East Midlands: Survey offers insight into dementia

However, many in the region are unclear about the causes and the actions they can take which could help reduce their dementia risk.

New research from Bupa for World Alzheimer’s Month has revealed that two thirds of people in the East Midlands think that age and genetics) affect the risk of developing dementia.

Meanwhile, only two in five people think that challenging their brain with mental exercises could affect their risk and just a quarter realise that social interaction with friends and family may also impact on their chances of getting dementia.

The survey also found that only half of people living in the East Midlands believe that reducing alcohol intake may influence the risk of developing dementia, while just a third realise being overweight can pose a risk.

The survey results coincide with the launch of the World Alzheimer Report 2014, produced by Alzheimer’s Disease International and a team of researchers led by Professor Martin Prince, from King’s College London, to mark World Alzheimer’s Month in September.

The report, entitled ‘Dementia and Risk Reduction: An analysis of protective and modifiable factors’, highlights that there is increasing evidence that giving up smoking, doing more physical activity and controlling high blood pressure through diet and exercise could all help to reduce a person’s risk of developing dementia. Having a good education is also beneficial in the fight against dementia. The full survey results and report can be found at www.bupa.com/dementia