Is Dementia Curable? 5 Ways to Help Dementia Patients

Dementia is a condition that creates many challenges for people who suffer from it. It also creates challenges for caregivers of dementia patients. The difficult nature of this condition frequently leads people to question whether dementia is curable.

The answer: The general consensus among mainstream medical professionals is that dementia is not curable. There is not a one-size-fits-all cure for dementia, largely because dementia is a complex condition that can have varying causes. A remedy that may help one dementia patient might not help another because the underlying causes of their conditions are different.

However, there are many possible ways to help dementia patients. Clinical research exists demonstrating many potentially helpful therapies that can assist with reducing or alleviating certain dementia symptoms.

One common type of dementia is vascular dementia, which is characterized by memory loss and other problems with a person’s thought processes. The primary cause of vascular dementia is impaired blood flow to the brain, which results in the brain damage that then manifests as dementia. It can also be caused by the narrowing of the blood vessels. In some cases where blood flow is blocked, it may be possible to remove the blockage. If the blockage can be removed, it is possible that the dementia symptoms might either be reduced or vanish completely.

In many cases, this is as simple as getting more blood flow to the brain.

The following are 5 things that could potentially be helpful to these and other dementia victims:

Do Yoga Inversions

There are many yoga poses that require you to invert the body so the head is lowered. This can help to increase blood flow to the brain, which could potentially have a healing effect on some dementia symptoms. This is particularly helpful for people suffering from vascular dementia.

Use Brain-Boosting Herbs and Vitamins

There are many brain-boosting herbs that could potentially be helpful to dementia patients for a variety of purposes. Taking Ginkgo Biloba and cayenne pepper together will create a powerful combination that can help to increase blood flow to the brain. The experts at Psychology Today have noted that ginkgo has a greater likelihood of being helpful to vascular dementia patients than it is to be helpful to those suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. They also suggest ginkgo and ginseng together are a more powerful combination than ginkgo alone.

Turmeric has a long history of use in Ayurvedic medicine. It has also been clinically researched as a potential remedy for Alzheimer’s disease, with positive results. In one small study, long-term usage of turmeric resulted in significant improvement in the patient’s Alzheimer’s-related behavioral symptoms.

It is possible that vitamin B12 might also be helpful for alleviating some dementia symptoms.

Implement a Cardiovascular Exercise Program

In some cases, improved circulation could be the key to removing a blockage to the brain that manifests as dementia. In these cases, cardiovascular exercise could be one way of improving the patient’s symptoms and comfort levels.

Brisk walking is an ideal way to begin exercising regularly because it doesn’t require any fancy equipment, it is low impact and most people can successfully manage to do it. However, it is always recommended that previously sedentary elderly patients seek a doctor’s oversight with implementing a new exercise program.

Make Use of Health Insurance

Some dementia patients experience only mild symptoms and are able to continue caring for themselves. Others endure such severe symptoms that they need others to help care for them. In some cases, private health insurance can provide coverage for dementia care. Getting outside help can empower dementia patients to continue living with dignity in cases where they are no longer able to care for themselves.

Try Other Therapies

There are many other activities and therapies that may be helpful to dementia patients. These include regular reading, music therapy, and any other sort of activity that helps to keep the brain agile and active.

While there is no known cure-all for dementia, there are many things that can be done to help dementia patients. The things listed above are good starting places for assisting dementia patients with various aspects of their condition.

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