Poll shows Canadians foggy on ‘brain health’

Maintaining or improve brain health are changes that may also help reduce Canadians’ risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.

‘Heads Up for Healthier Brains,’ the Alzheimer Society’s nationwide 2007 Awareness Campaign, is a call to action for all Canadians, focusing on what people can do to help keep their brains healthy.

Results from a nationwide public opinion poll, conducted by Leger Marketing for the Alzheimer Society, showed that while Canadians believe in the importance of a healthy brain, they don’t completely understand what it takes to keep this vital organ at its best.

“The poll really shows that Canadians aren’t making the connection between healthy living and a healthy brain,” says Ann Bogue, Education Co-ordinator of the Alzheimer Society of Dufferin.

“While almost 80 per cent of people surveyed said that brain health was as important as physical health, when asked to describe a healthy person, the overwhelming majority referred to things like physical fitness and good eating habits. Only five per cent associated things like being socially or intellectually active as attributes of a healthy person.”

As part of the ‘Heads Up for Healthier Brains’ campaign, the Dufferin Alzheimer Society is sending the message that healthy living and a healthy brain are very much connected, and that there are things people can do that may help to reduce the risk of developing the disease.

“A growing amount of research continues to uncover new and compelling evidence that there are many things we can do to help reduce the risk of developing the disease,” says Laurie Turza, executive director for the Alzheimer Society of Dufferin county.

“For people already living with Alzheimer’s disease, recent studies are also suggesting that taking care of their brain health may improve their quality of life, and even help slow the progression of the disease.”

According to the public opinion poll, which surveyed more than 1,800 Canadians, there are a lot of things people are already doing right.

The majority of Canadians, more than two thirds, appear to eat brain healthy foods and engage in cardiovascular exercise a few days a week. They are also socially active and often challenge their brain, with most people enjoying time with family and friends, taking part in a club or class, or participating in hobbies such as reading, painting or sewing.

However, when asked why they participate in social or brain challenging activities, almost two thirds of people didn’t make the connection to improving brain health.

There are also things the majority of Canadians aren’t doing enough of to help reduce their risk, such as wearing a helmet when riding a bike or rollerblading, or reducing stress through meditation or relaxation exercises.

“Interestingly, the poll also found that Alzheimer’s disease is tied with heart disease as the second most feared illness as people age,” says Bogue. “The good news here? There are things people can do, and choices they can make, that might help to reduce their risk of developing the disease.”

Dr. Geoff Daniel, Psycho- Geriatric specialist, will be speaking at the Info Series on Jan. 24 about this very subject.

For more information on the Alzheimer Society’s public opinion poll, things people can do to help reduce their risk, or on the ‘Heads Up for Healthier Brains’ Awareness Campaign, please visit www. alzheimer.ca.

Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive, degenerative brain disorder that destroys vital brain cells.

Currently, there are 155,000 Ontarians aged 65 years or older with the disease or related dementia, and this number is expected to more than double to 340,000 by the year 2031. By the same year, the total number of Canadians affected will jump from 450,000 to 750,000.

The Alzheimer Society is a nationwide, not-for-profit health organization dedicated to helping people affected by Alzheimer’s disease. The Society develops and provides support and educational programs for people with the disease, their families and their caregivers. The Society is also a leading funder of Alzheimer research and training in Canada.

For more information, please contact Ms. Bogue at 519-941-1221. You may also e-mail her at annbogue @alzheimerdufferin.org