Did you know that how people use their time—whether it’s sleeping, sitting or being physically active—can significantly influence their future risk of dementia?
Recent research shows that these lifestyle factors are intrinsically linked to each other and influence overall brain health and dementia risk.
A/Prof Ashleigh Smith
It has led to a new ‘My Ideal Day’ tool being built thanks to funding from The Hospital Research Foundation Group, to help over 65s live healthier lives and reduce their risk of dementia.
Developed by Associate Professor Ashleigh Smith, Dr Dot Dumuid and team from the University of South Australia, the online tool gives people a personalised approach to reducing their dementia risk and considers their balance of activities across a 24-hour day known as “time-use composition”.
“Let’s consider the best daily ‘time-use composition’ for dementia risk reduction as the peak of a mountain,” A/Prof Smith explained.
“Increasing Moderate-to-Vigorous Physical Activity (MVPA) would be the shortest, steepest route to the top.
“However, increasing MVPA may not be practical for everyone, especially those with chronic health conditions. There are other, less strenuous paths that are more achievable and sustainable for many people.”
By focusing on this balance and what people can do, the ‘My Ideal Day’ tool provides personalised recommendations to older adults to help them make informed changes to their daily routines.
“We are individually supporting older adults to shift their 24-hour time use towards healthier balances of sleep, sedentary behaviour and physical activity, thereby reducing their risk of dementia,” A/Prof Smith said.
“The novelty of the personalised ‘My Ideal Day’ tool lies in its recognition that not everyone can achieve the same physical activity levels, particularly the higher intensity activities.”
Now that the ‘My Ideal Day’ tool has been designed, A/Prof Smith has been able to secure Federal Government funding to test it in a trial called ‘Small Steps Towards Dementia Prevention.’
The team is looking for participants to be involved! If this sounds like you, please see the eligibility criteria below.
People interested in participating in trialling the ‘My Best Day’ tool, need to meet the following eligibility requirements:
- You are at least 65 years of age.
- You reside within the Marion, Onkaparinga or Yankalilla council regions.
- You are fluent in English.
- You do not have a current diagnosis of dementia.
- You do not have a major neurological or psychiatric diagnosis.
- You do not have a known intellectual disability or major physical disability.
- You are NOT meeting current Australian physical activity guidelines (150 mins of moderate intensity physical activity) and have been deemed safe to participate in physical activity or have clearance to do so from a health professional.
- You have access to and are competent in using technology, such as a mobile phone, tablet, or computer and have access to regular internet connection.
To learn more, visit https://redcap.link/smallsteps, call (08) 8302 1365 or email [email protected].
The team is also working to adapt the tool to help people with arthritis and heart disease. We can’t wait to keep you updated on this exciting work.
