How can I reduce my risk of developing dementia?

Just like we care for our bodies, our brains also need attention, and maintaining a healthy brain is key to reducing the risk of cognitive decline.

Dementia Australia has included valuable information on brain health and ways you can reduce your risk of dementia in the free Community Education Toolkit.

The free interactive videos are designed for community groups and organisations however they are available to anyone interested in learning more about brain health and dementia.

Lois, who belongs to a church group in Melbourne, said watching the Community Education Toolkit in a group and then taking part in the interactive activities was a great way to learn more about brain health and dementia.

“I liked that the toolkit related to people, not just information,” Lois said.

“Dementia is something that not everyone knows enough about.

“People seem to not know about dementia until it affects them.”

Reducing dementia risk

St Vincent’s Hospital and University of Melbourne Psychiatrist Dr Terence Chong presents the section on brain health.

“Although we can’t definitively prevent dementia, there are lots of different ways that we can all reduce our risk,” Dr Chong said.

The videos provide practical tips to keep your brain healthy to lower the risk of dementia including:

• Maintaining social engagement
• Maintaining a healthy lifestyle
• Eating a balanced diet
• Getting quality sleep 
• Keeping your brain active

Keeping your brain healthy can mean something different for everyone.

It is important to test out what works for you and chat to other people in your life or a General Practitioner with any questions or concerns.

Find out more

You can find out more about how to maintain your brain health and reduce your risk of dementia on the Dementia Australia website.

For more information about the Community Education Toolkit, including access to the videos on brain health, visit the Dementia Australia website.

Dementia Australia’s Community Education Toolkit is funded by The Lionel & Yvonne Spencer Trust.