decisions. A disclosure statement can be obtained free of charge by calling 0800 878 961 or visit our website, www.stewartgroup.co.nz