A Program that aims to mitigate the risks of dementia through healthy eating

In Canada, more than half a million persons live with dementia and it is predicted that this number will rise to nearly 1 million by 2033. This is an unsustainable trend.

The number of new diagnoses can be potentially reduced through public education and lifestyle changes that mitigate the 12 modifiable risks of dementia.

A growing body of research identifies 12 potentially modifiable risk factors.

  • Physical inactivity
  • Smoking
  • Excessive alcohol consumption
  • Air pollution
  • Head injury
  • Infrequent social contact
  • Less education
  • Obesity
  • Diabetes
  • Hypertension
  • Depression
  • Hearing impairment

If all these risk factors could be modified, up to 40% of cases of dementia could be delayed or prevented. It is noted that most of the risk factors can be managed by proper nutrition and lifestyle changes.

Mindful Eating. Healthy Minds. encourages healthy eating and social interaction

In June 2023, Hope for Dementia in partnership with People Before Patients and St. Laurent Volunteer and Community Centre (ABC Centre) launched the Mindful Eating. Healthy Minds. Program, which consists of a series of healthy eating activities for seventy-five seniors.

Participants are guided through program activities by a peer volunteer.  The activities include:

  • A workshop on mindful, healthy eating.
  • Educational material, including delicious, easy-to-prepare meals.
  • Group preparation of healthy meals.
  • Food baskets with ingredients for healthy meals, which participants can prepare on their own or with friends.

Participants must –

  • Be 65 years and older and live in St. Laurent.
  • Must commit to participate in all the activities of the program from June – December 2023.

This program is free of charge and participants must register to participate. Contact Hope for Dementia if you are interested in participating in this program. Send an email to info@hopefordementia.org

Peer volunteers are needed to help coordinate the activities, and pack food baskets. This is a non-remunerated volunteering activity, with a travel allowance.

Peer volunteers will accompany seniors to one workshop on interesting ways of preparing brain healthy meals as well as how to eat mindfully.

The volunteers will organize with the seniors, the preparation of group meals during the project.

In the months when there is no group meal, volunteers will help with the delivery of food baskets.

Volunteers must –

  • Commit to lead a group participants throughout the program.
  • Provide 3 hours of service/month for group meals and basket delivery.
  • Participate in a training session.

If you are interested in being a volunteer, please contact us info@hopefordementia.org

This program was initially funded by Employment and Social Development Canada’s New Horizon for Seniors Program and continues with a generous grant from the Gloria Baylis Foundation.