In this article the Rural Doctors Foundation explores the high rates of dementia in rural Australia.
We also look at the early warning signs of dementia and how mental exercise can help strengthen the brain and lower your risk.
People in regional and rural communities of Australia are three to five times more likely to develop dementia. It’s a prevalent health issue and something that researchers from the University of South Australia are trying to better understand – with the hope of finding out how to reverse these unfortunate statistics.
The challenges of preventing and managing dementia for rural Australians
There is currently little known on how to prevent and manage risk factors for people outside cities. The known modifiable risk factors (things you have control over), such as diet, social isolation, and exercise, can be more difficult to manage because of the realities of rural and regional life.
For example, distance and geographic isolation make it harder to socialise or join groups and classes. Gyms may be few and far between, and access to safe footpaths for exercise aren’t always available the further you get from cities. These are just some examples of why city-based solutions won’t necessarily work for people living in rural and regional areas.
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