Sir Ian McKellen hints ‘memory really does get worse’ with age
Dr Zoe says walking can reduce risk of dementia
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Famed for playing Gandalf in The Lord Of The Rings, Sir Ian McKellen is beloved by fans all over the world. The Oscar nominated actor accepts that “limitations”, however, are to be expected in life. “We all have limitations, don’t we, however old we are,” the 83-year-old said in a candid interview. “But there are times in life when the memory really does get worse and the mind doesn’t work as it should.”
Could McKellen be hinting towards mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or dementia? Both conditions are more likely to occur in older age.
McKellen told Radio Times: “If you were to get to the stage where you couldn’t remember anything at all, well, that would be very distressing. Fortunately, I’m not there yet.”
If you hang onto his last word, “yet”, is McKellen suggesting that his memory doesn’t work as well as it used to?
In his younger years, he has taken leading roles in films such as Gods And Monsters (1998) and The Prisoner (2009).
It is also advisable to temper levels of stress, which can make memory and thinking problems worse.
Moreover, doing regular physical exercise is key to improving your health and reducing dementia risk.
“Keep your brain active with puzzles, quizzes, reading or anything else you enjoy that stimulates your mind,” the charity added.
Sir Ian McKellen stars in The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, which is airing on Sunday, September 11, on Channel 4 at 11pm.
By learning his lines, McKellen has engaged his mental faculties, which should help to keep the brain agile.
In fact, by still performing on stage, it would make sense that McKellen still has to learn his lines and thus is keeping his brain active.
What’s the difference between mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia?
The Alzheimer’s Society clarified: “MCI is a condition in which someone has minor problems with cognition – their mental abilities such as memory or thinking.
“In MCI these difficulties are worse than would normally be expected for a healthy person of their age.
“However, the symptoms are not severe enough to interfere significantly with daily life, and so are not defined as dementia.”
Up to 20 percent of people aged over 65 are estimated to have MCI, which can lead to:
- Forgetting recent events
- Repeating the same questions
- Less robust reasoning, planning, or problem-solving skills
- Very easily distracted
- Taking much longer than usual to find the right words for something
- Struggling to judge distances, such as navigating stairs.
“Most healthy people experience a gradual decline in mental abilities as part of ageing,” the charity confirmed.
If you have MCI, there are steps you can take to help minimise the condition progressing to dementia.
The Alzheimer’s charity suggests taking any prescribed medication as directed by your doctor, such as those to bring down your blood pressure.
“If you do smoke, now is a good time to stop,” the charity advised. “If you drink, check you are well within the recommended limits.”
What are the recommended limits?
While there is no safe level of drinking alcohol, to minimise harm – aside from abstaining – it’s best to have several drink-free days and to have less than 14 units during a week.
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It is also advisable to temper levels of stress, which can make memory and thinking problems worse.
Moreover, doing regular physical exercise is key to improving your health and reducing dementia risk.
“Keep your brain active with puzzles, quizzes, reading or anything else you enjoy that stimulates your mind,” the charity added.
Sir Ian McKellen stars in The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, which is airing on Sunday, September 11, on Channel 4 at 11pm.
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