This week is National Dementia Awareness Week. A study carried out by the University of Southampton has found that being sociable can help keep your brain healthy in later life.
There is strong evidence to suggest that exercise can also help keep our brains healthy but there is less research into the impact of socialising.
Dr Doug Brown, Director of Research at Alzheimer’s Society, said in response to the study ‘What we do know is that socialising can reduce stress and feelings of isolation for people effected by dementia, and that is why Alzheimer’s society’s activity groups, such as Singing for the Brain and Dementia Cafes can be a lifeline. Evidence shows that the best way to reduce your risk of memory problems is by exercising frequently and eating a healthy, balanced diet and this study suggests that socialising and taking part in community activities could be added to that list’.
The total number of people with dementia in the UK is predicted to be in excess of 1m by 2021. So, while there are no long-term cures, ways of alleviating symptoms are becoming more available and accessible. The power of music to unlock memories and kickstart the grey matter is an increasingly key feature of dementia care. It seems to reach parts of the damaged brain in ways other forms of communication cannot.
With this in mind Fisher Jones Greenwood Wills, Life Planning and Probate department are organising a Tea Dance in the Autumn, to be held in Colchester.
Further details will be released shortly. Our whole team are proud to be Dementia Friends. We are Law Society Accredited and have members in the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners, as well as Solicitors for the Elderly.