Dr. Vitorovic Outlines 3 Dementia Care Steps in Well-Being Wednesday

Q: Beyond medical advice, what crucial support do dementia caregivers often overlook?

The most overlooked support is often for the caregiver, not just the person with dementia. Experts consistently point to caregiver self-care, emotional support, and respite as essential, because burnout can undermine both the caregiver’s health and the quality of care. Dr. Vitorovic’s guidance focused on spotting dementia early and getting medical evaluation when symptoms are frequent, worsening, and disruptive. But the broader evidence shows caregivers also need nonmedical support: regular breaks, help from family or community services, and permission to ask for assistance before exhaustion sets in. Respite care, adult day programs, and volunteer help can give caregivers time to rest, manage their own appointments, or simply recover. Emotional support is another major gap. Caregivers commonly experience guilt, grief, frustration, and isolation, yet many do not seek counseling or join support groups. Alzheimer’s and caregiver organizations offer peer forums, hotlines, workshops, and practical coaching that can reduce stress and help families manage difficult behaviors, communication problems, and daily routines. Caregivers also often delay legal and financial planning. Early help with powers of attorney, benefits, long-term care options, and safety planning can prevent crises later. In practice, the strongest support plan combines medical care for the patient with practical tools, community resources, and protection of the caregiver’s own mental and physical health.

Q: What is the single most effective lifestyle change to protect your brain from dementia?

Regular physical activity is the strongest single lifestyle change backed by the evidence to help protect the brain from dementia, though experts stress it works best as part of an overall healthy routine. That fits the guidance highlighted around Dr. Vitorovic’s dementia discussion: brain health is closely tied to overall health. Across the supporting research, exercise is the most consistently supported intervention, with studies linking it to about a 25% lower dementia risk on average. The practical target most experts recommend is at least 150 minutes a week of moderate activity, such as brisk walking, cycling, swimming, or similar movement. The reason it matters is straightforward: exercise improves blood flow to the brain, supports heart and blood vessel health, reduces inflammation, and may help preserve memory-related brain function over time. Research also suggests that avoiding long stretches of sitting matters, too. Breaking up sedentary time with short walks or movement appears especially beneficial, even for people who already exercise. Still, no doctor would say one habit alone guarantees protection. The best evidence points to combining exercise with good sleep, control of blood pressure, diabetes and cholesterol, social engagement, and a brain-healthy diet such as the MIND diet. But if the question is which single change gives the clearest, most reliable benefit, regular movement is the best answer.

1 articles · Updated · KRNV · Jun 18

Dr. Vitorovic said the latest Well-Being Wednesday segment focuses on early dementia signs, how they differ from normal age-related memory changes, and when patients should seek medical advice.
Early recognition is the central message: the guidance aims to help people distinguish routine aging from symptoms that warrant a conversation with a healthcare provider.
Renown directed viewers to renown.org/WellbeingWednesday for more information, framing the segment as practical care guidance rather than a diagnosis tool.