Promoting mental activity in clinical practice

Patients concerned about their risk of developing dementia should be encouraged to remain mentally active throughout life.  Older patients or those who are retired may be at particular risk of becoming less mentally active and should be encouraged to maintain regular participation in cognitively challenging activities.

Mental activity should be regular, reasonably complex and varied.  It should involve continued new learning.  It should also be something the patient enjoys so it can be sustained.  It could include anything that challenges the mind, for example:

• Working (full-time or part-time) or volunteering
• Hobbies – gardening, art, craft, collecting, etc
• Taking a course, learning a language or a new skill

Patients wanting to increase their cognitive activities could be referred to their local council or adult education provider.  Health professionals can also provide follow up to monitor progress and encourage continued participation.

The 5As model based on interventions shown to be effective in motivating behaviour change in general practice patients could be applied to mental activity. 

• Ask about the patient’s current mentally challenging activities
• Assess their level of risk and their readiness to change
• Advise them of the need for mental stimulation and provide information about what they can do
• Assist them to find activities they will enjoy and to plan how they will increase their level of mental activity
• Arrange referral to any appropriate services and follow up appointments

The 5As model for detection, assessment and management of risk factors is outlined in the SNAP guide.