Dementia strategy for Canada

The following is from a report called “A Dementia STRATEGY FOR CANADA,“ published by Public Health Canada in 2020. I had two friends who died after getting early-onset Alzheimer’s so I have a personal interest in making sure the information about what we can do about this issue is out to as many people as possible.

 Factors affecting the risk of dementia,

There is growing persuasive scientific evidence that healthy living throughout a lifetime may prevent or delay the onset of dementia. Along with having healthy environments to live in, there are individual health behaviours and other factors that can affect the chance of developing dementia. This list outlines several of the factors identified. Research is underway to further explore the links between the risk of developing dementia, individual actions, and environmental surroundings.

From unhealthy to healthy behaviours:

•         Physical inactivity                                       Be more active.

•         Harmful alcohol use                                    Reduce or quit alcohol use.

•         Smoking in later life (over age 65)             Reduce or quit smoking.

•         Sleep disturbances (e.g., obstructive sleep apnea)  Taking steps towards sufficient and better quality sleep.

Management of these health conditions:

•         High blood pressure (hypertension)

•         Stroke, heart disease and other vascular diseases (affecting blood vessels like arteries and veins)

•          Cholesterol levels

•          Diabetes

•          Obesity

Other factors:

•          Social isolation        Social engagement and inclusion

•          Lower levels of early life education      More years of childhood education

EFFORTS ACROSS CANADA

Encouraging physical activity

 

•         The Sharing Dance initiative gets Canadians moving through dance (National Ballet School of Canada and Baycrest).

•         The Hockey Fans In Training project keeps middle-aged men across Canada at risk of chronic disease active (Western University).

•         The Let’s Get Moving Initiative encourages all Canadians to be more active (ParticipACTION).

Reducing the number of Canadians with chronic health conditions

•          The Activate: Community Hypertension Prevention Initiative increases awareness of high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease risk and how to manage risk factors (Heart and Stroke Foundation, Ontario, and British Columbia).

•          The Canadian Diabetes Prevention Program focuses on physical activity and healthy eating to reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes (LMC Healthcare and Diabetes Canada).

•          The Healthy Living in St. James Town project focuses primarily on South Asian and African populations who have a higher risk for diabetes and high blood pressure (St. James Town Family Literacy Services, Ontario).

 Promoting healthy choices

·   The Walk or Run to Quit initiative reduces tobacco use and increases physical activity (Canadian Cancer Society).

·   The Activate Your Health project encourages employees in the workplace, particularly women aged 25 to 54, to improve eating habits and physical activity (Capsana, Québec).

Picking up the PACE (Promoting and Accelerating Change through Empowerment) aims to help care providers address modifiable risk behaviours such as physical inactivity, excessive alcohol use and poor diet as a part of smoking cessation treatment (Centre for Addictions and Mental Health).

·    Food Fit: Promoting Healthy Eating and Fitness in Low-Income Communities supports increased knowledge about nutritious foods improves cooking/food preparation skills and encourages physical activity (Community Food Centres Canada).

 

Improving our understanding of what contributes to the risk of developing dementia.

·   The PURE-MIND study is investigating the link between covert (small) strokes and dementia (Heart and Stroke Foundation).

·   The New Brunswick Brain Health Initiative: Preventing Alzheimer’s by Lessening Modifiable Risk offers participants support on reducing risk while evaluating risk factors (the University of New Brunswick and Horizon Health Network).

·  Efforts are being made to better understand how lifestyle and personality factors affect the risk of developing dementia (Sylvia Villeneuve from McGill University and CIUSSS de l’Ouest-de-l’Île-de- Montreal-Douglas Hospital, Montreal).

·    Cognitive training programs are being used to learn more about how the brain’s resistance to damage and its ability to change is linked to age-related neurodegenerative diseases (Université de Montréal, Institut Universitaire de Gériatrie de Montréal, Baycrest, University of Toronto).

Improving the knowledge and skills of the health care workforce

•    Online resources are available to ensure health care professionals, professors and students working in French have the opportunity to improve knowledge about neurocognitive disorders and to support safe and effective interventions (Le Consortium national de formation en santé – Volet, University of Ottawa).

 

Baby Boomers Envision Their Retirement: An AARP Segmentation Analysis

Back in 2004 as the early boomers were reaching their late 50’s the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) commissioned a report to see what boomers saw for themselves in retirement. As a result of that report, five well-defined groups of Baby Boomers emerged based on how they did the report. Because the sample was randomly selected and represents the population of Baby Boomers across the United States, the AARP decided they could reasonably assert that the five segments represent natural groups in the population as a whole.

A detailed portrait of each of the five segments is in the report (If interested do as search for Baby Boomers Envision Their Retirement: An AARP Segmentation Analysis). I thought it would be interesting to see what these segments were, and I am trying to find out if there is any research on what actually happened when by 2014 all of the early boomers retired. The following is a brief description of the five segments that comprise the Baby Boomer generation includes:

The Strugglers (9%) — Of the five Baby Boomer segments, the Strugglers are the lowest income group, with a median household income of nearly $30,000 below that of the average Baby Boomer. This group is disproportionately comprised of females (64%) rather than males (36%). The Strugglers are saving virtually no money for retirement because they simply have no money to save. The Strugglers, it seems, are not even in a position to prepare for retirement. Compared to other groups, they report having given relatively little thought to retirement (where they will live, what they will live on). A majority say they look ahead to their later years with very little sense of optimism.

The Anxious (23%) — The Anxious are best characterized by their sense of apprehension when they look ahead to their later years. Although they fall below the average Baby Boomer’s household income level (by approximately $10,000), with their limited means, they currently strive to put some money aside for retirement. But the Anxious do not expect to be rewarded with financial well-being when they retire. Indeed, many do not expect to be able to stop working. In addition to their anxieties about their retirement finances, the Anxious also express great concern about their health care coverage during their retirement years.

The Enthusiasts (13%) — Unlike the Strugglers and the Anxious, who fear not having enough money in retirement and look toward their later years with very little optimism, the Enthusiasts could hardly be more eager to reach their retirement years. A defining characteristic of this group is that Enthusiasts—without exception—do not plan to work at all during retirement. Indeed, they envision having plenty of money and plenty of time for recreation. For them, retirement promises to be a time free of the rigors of working.

The Self Reliant (30%) — The Self Reliant segment—which boasts the highest income and educational level of any group in the segmentation—has the resources to save and is aggressively putting money into retirement-oriented investments. However, in contrast to the Enthusiasts, the Self Reliants want to continue working at least part-time after they retire. Indeed, the contrast with the Enthusiasts could not be more striking: whereas all of the Enthusiasts expect to stop working, only 1% of the Self Reliant expect to not work at all. But what motivates the Self Reliant to continue working is not the pay, but rather the interest and enjoyment that work provides.

Today’s Traditionalists (25%) — In describing this group, who make up one-quarter of the Boomer population, the word traditional comes to mind. This segment, in many of their attitudes toward Social Security and Medicare, seems to have a stronger sense of confidence and less of an attitude of uncertainty than the other segments displayed toward these programs. But this group is not totally traditional: Today’s Traditionalists plan both to work and to rely on Social Security and Medicare during retirement.

Figure 2. Selected Top Characteristics Of The Five Baby Boomer Segments

The Strugglers

·        Not putting money into any of the savings vehicles asked about in the survey.

·        Not satisfied with the amount putting away for retirement.

·        Find it hard to save for retirement with so many other needs right now.

The Anxious

·        Not optimistic about retirement.

·        Not satisfied with amount putting aside for retirement.

·        Greatly concerned about health care coverage during retirement.

The Enthusiasts

·        Plan to not work at all when retired.

·        Optimistic about retirement years.

·        Can’t wait to retire.

The Self Reliant

·        Currently putting money into a wide array of savings vehicles, and fairly sure they can count on these as sources of retirement income.

·        Satisfied with amount currently putting away for retirement.

·        Plan to work part-time mainly for interest or enjoyment sake.

Today’s Traditionalists

·        Confident Social Security will still be available when they retire.

·        Confident Medicare will still be available when they retire.

·        Plan to work during retirement.

Medical Myths of Ageing Smoking, Sex, and the take away

Medical News Today is an interesting newsletter that comes out with all sorts of fascinating material In the latest installment of our Medical Myths series, they tackle myths associated with ageing. Because ageing is inevitable and, for some people, frightening, it is no surprise that myths abound.

The article was written by Tim Newman on September 7, 2020, and fact checked by Anna Guildford, Ph.D.

In our Medical Myths series, we approach medical misinformation head-on. Using expert insight and peer-reviewed research to wrestle fact from fiction, MNT brings clarity to the myth-riddled world of health journalism.

6. There’s no point giving up smoking now

Whether this is a genuine myth or merely an excuse, some older adults say that there is no point in giving up smoking at “their age.” This is not true. As the NHS clearly explain:

“No matter how long you have smoked for and no matter how many cigarettes you smoke a day, your health will start to improve as soon as you quit. Some health benefits are immediate, some are longer-term, but what matters is that it’s never too late.”

7. Sex is rare or impossible as you age

Some people believe that older adults lose their ability to enjoy sex and that their sexual organs become unfit for purpose. This, thankfully, is a myth.

It is true that the risk of erectile dysfunction (ED) and vaginal dryness increases as people age, but for most individuals, these are not insurmountable problems.

Sildenafil (Viagra) and lubricants or hormone creams can work wonders in many cases. Before taking Viagra, though, it is essential to speak with a doctor, as it is not suitable for everyone.

An article in the International Journal of Clinical PracticeTrusted Source indicates that around 0.4% of men aged 18–29 experience ED, compared with 11.5% of men aged 60–69. However, flipping that statistic on its head makes it much less daunting — almost 9 out of 10 men in their 60s do not have ED.

Intercourse between older people may be less fast and furious, but that is not necessarily a bad thing. As one author writes, “Growing old does not necessarily discontinue a healthy sexual life, but it does call for redefining its expression.”

There are certain benefits, too. For instance, a male’s penis often becomes less sensitive, helping them maintain an erection longer.

It is true that as some people grow older, they do not have the same sexual desire or drive as when they were young, but this is by no means the case for everyone.

To end this section on a high, below is a quote from a survey study that involved 158 older adults. Although the participants reported that they were having less sex than a decade earlier, the authors write:

“A remarkably robust sex life was evidenced by both the men and the women, even until advanced old age.”

The take home.

Overall, most of the myths surrounding age seem to center on inevitability. People believe that it is inevitable that they will gradually crumble into dust as their lives become increasingly unbearable, boring, passionless, and painful.

Although certain aspects of health might decline with age, none of the above is inevitable for everyone. As we have discovered, a positive psychological outlook on aging can benefit the physical aspects of aging.