Dementia is a progressive, debilitating condition that can make everyday tasks difficult or impossible. You may have noticed in the news that dementia has been connected to increased rates of cancer, stroke, and heart disease. This is because people with dementia have weaker immune systems; they are more likely to get sick and less likely to be able to recover from the illness once they do.
On the other hand, there are a variety of ways that residents living in dementia memory care facilities can boost their immunity and prevent these illnesses from developing. Below are five ways dementia care residents can boost their immune systems.
1.) Use Multivitamins
Multivitamins are a great way to protect yourself from developing dementia and other serious illnesses as you get older. Multivitamins not only give your body the nutrients it needs to function well, but they also stimulate the immune system. While many of us are used to taking multivitamins daily, most do not actually know that they strengthen our immune systems.
This can be an excellent way for people living in a dementia care facility to protect themselves from developing diseases as a result of their weaker immune systems.
2.) Get Plenty of Exercise
Taking the time to exercise is another great way to prevent or control serious illnesses like dementia and other degenerative conditions. People who are more physically active tend to have stronger immune systems than those who do not exercise, so it makes sense that people living in dementia care facilities should try to get as much physical activity as possible.
It is also important to keep in mind that taking a walk every day, for example, does not count as physical activity; people who are living with dementia in care facilities should aim for at least thirty minutes of continuous physical activity each day.
3.) Follow a Hygienic Lifestyle
Maintaining good hygiene is another great way to boost your immunity and prevent your body from getting sick. Being hygienic is especially important for people who are living with dementia because they may not be able to tell if they have an infection. Cleaning your teeth, changing into clean clothes, and using rubber gloves when you wash your hands are some of the best ways to protect yourself from illnesses in this way.
4.) Get Enough Sleep
Studies have shown that people who sleep seven hours or more each night are less likely to get sick and less likely to die from any of a variety of common conditions. Getting enough sleep is a great way to stay healthy in this way, so people living in dementia care facilities should try to get as much sleep as possible. This can be an especially big problem for dementia memory care residents who are sleeping in individual rooms.
5.) Strive for Mental Balance
Following a healthy lifestyle is incredibly important, but so is maintaining good mental health. In particular, people who are living with dementia should try to maintain a healthy outlook on life. This means that they should make an effort to try to put things in perspective, evaluate what is important and prioritize their life goals.
6.) Stay Updated on Vaccinations
One of the best ways to maintain a strong immune system and prevent yourself from getting sick is to stay up to date on your vaccinations. Many people have forgotten about annual flu shots, but they are an essential way to protect yourself from getting sick. In addition to getting yourself vaccinated, it’s a great idea to ask if your dementia memory care facility has a policy on annual vaccinations.
7.) Avoid Drugs That Aren’t Prescribed to You
Many people living in care facilities are prescribed drugs to control their behavior, which is another reason why they are at risk of getting sick. In addition, many of these drugs also have other side effects that can have an adverse effect on a person’s immune system. Avoiding drugs that are being prescribed to the other residents of the care facility is one way to protect yourself from being exposed to these other risks.
8.) Do Proper Management of Chronic Conditions
Most people living in care facilities have chronic health conditions, including people with dementia. In some cases, they may not even be aware of these conditions. For example, if you are living with Alzheimer’s disease, you may not notice that you have an infection in your teeth until it is too late. You can do your part to protect yourself from getting sick by properly managing your chronic conditions and visiting your doctor regularly.
9.) Care for Your Feet
Wearing slippers instead of shoes is another simple way to protect your feet from getting sick. It is especially important to care for your feet in this way if you are living in a dementia memory care facility that has high levels of foot traffic. In addition, it is a great way to maintain good hygiene because you will always have clean feet to walk around on.
10.) Avoid Crowded Rooms
No matter what type of care facility you are living in, it is important to avoid potential risks like crowding. People living in dementia memory care facilities often have difficulty talking with other people and getting attention from them, which means that they are more likely to become sick if they are in crowded rooms. In addition, they are more likely to need assistance with their daily activities if they are in crowded rooms.
11.) Control Your Blood Sugar Levels
Like diabetes, people who are living with dementia can get sick because of their blood sugar levels. Many people do not realize that they can often control their blood sugar levels by eating foods that have healthy ingredients or eating healthier foods. In addition, it is important to avoid sugary foods, desserts, and alcohol as much as possible.
Conclusion
Dementia is a degenerative condition that has a wide range of effects on the body. Dementia can make it difficult or impossible for people to do things for themselves and many dementia care facilities try to meet those needs. However, it is also important for people living in dementia memory care facilities to take steps to protect themselves from developing serious illnesses. By implementing the tips above, you can do your part to keep yourself healthy and reduce your risk of developing serious illnesses as a result of your dementia.