More on Dementia: Faduyile says prevention, a call for action for all.

– Steve Ovirih.

The Special Adviser on Health, Ondo State, Prof. Dayo Faduyile, OON has continued to harp on the need to prevent Dementia in aged people as the disease ranks among the challenges affecting Nigerians in the old age bracket.

The former National President Nigeria Medical Association ( NMA) in the weekly Health nugget of his office stressed the need for lifestyle changes in adult to fight against Dementia. ” I will advise that people should workout everyday or at least twice in a week and there is the need to manage chronic illnesses like hypertension and diabetes effectively. ”

While further listing other preventive steps to combat Dementia, the Ikale born Professor of Pathology and Forensic Medicine said, ” the aged should endeavor to carry out brain – challenging activities like Chess, Ludo, Cross word puzzles and they can also indulge in playing any type of musical instrument .”

He added that it is not a bad idea for the elderly to engage their mind by reading books , taking part in group sports, volunteering in community development activities, learning a second language, ensuring healthy new social interactions and above all getting adequate sleep.

While advising on eating habit, Prof. Faduyile noted that it is expedient for people to drink adequately, to eat more fish and sea foods than meat, maintaining that it gets the mind to be very active when one drinks coffee, cocoa and green tea as all these reduce the risk of Dementia.

“Both young and old people should take multivitamins as they aid brain development effectively.

” I state without equivocation that those who live a healthy lifestyle from 40 years are less likely to have Dementia, ” Prof Faduyile added.

He insisted that preventing Dementia is a call for action for all.