Auburn Hill Senior Living in Midlothian, Virginia

The Future Of Alzheimer’s & Dementia

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September is World Alzheimer’s Awareness month, so we are taking this opportunity to look at the future of Alzheimer’s. Science has brought us a long way from treatment plans available 100 years ago, but we still have a long way to go to completely understand risk factors, treatment, and hopefully someday, a cure. 

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, global cases of Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia are expected to triple by 2050. This is in spite of the growing education and efforts to diminish the disease worldwide. Why the increase?

Global efforts are actually projected to eliminate up to 6.2 million cases by the year 2050. However, with an increase of smokers, rising numbers of obesity cases, and more cases of blood sugar disorders, the number of Alzheimer’s and other dementia cases is projected to increase by 6.8 million.

Another contributing factor is the fact that, by 2050, 16% of the population will be over the age of 65. Thanks to modern medicine and scientific research, people are living longer, so our elderly populations make up an ever-increasing portion of our global population.

Can Dementia Be Prevented?

There is still a long way to go in Alzheimer’s and dementia research to develop better treatment and prevention plans, but some things have been correlated to the disease. 

These are some steps you can take in reducing your risk of developing Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia:

  • Don’t smoke. If you are currently a smoker, now is the time to quit, regardless of your age. 
  • Maintain a healthy weight. Studies have shown that higher body mass indexes may contribute to risk for Alzheimer’s.
  • Exercise regularly. Make it a daily goal to move as much as possible. Take an exercise class, go for a walk, or pick up an active hobby to keep yourself sharp. 
  • Eat a healthy, well-balanced diet. Consuming nutrient-dense foods every day while limiting processed foods and added sugars can go a long way in the prevention of many diseases in your golden years, including Alzheimer’s.
  • Be vigilant with health concerns. If you have been diagnosed with diabetes, high blood pressure, or some other disease, be diligent about following your doctor’s orders to manage it. 
  • Don’t stop learning. Pick up a new hobby, do crossword puzzles, and read to keep your mind sharp and stimulated.
  • Be social. Don’t skip your social events, family dinners, or get-togethers with friends. Get involved in community events and organizations.
  • Help raise awareness. While September is World Alzheimer’s Month, November is National Alzheimer’s Month. Learn more about it and how you can get involved and raise awareness by clicking here. 

Is There A Cure For Alzheimer’s?

While there is currently no cure for Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia, palliative care is typically recommended by medical professionals. The goal is to keep the person at home and maintain their independence as long as possible. 

All care plans are developed around keeping the patient safe. There is typically a point at which the family of the patient must decide to make the move to a community with a memory care program in order to keep their loved one safe and provide them the highest quality life possible.

The Auburn Hill Experience

Auburn Hill Senior Living

★★★★★

My sister moved into Auburn Hill’s Memory Care called Innovations. The team takes excellent care of her. Everyone is nice and has a smile. The “vibe ” is calm and relaxing. Hygiene is excellent! The meals I ate, as a guest, were all chef quality. Fresh, real food. The activities team works hard to create a variety of fun activities. Bo, the marketing director, is honest. I had no unpleasant surprises. The first day a caregiver asked me (concerning hygiene), “Is there anything you want me to do?” WOW! That one question demonstrates the team’s commitment. All department managers and Kelly, the Executive Director, are easy to reach. It is a beautiful building in a beautiful location.”

-Sherry R.

At Auburn Hill Senior Living, we know the importance of nutritious food, fun movement, nurturing hobbies, and a full social calendar. Click here to view our Activities Calendar from last month to get a snapshot of our Innovations Memory Care Program’s daily schedule.

We pride ourselves on providing top-notch memory care in our Innovations Memory Care Program. We know that your loved one’s health, happiness, and safety are your top priority. That’s why we thoughtfully designed the layout and warm features of our Memory Care floor at Auburn Hill. 

The goal of our holistic approach to memory care, which we call ENGAGE Living, concentrates on Enriching, Nurturing and Guiding residents to achieve their greatest potential every day. We know from experience that when it comes to memory care, Attitude is everything! Innovations residents and team members Grow together while Embracing individuality.

Want to experience Auburn Hill for yourself?

Schedule a tour! We would love to show you around, let you sample our delicious menu, and introduce you to our resident family and amazing team.