Spend Time with a Friend to Protect Your Brain from Dementia

Spend Time with a Friend to Protect Your Brain from Dementia By Esther Heerema, MSW Time with true friends can reduce stress and provide joy in our lives. It turns out that these social times might also be serving an important function for our brains. Some research has found that socialization is correlated with a lower risk of developing dementia. And, in an age where we still lack effective treatment and prevention, that's good news! Tips on Spotting these 8 Types of Elder Abuse  Did you know that approximately 86% of elder abuse perpetrators are related to the abuse victim? Or, that experts estimate that 10% of people over the age of 60 have experienced at least one type of elder abuse? Learn how to spot and protect against these 8 types of elder abuse.     READ NOW 9 Options for Caring for a Person with Alzheimer's Disease  Perhaps you or your loved one has a recent diagnosis of Alzheimer's or another kind of dementia. Checking out the various options for care before that care is needed can help you plan well for the future. READ NOW Do Flu Shots Increase the Risk of Alzheimer's Disease?  Mention flu shots and other immunizations in a group setting and it's likely you will hear some strong opinions from those around you. So, what does science say- specifically about the influenza vaccination and an increased risk of dementia?  READ NOW "Catastrophic Reactions" and WhyThey Occur in Dementia  If you've ever seen someone who is living with dementia react in a disproportionate way to the situation, you may have seen a catastrophic reaction. Learn more about what they are, why they happen and how you can reduce and respond to them. READ NOW How "Mad Cow Disease" Differs from Alzheimer's  Sometimes called "Mad Cow Disease," Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease has some notable differences when compared to Alzheimer's disease.  READ NOW Can Social Interaction Protect Your Brain from Dementia?  Can friendships and social interaction reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease and other types of dementia? Some research seems to indicate this possibility.   READ NOW Advertisement READ THESE NEXT How Much of a Nutrition Whiz Are You? What's Your Fitness Personality? Does Your Child Have Any Symptoms of a Brain Tumor? Quiz: Are You At Risk For Burnout? What Type of Leadership Do You Have? Could You Have Fibromyalgia? Are You More of an Extrovert or an Introvert? Understanding Rheumatoid Arthritis AN ABOUT.COM BRAND You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the Alzheimer's & Dementia newsletter. If you wish to unsubscribe, please click here 1500 Broadway, 6th Floor, New York, NY, 10036 © 2016 Verywell.com - All rights reserved. Privacy Policy.