Health Minister Jeanne Atherden has urged residents to eat well and exercise to help prevent Alzheimer’s disease.

She warned of the links between lifestyle choices and the crippling condition as she attended a special fashion show run by a support group for families of dementia patients.

“Alzheimer’s, we are learning, is not just hereditary but may also be influenced by our lifestyle choices,” Ms Atherden said.

“Studies have shown, for example, that people with diabetes are at particularly high risk of Alzheimer’s disease and that people with high insulin levels — long before they get diabetes — may already be on the road to Alzheimer’s disease.

“The thought is that as the body becomes more and more overweight, it becomes more and more resistant to the blood-sugar-lowering effects of insulin. To counter this insulin resistance, the body keeps making more insulin, and one dangerous, possible effect of high insulin levels is insulin-caused brain inflammation which increases brain levels of beta-amyloid — the main ingredient, if you will, in the sticky plaques that clog the brains of people with Alzheimer’s disease.

“We absolutely need to take steps to decrease the risk of this disease by eating right and exercising.

“Swap a fried lunch for a salad, have an apple for a snack instead of a bag of chips, take a walk during your lunch break, take the stairs instead of the elevator.

“Imagine if there is indeed a chance that the cumulative effects of such simple steps was all that stood between you and Alzheimer’s disease — wouldn’t you do them? I think so.

“I now walk the stairs at work instead of the elevator.”

The Alzheimer’s Family Support Group’s fashion show was held to coincide with World Alzheimer’s Day on Sunday and this week’s Dementia Awareness Week — the first time this has been marked on the Island.

Ms Atherden told how she was “extremely supportive” of their work helping Alzheimer’s patients and their carers.

“Caregivers need support and they also need to know that they are not alone,” she said. “Since taking on the role of Minister responsible for Health, I have become increasingly aware of the growing incidence of Alzheimer’s both here in Bermuda and around the world.

“It is clear that the population of Alzheimer’s patients is increasing and, therefore, it almost goes without saying that there will be an increasing need for care of those with Alzheimer’s in the future.”

Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia. The progressive disease destroys areas of the brain, causing memory loss, confusion, and eventual loss of speech, understanding and movement. There is no cure but some drugs can help to ease the symptoms.

Dementia Awareness Week is being organised by the Action on Alzheimer’s and Dementia (AAD) charity, which believes better quality care is needed for the nearly 1,000 individuals with dementia in Bermuda.

“We’ve seen just the tip of the iceberg,” said AAD president Elizabeth Stewart, whose late mother suffered from Alzheimer’s. “People are living longer and it’s estimated roughly 50 million people are living with dementia worldwide.

“But it’s not just a disease of the elderly — individuals can be diagnosed with Alzheimer’s as young as 30. In Bermuda we are aware of some people with Alzheimer’s who are in their 40s.”

Ms Stewart launched AAD in 2012 to offer support to patients, their carers and families. The charity provides resources, emotional support and financial assistance to those in need, along with free home assessments and occupational therapy.

Weekly activities and therapy for sufferers are held at Windreach Recreational Village and Peace Lutheran Church.

AAD is working to train medical professionals, carers, nursing homes and other health services about the best care and treatment for patients.

“Contrary to popular belief, dementia is not normal aging,” Ms Stewart said. “It is a disease like cancer and we need to start treating it as such, from national policy to public perception.”

AAD is hosting a string of events that are being held to mark Dementia Awareness week this week.

These include a free public presentation tonight about dementia at Tradewinds Theatre from 6-7.30pm, while on Friday, September 26, a rum-tasting fundraiser sponsored by Bacardi will be held at Bermuda Society of Arts from 6-8.30pm. Tickets cost $50.

A documentary about the healing power of music will be screened on Saturday, September 27.

Alive Inside, winner of the 2014 Sundance Film Festival Audience Award for US Documentary, follows social worker Dan Cohen, founder of the non-profit Music and Memory, as he demonstrates music’s ability to combat memory loss.

Mr Cohen will speak and answer questions after the movie. The screening is also at the Tradewinds Theatre, starting at 5pm, and tickets cost $20. For tickets to any of the events or to attend the free presentation, e-mail alzbermuda@yahoo.com or call 707-0600.

Action on Alzheimer’s and Dementia urges families keen to attend the support group or in need of advice about caring for relatives, or who want a relative to attend the activity events, to e-mail them on alzbermuda@yahoo.com

“Our hope is that the whole Bermuda community begins to understand this disease better, so that more support, resources and policies can be put in place to help people with dementia,” Ms Stewart said. “With a strong support network, good care and activities that help connect them with others, individuals with dementia can continue to lead enriching lives.”

More information about the disease and caring for patients can be found on AAD’s website, www.alzbermuda.com