Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative condition (1), with complex pathogenesis, sometimes hereditary, characterized by loss of neurons, synapses, the presence of senile plaques and neurofibrillary degeneration (2). It is the leading cause of dementia among older adults, accounting for more than 60% of dementia cases in adults aged 65 years or older (1), and is caused by a combination of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors that affect the brain over time. (4)
In AD, cortical functions such as memory, thinking, orientation, comprehension, calculation, learning ability, language, and judgment are affected. There are behavioral disorders, depression, delusions, confusional states, sleep disorders, and anxiety. (1,2). The disease is multifactorial. Among the risk factors of non-genetic nature already demonstrated are: advanced age, history of dementia in one or more first-degree relatives, female gender, and Down syndrome (3). Other risk factors include: smoking, alcoholism, among others (3). The “control” of Alzheimer’s disease focuses on managing its symptoms, slowing down deterioration, and preventing its progression through lifestyle changes and treatments. It includes the use of medications, such as cholinesterase inhibitors, memantine, and healthy lifestyle habits such as:
- Eating a varied diet, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and lean proteins, limiting saturated fats, trans fats, and refined sugars.
- It is recommended to combine aerobic exercise (walking, swimming), strength training (weights), balance (tai chi, yoga), and flexibility, incorporating social and mind-body activities such as dance therapy.
- Sleep between 7 and 8.5 hours daily, avoid using screens 1 to 2 hours before bedtime, reduce or eliminate the consumption of stimulants such as caffeine, alcohol, or nicotine, especially in the afternoons-evenings.
- Cognitive Stimulation: games and puzzles, artistic activities (painting, drawing, crafts with plasticine), reading, writing, listening to music or singing, and remembering (pleasant events in the patient’s life to stimulate their memory).
- Encourage the performance of daily activities such as household chores (helping to cook-mix ingredients, setting or clearing the table, folding clothes, or sorting socks), gardening: caring for plants, whether indoor or outdoor, family routines such as participating in activities that the person usually performed, such as joining a faith community or visiting familiar places.