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MENTAL HEALTH
6
q
life and health
Support.
For details on our
Alzheimer’s Support Group, see
our calendar on page 8.
There is no guaranteed way to prevent
Alzheimer
’
s disease, but experts agree
that certain activities can help maintain
a healthy brain. The Alzheimer
’
s Associa-
tion recommends the following:
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Eat a heart-healthy diet. What's good
for your heart is good for your brain. Add
dark-skinned fruits and vegetables to
your diet, such as spinach, broccoli and
eggplant. Enjoy some salmon, halibut or
tuna. And have an occasional handful of
almonds, pecans or walnuts. Keep your
diet low in saturated fats and high in
antioxidants.
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Stay physically active. Keep your
weight down. At least one study has
linked obesity in middle age to dementia
later. Make exercise a part of your daily
routine.
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Challenge your brain. Take classes. Play
games that work your memory, such as
crosswords, puzzles or bridge. Attend
lectures and plays. Read and write.
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Stay socially active. Volunteer in your
community, join a club or travel with
friends. People who interact with others
are more likely to maintain brain health
than those who isolate themselves.
What you can do to help maintain your brain
WHO
hasn’t struggled to find the right word or the name of a close friend?
It happens from time to time as we grow older, but is it a cause for worry?
According to the American Medical Association, there are ways to
distinguish typical aging from Alzheimer’s disease or dementia.
Is it Alzheimer’s disease or normal aging?
Normal Aging
Dementia
Independent in daily activities such as
eating, bathing and dressing.
Dependent on others for help with daily
activities.
Complains of memory loss, but can still
provide details regarding incidents of
forgetfulness.
If asked, may admit to a memory
problem, but is usually unable to recall
examples.
More concerned about his forgetfulness
than are close friends and family.
Less worried about his forgetfulness than
family and friends.
Remembers recent events.
Frequently unable to recall recent events.
May have occasional trouble finding the
right word, but can carry on a normal
conversation.
Unable to communicate thoughts and
ideas. Conversations difficult.
Does not get lost in familiar territory.
Can get lost walking or driving on streets
he or she has traveled for years.
Can operate common appliances but
may be unwilling to learn how to use new
appliances or equipment.
Has difficulty using common appliances
and is unable to learn how to operate
new ones.
Social skills remain intact.
Loss of interest in socializing. May exhibit
inappropriate behaviors.
Performs normally on mental status tests.
Performs poorly on mental status tests.
Studies have shown that most
people experience declines in the
ability to learn and remember as they
age, and for the majority this is no
cause for concern. The alterations in
memory associated with Alzheimer’s
disease or dementia patients are
much more pronounced and inter-
fere with the person’s ability to safely
perform even the simplest activities
of daily living. When that happens, it’s
time to seek medical help.