ENGLAND’S top dementia doctor is encouraging older people to get involved in activities like walking football.

Professor Alistair Burns hailed as ‘innovative’ community schemes for people with dementia. run by Premier and Football League including Everton and Aston Villa.

The national clinical director for dementia and older people’s mental health for NHS England said: “There are simple lifestyle changes people can make to reduce their risk of getting dementia. Eating a healthy diet and exercising even through gentle workouts like walking football, drinking less, not smoking, keeping up your social networks and ensuring your mind stays active can all help.

“Dementia can lead to social isolation with people feeling disconnected from their communities and families after a diagnosis which is why community schemes like these are vital in helping people maintain connections and live rich, active lives.”

He also highlighted the English Football League Trust is creation of ‘Extra Time Hubs’ including in Bolton and Wigan for people in their retirement years to meet on a weekly basis to socialise.

Adrian Bradley, its head of health and wellbeing, said: “We recognise that many football supporters will be diagnosed with or affected by dementia.”