Why Alzheimer's Society, EJ?

225,000 adults will develop dementia this year, which works out as one every three minutes.  That's my gran, and it's possibly yours too.  In fact, over 70% of adults in care homes have dementia or severe memory loss, with the cost of dementia care in the UK likely to double in the next 25 years.

Alzheimer's Society works towards giving a voice to those with dementia, running programmes which ensure they have choice and control over their own care and support; they provide vital information and support to carers, empowering them to access the services they need; they invest £10 million each year into dementia research projects working towards a cure; and they campaign for greater government involvement in improving the lives of people affected by dementia in the community.

What about loneliness, EJ?

Alzheimer's Society also plays a key role in the Campaign to End Loneliness, which you can read more about here:

https://www.campaigntoendloneliness.org

Chronic loneliness has been proven to be as bad for your health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day, and puts a person at significantly greater risk of dementia, heart disease and depression.

Given that there are at least 1.2 million chronically lonely older people in the UK (Age UK 2016), take a moment today to have a word with an older person in a shop, ask how a passerby's day is going, or give an elderly relative a call!

EJ, what about my brain too?

Some studies have found that cognitive training can improve memory and thinking.  Whilst none have conclusively proven that 'brain training' prevents dementia, the research in this field is still relatively young.  While you're still relatively young, why not give it a go:

http://www.peak.net

https://www.elevateapp.com

https://www.lumosity.com

Wait, EJ, you're running?

I'm as surprised as you are!