SEQUIM — Dr. Carolyn DeSalvo will discuss lifestyle changes to prevent dementia during a free WOW! Working on Wellness Forum on Feb. 8.
The presentation, “Prevention of Dementia: An Integrative Approach,” will be at 2:30 p.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church, 100 S. Blake Ave.
Changes in mind, body
DeSalvo will talk about changes to keep minds sharp and bodies strong as people age.
She focuses on implementing lifestyle change to prevent and treat illness, and one of the disease processes that responds to lifestyle change is dementia, she said.
Drug therapies available now are aimed only at slowing the progression of the disease, not reversing it, she said.
Fortunately, many people respond to changes in diet and lifestyle, she said, and these changes are likely to be even more effective if started ahead of time to prevent the disease, rather than waiting until the symptoms appear.
DeSalvo is a physician with more than 25 years’ experience. She graduated from the University of Kansas School of Medicine in the top 10 percent of her class and did two years of additional fellowship training in integrative medicine led by Dr. Andrew Weil.
Education program
WOW! Working on Wellness is a health education program of the Dungeness Valley Health &Wellness Clinic, Sequim’s free clinic.
The clinic provides basic urgent care and chronic health care services to uninsured community members.
The clinic is supported by more than 70 volunteers, including physicians, other professional health care providers and laypersons, as well as private and public donations from the Sequim community and beyond.
The Basic Urgent Care Clinic is open to patients at 5 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays.
Those interested in supporting the clinic can call 360-582-0218.
