Risk of cognitive decline: Lack of exercise and poor nutrition
Stanfield Nursing Home provides specialist dementia care as part of our Worcestershire care. There are many elements to our lifestyle that increase the risk of cognitive decline.
Lack of exercise and poor nutrition
Recently, research at King’s College London has identified that diet and exercise influence risk of cognitive decline by impacting hippocampal neurogenesis long before onset. This is the process by which the brain produces new brain cells.
The investigation studied the blood of 418 participants over the age of 65 with and without cognitive decline. The sample was collected 12 years before cognitive decline and dementia diagnosis.
Over the course of the study, the researchers established that 12 years prior to diagnosis, both cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s were associated with levels of neural stem cell death. It was also found that exercise, nutrition, vitamin D levels, carotenoid and lipid levels are all associated with the rate at which cells die off.
Importantly, researchers found that reduced physical activity and increased malnutrition both increased cell death which in turn increased the risk for future cognitive decline.
Beneficial exercise and foods for dementia
Stanfield Nursing Home specialise in dementia within our Worcestershire care. We have taken special measures over the years to implement a lifestyle that can reduce the risk of cognitive decline.
People are free to spend their time as they wish during the day. We arrange morning and afternoon activities for people to get involved with. This mostly includes exercise and active based activities.
This could involve walking or planting some flowers in our sensory garden. Or people may choose to participate in some chair exercise or a little bit of dancing with visiting entertainers.
There’s lots of ways to enjoy a bit of light exercise at our Worcester care home.
To help reduce the risk of cognitive decline and dementia, it is recommended that protein-based foods need to be eaten alongside at least five portions of fruit and vegetables a day.
No matter what our residents’ care requirements are, we ensure all of them are offered a wholesome and balanced diet.
We also like to vary our nursing home menus which change weekly and seasonally. Typically lunch might be a traditional roast, which our residents particularly enjoy. Fresh fish and traditional casseroles also make regular appearances on our menus.
Stanfield takes pride in using good quality, fresh, and local ingredients to supply those we care for with the healthy diets they need. Check out our blog talking about the importance of quality food and good nutrition.
Contacting Stanfield Nursing Home
If you are seeking more advice on risks of cognitive decline, take a look at our other blog. You can also check out our social media for daily updates. If you want more information on Stanfield Nursing Home’s Worcestershire care then head to our website. Alternatively, you can call 01905 420 459 to speak to a member of our helpful and friendly team.
