A diagnosis of dementia limits your ability to make an estate plan in Florida. Your estate planning documents are likely to face a challenge if there is a question of whether or not you were of sound mind at the time that you drafted them. For this reason, it is a good idea to start your estate planning early.
Needless to say, it is also desirable to avoid developing dementia in the first place. According to the Mayo Clinic, there are a number of risk factors that may lead to dementia. Some relate to your behaviors and are therefore changeable.
1. Nutrition
Your risk of dementia increases with low levels of certain vitamins, such as folate and vitamin D, in your diet. A Mediterranean diet rich in produce, nuts, seeds, whole grains may help to restore these nutrients. You may also take dietary supplements.
2. Smoking and heavy drinking
Smoking may cause damage to your brain and blood vessels, which could contribute to dementia. Your risk could also increase with heavy alcohol use, although opinions differ about the risks and benefits of moderate drinking.
3. Exercise
You are at risk of becoming obese, which is a risk factor for dementia, if you do not exercise sufficiently. In addition, a lack of exercise may be a risk factor in itself.
4. Medical conditions
These include diabetes, heart disease and sleep apnea. Treatment to bring them under control can help lower the risk.
Additionally, there seems to be a link between depression and dementia, especially when the former occurs later in life. However, it is not entirely clear whether depression is a cause or a symptom.
The information in this article is not intended as legal advice but provided for educational purposes only.
