Dementia is predicted to be the number one killer in Australia within the next three years. Nearly half a million Aussies are currently living with dementia, which is a collection of symptoms caused by disorders affecting the brain.
About 40 per cent of dementia diagnosis is linked to 12 risk factors, including high levels of cholesterol and obesity, that can be affected by diet and exercise.
“The emerging evidence is showing these risk factors for dementia actually span across a lifetime … and can potentially be targeted earlier,” said Dr Amanda Cross, a research fellow in dementia at the Centre for Medicine Use and Safety, Monash University, Melbourne.
Dr Cross is running a three-year trial looking at 500 people, aged 45 to 65, across 34 GP clinics in metropolitan and regional Victoria and NSW, who have two risk factors, to see how they respond to regular check-ups with a nurse, and an app developed in conjunction with the CSIRO that tracks their health. Alternatively, they will receive a booklet about reducing their risk and a GP referral.
People who have a family history of dementia plus one other risk factor will also be able to participate.
“The primary outcome is to look at the risk factors for dementia and reduce them,” Dr Cross said.
Dementia is associated with elderly people, yet it’s estimated there are about 30,000 Australians under 65 who have the disease.
The Holistic Approach in Primary Care for Preventing Memory Impairment and Dementia (HAPPI MIND) is currently recruiting participants.
