WHO Dementia Prevention Guidelines Updated

To reduce the risk of cognitive decline and/or dementia specifically, the WHO just released updated guidance and dementia-specific recommendations: cognitive training may be offered to older adults with normal cognition or mild cognitive impairment and engagement in cognitive stimulation may be encouraged. Engagement in social activity interventions may be recommended. Physical activity should be recommended to adults with normal cognition and may be recommended to adults with mild cognitive impairment. Interventions aimed at reducing or ceasing hazardous and harmful drinking may be offered. Interventions for tobacco cessation should be offered to adults who use tobacco. A healthy, balanced dietary pattern may be recommended, but supplementation of vitamins B and E, omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and multivitamins/minerals is not recommended. Interventions for reducing midlife overweight or obesity may be offered and dietary restriction interventions may be offered to adults who are overweight or obese. Management of diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidaemia at midlife, may be offered. Hearing aids may be offered to adults with hearing loss. Menopausal hormone therapy is not recommended in postmenopausal women aged 65 years and older. Reducing exposure to household and ambient air pollution may reduce the risk or incidence of cognitive decline and/or dementia. Tailored, multidomain interventions may be offered. Source: https://www.who.int/