http://www.care2.com/greenliving/5-ways-to-slow-down-alzheimers.html
5 Ways to Slow Down Alzheimer’s
By Paula Spencer, Caring.com
The memory loss and other cognitive changes characteristic of Alzheimer’s disease and most other forms of dementia can’t be reversed. But there are some proven ways to delay further decline, at least over the short term.
1. Mental Activity
A growing body of research indicates that stimulating the brain has the power to slow the progress of Alzheimer’s, particularly in the early stages. Healthy elderly adults who are mentally active were 2.6 times less likely to develop dementia, according to the Rush Memory and Aging Project, an ongoing longitudinal study involving more than 1,200 older people.
- Encourage the person in your care to participate in activities she finds pleasurable, especially those that engage the mind: reading, writing, playing the piano, working crosswords or puzzle books, playing games such as chess, or even learning a language. Present her with fresh materials or plenty of opportunities.
- Local senior centers and adult daycare programs are more than just a way to “pass the time.” They excel at providing stimulating activities, including group storytelling, music, art, and games.
- Some research suggests that activities are especially protective when they involve interacting with others. Healthy people who are socially active tend to have fewer memory problems than those who are more reclusive.
- Arrange for help around the home, if possible, but avoid relieving her of all her customary responsibilities. Participating in daily chores can be a form of mental workout, too.
The catch with mental stimulation:
It’s important that someone with dementia find the activity pleasurable. If she finds studying Spanish or learning to use a computer frustrating because of existing cognitive declines, don’t push it. Also avoid formal mental “exercises” or memory drills. They may stress her, causing symptoms to worsen.
Too much social activity can also be stressful. Outings are best when low-key (small dinners as opposed to, say, big parties) and when they last under two hours.
2. Daily Life Modifications
Simplifying the living environment and providing the tools to assist her existing memory can help her maintain independence longer. This has the benefit of reducing stress and slowing further decline.
- Find ways to minimize any tasks she may worry about. For example, you could arrange electronic bill paying, hire a lawn service, enlist a young neighbor to handle her laundry, or cancel subscriptions to magazines she never reads.
- Help her keep her home free of piled-up newspapers, old mail, and other clutter.
- Look into electronic reminder systems, note-keeping systems, or commercially available tools that can help to prop up a faulty memory.
The catch with daily life modifications:
Be sure to make changes gradually. Too many abrupt changes — removing all the clutter from a messy home in one sweep, for example — can be disorienting and stressful to someone with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia and hasten her decline rather than slowing it.
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19 comments
add your comment »im sure this computer have this as its so slow and dont know what its doing poor thing . i think it time for the knaced yard for it
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Very good guidelines to live by & some informative comments.Thanks
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PAM F.
I can appreciate your predicament.
I also happen to think that failure to do something when something could - and should - be done is tantamount to a crime. It is criminal negligence.
But you seem like a brave individual: you do it. You bring it up. (Perhaps at a family gathering?)
It'll probably make you "unpopular" (at least for a while), but I would think that to anyone with a conscience that would be a negligible point.
Good luck!
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Get up off the couch, Turn Off The Booby Tube That Pollutes Your
Mind, and Walk Around The Block Once A Day. MOVE IT OR LOSE It ! The Best Medicine For This Is OXYGEN, OXYGEN, OXYGEN !!!
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My name is Kathy and I am the full time caregiver for my eighty one year-old Dad who has Alzheimer's and lives with me in North Carolina.
When my Mom died in 2004 and Dad moved in with me, I had no idea what to do. But day by day, I found ways to cope, and even enjoy having my Dad with me.
So I started writing a blog at www.KnowItAlz.com, which shows the "lighter" side of caring for someone with dementia.
After a while, I added over 100 pages of helpful information and tips for caregivers. We even have a Chat room so caregivers can communicate with each other from home. Art and music are a very large part of my Dad's therapy.
Please pass this link along to anyone you feel would enjoy it.
Thanks!
Kathy Hatfield
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My MIL has symptoms of Alzheimers, but none of the "kids" are willing to approach their dad or her about their concerns - this is a family that doesn't talk about anything "unhappy".
Help?!? Thanks!
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Low levels of Vit. D are not good. The Dr. has to give you a blood test to check those levels. If they are low, he will give you a prescription. Also, I agree with Keith and spices. I try to eliminate everything that has aluminum in it: toothpaste, shampoo, deorerant, baking powder, no plastic or aluminum pots, foil, etc.
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Marcel is correct. Vitamin E, Aspirin, Gingko, and Fish Oil (among other things) all impact bleeding times. Since many patients with Alzheimer's are on mulitiple medications, one should always ask their physician before adding supplements. Many patients with Alzheimer's are also impacted with the other diseases of Americans...particularly cardiovascular diseases where clotting times are important. ER's and Drs. are getting better about asking what supplements one takes, but not always!! Make a list of current meds including these for emergency personnel and explore physicians in your area who might know more about supplements and their interactions with traditional meds.
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I agree that an adequate diet is a vital part of an anti-Alzheimer's regime. But it's a pity that spices were not mentioned in this article as they are probably the most researched foods in respect of Alzheimer's disease. The incidence of Alzheimer's in countries where they consume high quantities of spices such as turmeric is far lower than in those where they consume very few of these foods.
Moreover a true Mediterranean Diet includes many spices/culinary herbs such as rosemary that have shown potent anti-Alzheimer's properties.
You can read much more about this in the books such as "Medicinal Seasonings, The Healing Power of Spices" and other online sources.
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Thank you so much for the information!!! Is it vitamin D, as manyfeathers u. says? ..
Great article!!! : )
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