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Dementia and Depression

December 4, 2018

Dementia With Depression: Six Ways To Boost Mood

It’s widely recognised that individuals living with dementia are more prone to depression. While one in five people in the UK experience depression at some point, it is predicted this figure is between 20-40 per cent for those with dementia.

Can dementia cause depression?

There may be many contributing causes of depression for someone who has dementia. Here are some examples:

  • Feelings of worthlessness as they may be unable to pursue previous activities they once enjoyed 
  • Feeling isolated from other people as their ability to engage and interact with others can become impaired
  • Low self-esteem due to requiring increasing levels of care and support as the disease progresses

Symptoms of depression

Common symptoms of depression include anxiety, sadness, lack of appetite and more time spent sleeping. They may also lose interest in a pursuit they once enjoyed.

Tips for helping individuals with dementia deal with depression

Seek medical help

If you think that the person with dementia is feeling depressed, speak to your GP or local health professional to find out what help and support is available. A review of medication may also be advised.

Get active

Going for a walk, enjoying some fresh air and being in a stimulating and striking environment, such as a park with beautiful trees, can stimulate mind and body. Exercise also releases feel-good endorphins.

Research indicates that regular exercise may also help to slow down the effects of dementia.

“Regular exercise has been shown to reduce the shrinkage of the hippocampus, the part of the brain that deals with memory and thinking,” says Dr Emer MacSweeney, CEO & Medical Director of Re:Cognition Health.

Interact with the person

Rather than leaving them in front of the TV while you go about daily tasks, involve them in activities and make them feel they have a valuable role to play. This will help to maintain their self-esteem and feelings of self-worth. Everyone needs a focus in life – make sure they feel like they still have a purpose.

Allow them to maintain some independence

Imagine how frustrating it would be for you to have everything done for you and not be able to take control of any tasks. Encourage the individual to do as much for themselves as possible – guide them through a task where appropriate, without taking over completely.

Seek comfort in small pleasures

Engage in the things that they love, whether it be animals, singing, bird watching, knitting, gardening or making art. There are many simple activities that can nourish the senses and brighten the mood.

Put on some music

Music can be emotive for many people, encouraging them to recall meaningful memories. Those living with Alzheimer’s disease may be able to recall memories and emotions and singing along will engage the brain and stimulate the mind.

To get in touch with a Re:Cognition Health specialist, simply fill in the form below:

  • How brain-healthy is your life?

    Below are some questions about things that affect your brain health. If you’re not sure which answer you should choose to some of the questions, you can check the information overleaf.

  • Keeping your brain active

    Just like a muscle, your brain gets stronger when it’s regularly used. You can make sure that you keep your brain active by taking part in a variety of stimulating activities like reading, visiting museums or exhibitions, learning a new language or skill (e.g. cookery, crafts, gardening), challenging puzzles, “brain training” games, or if you have a job that involves a high level of responsibility. Social activity keeps our brains active too, so seeing friends and family regularly and being part of a club or activities in the community is great for your brain.

  • Keeping your body active

    Exercising for brain health should be at a moderately vigorous level, so that you feel warmer and your heart beats faster (e.g. brisk walking, cycling) ideally for at least 150 minutes or more vigorously (e.g. running, Zumba) for 75 minutes, spread throughout the week. It also includes strength, balance and co-ordination exercises. Strength exercises can be using weights or resistance bands, or even carrying heavy shopping! Yoga, pilates, dance or tai chi are great for balance and co-ordination. Exercising with other people keeps you motivated and enhances its effects on brain function. It helps if you can find things that you enjoy, set reasonable goals and be consistent.

  • Keeping your body active

    Exercising for brain health should be at a moderately vigorous level, so that you feel warmer and your heart beats faster (e.g. brisk walking, cycling) ideally for at least 150 minutes or more vigorously (e.g. running, Zumba) for 75 minutes, spread throughout the week. It also includes strength, balance and co-ordination exercises. Strength exercises can be using weights or resistance bands, or even carrying heavy shopping! Yoga, pilates, dance or tai chi are great for balance and co-ordination. Exercising with other people keeps you motivated and enhances its effects on brain function. It helps if you can find things that you enjoy, set reasonable goals and be consistent.

  • Eating well

    A brain-healthy diet is high in fresh fruit and vegetables, wholegrains, beans, nuts, seeds, some fish and poultry, and low in red meat, full-fat dairy products or sweet treats. Butter is replaced by healthier fats like olive oil. Some nutrients that are particularly important for brain health are Vitamin B12 (in fortified foods, meat, fish and dairy products), folate (e.g. in dark green vegetables and in legumes, and in fortified food products), Vitamin E (e.g. in nuts, seeds, spinach, sweet potato, red peppers, asparagus, avocado and mango) and Omega 3 fatty acids (e.g. salmon, mackerel, sardines).

  • Keeping at a healthy weight

    You can check whether you are at a healthy weight by using an online Body Mass Index (BMI) calculator or ask your doctor or nurse.

  • Drinking alcohol in moderation

    The guidance in the UK for drinking alcohol at a safe level for both men and women is to drink a maximum of 14 units or less per week, but if you drink near to 14 units per week these should be spread over 3 days or more. A unit of alcohol is a half pint of average strength beer, a single measure of spirits or half a 175ml glass of wine.

  • Keeping your brain active

    Just like a muscle, your brain gets stronger when it’s regularly used. You can make sure that you keep your brain active by taking part in a variety of stimulating activities like reading, visiting museums or exhibitions, learning a new language or skill (e.g. cookery, crafts, gardening), challenging puzzles, “brain training” games, or if you have a job that involves a high level of responsibility. Social activity keeps our brains active too, so seeing friends and family regularly and being part of a club or activities in the community is great for your brain.

  • Looking after your mental health

    Low mood, stress, anxiety, and poor sleep are symptoms experienced by many people at any stage of life. All can affect our memory in the here and now, and possibly in the longer term. If you have any worries about your mental health, talk to a healthcare practitioner – there are many ways to help, and tablets are not usually the first or only option. Many people with these symptoms find that talking therapies, self-help therapies, exercise or mindfulness techniques are helpful.

  • Quitting smoking

    If there was no smoking at all in the UK, we could reduce the number of people who develop dementia by more than 10%. Information and support about quitting can be found at www.nhs.uk/smokefree.

  • Staying on top of high blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes

    Some people who develop high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes can reverse the changes with regular exercise, healthy eating and weight loss. Others need to take medication but they can often still benefit from these lifestyle changes to help to keep the best possible control of their condition. All of these conditions can affect brain as well as general health, so it is important to have regular checks and to work with your doctor to follow any treatment that is recommended.

  • Staying on top of high blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes

    Some people who develop high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes can reverse the changes with regular exercise, healthy eating and weight loss. Others need to take medication but they can often still benefit from these lifestyle changes to help to keep the best possible control of their condition. All of these conditions can affect brain as well as general health, so it is important to have regular checks and to work with your doctor to follow any treatment that is recommended.

  • Staying on top of high blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes

    Some people who develop high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes can reverse the changes with regular exercise, healthy eating and weight loss. Others need to take medication but they can often still benefit from these lifestyle changes to help to keep the best possible control of their condition. All of these conditions can affect brain as well as general health, so it is important to have regular checks and to work with your doctor to follow any treatment that is recommended.

  • What's your score?

    If your score is less than 12/12 then you may be able to make changes to make your lifestyle more brain-friendly. Please provide your name and email address to find out more about maximising your brain health!
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