“Join the Movement: Prevent Dementia with Lifestyle Changes in Utrecht Region Campaign”

2023-05-17 16:51:44

The GGD Utrecht region, municipalities and care and welfare organizations are joining forces to give everyone in the Utrecht region insight into what you can do yourself to prevent dementia. The campaign will start in the Utrecht region on 22 May ‘We are the medicine ourselves’. The kick-off will take place in the Plus Café in Nieuwegein.

Up to 30% of dementia cases can be prevented
The campaign runs from 22 May to the end of November throughout the province of Utrecht and is based on three lifestyle recommendations:

• Stay curious (have a goal: a hobby, learn something, your own garden)
• Eat healthy (lots of fruit and vegetables, olive oil, don’t smoke)
• Exercise regularly (go for a walk or swim, keep busy)

Dementia cannot be cured and there is no cure yet. Trying to prevent dementia is the best option we have. By living healthier you reduce the chance of developing this disease. If you want to reduce the risk of many serious chronic diseases, it is best to start as early as possible.

Kick-off in Nieuwegein
The kick-off of the campaign will take place in Nieuwegein during the Plus Café in the Second Floor library in Nieuwegein City Hall. Alderman Marieke Schouten and Director of GGDrU Carola Koper will give the official starting shot for the campaign this afternoon. Carol Buyer: “Many people know that a healthy life is important for your heart and blood vessels, but that it also applies to your brain is less known. We want to change that with this campaign. Research shows that up to 30% of dementia cases can be prevented through a healthy lifestyle.”

Dementia: one of the major issues for the coming years
As a GGD board member, Mariëtte Pennarts is actively involved in the Longer Healthy Self-employed theme, she is also an alderman in Woerden. She emphasizes the need for a healthy lifestyle: “Dementia is one of the major issues for the coming years, for which we must prepare now. This can be done by showing people what support is available and training volunteers to recognize dementia and help people. In addition, we must focus on tackling the risk factors, such as: smoking, little exercise, diabetes, high blood pressure, little mental challenge, depression and severe obesity. That is what this campaign focuses on.”