The power of a holistic approach to healthcare is a game-changer for our bodies and minds, especially as we age. This is a story about two individuals, Judith and Matthew, who, like millions of others, are navigating the challenges of getting older. They noticed subtle changes in their mobility and memory, which led them to seek medical advice. However, their experiences highlight a fragmented healthcare system that often overlooks the deep connection between brain health and physical well-being.
Enter Dr. Manuel Montero-Odasso, a geriatrician and researcher, who has dedicated his career to changing this fragmented approach. His research reveals that as we age, our mobility and cognition can decline, and this decline can be exacerbated by conditions like mild cognitive impairment and dementia. But here's where it gets controversial: Dr. Montero-Odasso believes this decline is not our destiny, and he's working to prove it.
His holistic approach advocates for addressing the full spectrum of aging challenges, from dementia to mobility issues, and from Alzheimer's to the risk of falls. With funding from the Canadian Consortium on Neurodegeneration in Aging (CCNA), Dr. Montero-Odasso has developed a set of 10 mobility and cognitive tests to assess a range of functions, from walking speed to the ability to walk and talk simultaneously. These tests have standardized the diagnosis of physical and cognitive impairments in older adults, making it more consistent and reliable.
Under Dr. Montero-Odasso's leadership, the CCNA's Mobility, Exercise, and Cognition team has explored the benefits of combining physical and cognitive training. Two major studies, the SYNERGIC Trial and the Synergic at Home Trial, showed that a combination of aerobic and resistance exercises, along with cognitive challenges, is highly effective in improving health in older adults. The team designed a personalized program that targets various cognitive functions, from memory to executive skills.
But here's the part most people miss: not all physical activities are created equal when it comes to protecting cognition. Walking, while great for cardiovascular health, isn't enough to prevent or delay dementia. Dr. Montero-Odasso emphasizes the need for a mix of aerobic and resistance exercises coupled with cognitive training.
Building on these findings, the team is developing clinical guidelines to help healthcare professionals prescribe lifestyle-based activities, including physical and cognitive training, to treat mild cognitive impairment, a condition that can lead to dementia.
Dr. Montero-Odasso's holistic approach also focuses on preventing falls, a major issue affecting a third of seniors worldwide. He and experts from 40 countries developed the World Fall Prevention Guidelines, which are now endorsed by the Canadian Geriatrics Society and adopted in several countries. These guidelines incorporate the patient perspective and consider key factors like cognition, walking speed, balance, and fear of falls, providing practical tools like an algorithm to predict fall risk and recommend targeted interventions.
Dr. Montero-Odasso believes that focusing on both brain and body health should be a priority for all Canadians over 65. He challenges the notion that we age because we stop moving, arguing that it's never too late to make lifestyle changes.
So, what do you think? Is a holistic approach to healthcare the way forward for older adults? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
