Grey Power September 2018

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NZ GREYPOWER MAGAZINE » SEPTEMBER 2018
The exercise and dementia link
Dementia is an umbrella term used
to describe a group of symptoms
that affect how a person’s brain
works. Approximately 60,000 Kiwis
have dementia and that number is
expected to almost triple by 2050.
BY NZ REGISTER OF EXERCISE PROFESSIONALS (REPS)
While dementia
can affect anyone,
the chances
of developing dementia
increase as a person ages.
The most common
form of dementia is Alzheimer’s
disease with two
out of three of those diagnosed
with dementia having
Alzheimer’s.
Symptoms vary between
individuals but
common ones include
changes in memory,
thinking, behaviour, personality
and emotions
which have an impact on a
person’s everyday life.
Dementia is progressive,
with the changes that
affect the brain slowly
spreading and making
symptoms worse.
Just 30 minutes a day,
five days a week is all
that’s needed to ward of a
range of lifestyle diseases
and conditions, and is the
minimum level recommended
to reduce dementia risk.
There has been no single
cause linked with the
onset of dementia however
research released
in 2014 in The World Alzheimer
Report suggests
that there are some simple
steps people can take regarding
their lifestyle in
order to reduce the risk of
dementia in later life.
They recommend that:
‘what is good for the heart
is also good for the brain’
and that any changes to
lifestyle factors can have
an impact, meaning it’s
never too late to start
making health improvements.
Maintaining healthy
weight, exercising moderately
and regularly and
eating a well balanced diet
will help prevent high cholesterol,
high blood pressure,
diabetes and obesity
in the short term and in
the long term reduce your
dementia risk. Being a
nonsmoker and consuming
alcohol at safe levels
can also help.
Just 30 minutes a day,
five days a week is all
that’s needed to ward of a
range of lifestyle diseases
and conditions, and is the
minimum level recommended
to reduce dementia
risk. When we think of
exercise we should also
include mental activity as
well as physical. By learning
new skills and completing
mentally challenging
activities can help keep
you alert.
Social contact is one of
the benefits of group exercise.
Whether it’s walking
with company, taking
a class, or heading to an
exercise facility or gym,
being among like-minded
people while getting active
is a fantastic way to keep
social and healthy.
When we think
of exercise we
should also
include mental
activity as well
as physical.
If you are worried
about someone you love
displaying symptoms of
dementia, or if you are
experiencing these symptoms
yourself, then an appointment
with your GP is
the first step, as an early
diagnosis means treatment
and management
can begin. But don’t wait
for the signs, start now by
reducing your risks by becoming
active and making
healthy lifestyle choices
today.
References:
www.alzheimers.org.nz
www.moh.govt.nz
Driving Miss Daisy. We’re family
when family can’t be there!
Maintaining your
independence
Driving Miss Daisy is NZ’s number 1 friendly
and reliable companion driving service.
We can drive and accompany you to:
• Medical and other appointments
• Family/social occasions
• Companionship outings
• Take your pets to the vet
• Grocery or other shopping trips
• Scenic drives
• Airport departures and pick ups
Total Mobility available in most areas and an ACC approved provider.
For further information or to
make a booking call us on
0800 948 432
www.drivingmissdaisy.co.nz
Keeping your independence is
something this is very important
to most people; they value
being able to go about their daily life
without feeling like they’re being a burden
on family members or friends.
When your independence is compromised
through disability or loss of
your licence, this can make life less enjoyable
to begin with. However, there’s
no reason that you can’t still remain
in control of your life and do what you
want to do at a time that suits you.
Studies have shown the importance
of social interaction for maintaining
optimal health and wellbeing. That can
be as simple as a trip to the supermarket
or coffee with friends. Sometimes,
it can be more adventurous and include
trips further afield, as the heart desires.
Total Mobility Scheme
In order to encourage social interaction
and independence, the government
created an initiative called the Total
Mobility Scheme, which is delivered locally
by your regional council.
The scheme is designed to assist
clients with long-term impairments to
access appropriate transport to meet
their daily needs and enhance their
community participation.
For further information contact
your local Age Concern,who are happy
to help you find out if you are eligible
and advise you how to apply. The Total
Mobility Scheme is available in most
areas.
Once you’ve been accepted, you can
access discounted travel with many
providers in your region and throughout
New Zealand, including with Driving
Miss Daisy who is an accredited Total
Mobility Scheme provider.
Driving Miss Daisy provides assistance
to help you to maintain your
independence, and always aims to put
the joy back in the journey. Your independence
is key to us and we love
knowing that we’re making a difference
in our clients lives.
Driving Miss Daisy will take you
wherever you want to go, at a time that
suits you.
Remember - you’re in charge!