失智症的預防與延緩實證與實務應用

Evidence and Practical Applications for the Prevention and Delay of Dementia

失智症是當前全球共同面臨的一項重大健康挑戰，其罹患率不斷地增加。儘管醫學界持續努力，目前仍缺乏能夠治癒或有效延緩失智症發生的藥物。然而，根據研究顯示高達40%的失智症可歸因於潛在可改變的風險因子，因此透過這些可改變的危險因子提早進行有效的預防介入措施，將能有效預防及減緩失智症的惡化。護理人員若能及早應用實證建議，針對危險因子給予預防衛教指導，並導入失智症的預防延緩措施於高齡或是早期失智症個案，即可有效地延緩失智與失能，提升高齡者或是失智者生活品質，降低照顧者負荷。

Dementia is a significant global health challenge that continues to escalate, with its prevalence steadily increasing. Despite ongoing efforts in the medical field, there is currently no cure or effective medication to significantly delay the onset of dementia. However, research indicates that up to 40% of dementia cases can be attributed to modifiable risk factors. By implementing effective preventive interventions targeting these risk factors early, it is possible to prevent and mitigate the progression of dementia. If nursing professionals can apply evidence-based recommendations early on, provide preventive health education addressing risk factors, and introduce measures to prevent or delay dementia in elderly individuals or those in the early stages of dementia, they can effectively delay cognitive decline and disability, enhance the quality of life for older adults or individuals with dementia, and reduce the burden on caregivers.