Do you like the color purple? Do you know someone who has, or had, Alzheimer’s disease?
We’re a little more than a week away from the summer solstice – the longest day of the year. The Alzheimer’s Association is promoting wearing purple that day, June 20, to show support for those with Alzheimer’s and for Alzheimer’s research.
For more information, visit act.alz.org/site/TR/LongestDay2021.
June is Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness month. It’s a time to recognize the millions of people worldwide and all the families and caregivers locally who are affected by Alzheimer’s.
One of the most feared diseases, it’s still not known how to prevent or cure Alzheimer’s, or other dementias. Research continues, but there are known lifestyle choices you can make to promote good brain health.
You can take charge. It’s never too late for action toward good brain health. There’s a great new resource called the BrainGuide. It’s created by an organization called UsAgainstAlheimer’s – the “us” meaning all of us.
BrainGuide is free and easy to use. It can help whether you’re interested in protecting your brain health, you’ve been diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or Alzheimer’s, or you’re concerned about a loved one.
You can access it in English or Spanish online at www.mybrainguide.com or by phone at 855-BRAIN-411.
The platform provides automated, confidential memory questionnaires that can be self-administered or taken as a caregiver. Once the questionnaire is complete, tailored resources are suggested based on the answers provided. Privacy is protected. You can also just browse.
There’s a Brain Resource Center where you can click and read about any number of common questions and topics.
Lifestyle plays an important role. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about medications you take and possible side effects on memory, sleep and how your brain works. Exercise is important. If you don’t exercise regularly you might want to ask your health care provider about your personal situation and how to get started.
Watch what you consume. Google “The Mind Diet” to learn about how to physically support your brain through diet.
The good news is keeping active with friends and family is good prevention – and fun. Being social with others is terrific brain stimulus. Learn new things. Change your regular regime, and make your brain try a different challenge.
For those already diagnosed with a form of dementia, or who are caring for someone with the disease, there are many tips to consider on a daily basis.
What to do all day? Building on existing skills or interests generally works better than trying to teach something new. Break activities into small steps and provide encouragement at each step. Don’t ask a question you know the person can’t answer.
Be calm and don’t forget to smile. Avoid talking as if the person wasn’t there. Call the person by name and make sure you have his or her attention before speaking. If you see signs of agitation or frustration, shift attention to something else for a moment, it can help.
Limiting distractions during meals can help a person concentrate on eating. Large-grip utensils or finger food can help. Have healthy snacks on hand and keep them visible. Using a bowl instead of a plate can help too. Check out The Alzheimer’s Store at www.alzstore.com for handy gadgets.
Sometimes dementia is equated with total inability to reason or make decisions. This is not true. Disease progression varies widely. People should not be deprived of participation in decisions regarding their own care.
Check out www.AreaAgencyonAging.org, and click on “Caregivers” to read and/or sign up for a free caregiver newsletter.
Check out www.CampusforCreativeAging.org to learn about a Caregiver Support Group held every third Tuesday in conjunction with Caring Circle. The next one is June 15. Give it a try.