Avoiding Dementia in Retirement

So you’re about to retire or perhaps you have already done so. What are your plans? Golf three times a week? A daily swim in the pool? Regular fishing trips with a friend?

But wait! You’ve recently heard of a former colleague who retired just a few months ago who has been diagnosed with some form of dementia and is unable to enjoy his retirement as he had hoped. Where did he go wrong? What can you do to delay, or prevent, you suffering the same fate?

It seems that, although ongoing research is being undertaken, we still have much to learn about the causes and treatment of dementia. Until that research confirms as yet unknown ways to slow down, or even prevent, the onset of dementia perhaps the simplest and best advice might be to lead a healthy life.

I can almost hear your sigh of relief as you think, “But I already lead a healthy life and have done so for years so I should be OK.”

I guess we all have varying definitions of what constitutes a healthy life but perhaps the area in which some of us are not doing as well as we can is in the area of our eating habits. Do we really eat a balanced and nutritious diet? Do we avoid, or at least limit, our consumption of ultra processed foods which look good, taste good, and perhaps don’t do nearly as as much good as advertised on the box?

Remembering always that the transition from a busy working life to a life in which we can get up later, take things more leisurely and have less to do or commitments to keep, we should always make a conscious effort to remain physically and mentally challenged. Don’t drive to the shops but walk there and, while you’re walking, nurture and enhance your social connections with the shopkeeper and with friends you meet on the way. Have a coffee with those friends and take the opportunity to put the world to rights!

Walking is a great relaxation but you can also use walking time to plan some other activity you have in mind. Perhaps you want to learn a new language in preparation for that holiday in Spain that you’e planning. How will you do that and how will you fit it it into your schedule? What is the Spanish for a healthy retirement?.

I find that following these few tips, my (semi-retired) life is very enjoyable and fulfilling, and – it cannot be coincidental – I sleep so very well. Sleep is another vital part of a healthy life and we should all make sure that we get enough quality sleep

Obviously I cannot guarantee that I will not get some form of dementia but I can guarantee that I will keep doing my very best to avoid it!