Caring for a senior loved one with Alzheimer’s disease involves many factors, including maintaining a nutritious diet. Though there isn’t any sure way to prevent Alzheimer’s disease, several studies have found a healthful diet can reduce the risk. Try incorporating these foods or diet plans into your loved one’s menu to keep his or her mind and body healthy.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Omega-3 fatty acids found in certain types of fish, such as salmon, mackerel, and lake trout, have been shown to lower the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. A 2007 study found that eating these nutrients slowed the accumulation of proteins associated with the tangles and plaques in the brain that cause Alzheimer’s to occur.
Seniors who want to remain healthy as they age can benefit in a variety of ways when they receive professional senior care. Assisting Hands Home Care is here to help your loved one accomplish daily tasks, prevent illness, and focus on living a healthier and more fulfilling life.
B Vitamins & Folate
Folate, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12 can also reduce Alzheimer’s risk. High levels of amino acids called homocysteines, which are found in blood, have been associated with a higher risk of the disease. These nutrients can break down the homocysteine and reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s. Whole grains, beans, legumes, nuts, and seeds are all good sources of these nutrients.
Mediterranean Diet
A 2006 study performed by the Columbia University Medical Center showed seniors who followed the Mediterranean diet were 40 percent less likely to develop Alzheimer’s than those who had a poor diet. The Mediterranean diet consists of eating foods high in olive oil, consuming a large amount of fish, fruits, vegetables, grains, and nuts, drinking wine moderately, and eating little to no red meat.
One of the most challenging aspects of caregiving is motivating older adults to switch to nutritious meals. Families who find it difficult to care for their aging loved ones without assistance can benefit greatly from professional respite care. Danville, CA, family caregivers who need a break from their caregiving duties can turn to Assisting Hands Home Care. Our caregivers can encourage your loved one to eat well, exercise regularly, get plenty of mental and social stimulation, and focus on other lifestyle factors that promote longevity.
MIND Diet
Researchers took the best of the Mediterranean diet and the DASH diet, which is promoted by the American Heart Association, to create the MIND diet. The Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay (MIND) diet was shown in a 2015 study to reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease by 35 percent. To follow the eating plan, your loved one should consume the following every day:
- Three servings of whole grains
- One salad and one other vegetable
- One glass of wine
- One serving of nuts
Additionally, berries and poultry should be eaten twice a week, beans should be eaten every other day, and fish should be eaten once per week.
If you have a senior loved one who needs help maintaining a high quality of life while aging in place, reach out to Assisting Hands Home Care, a leading provider of home care Danville families can trust. Our caregivers help seniors focus on healthy lifestyle habits such as eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, and maintaining strong social ties, and we offer mentally stimulating activities that can boost cognitive health and delay the onset of dementia. If you need professional home care for your loved one, our Care Managers are just a phone call away. Reach out to Assisting Hands Home Care today.