June is Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month
Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive neurological disorder that primarily affects the brain, leading to memory loss, cognitive decline, and behavioral changes. The disease is characterized by the buildup of abnormal protein clusters known as beta-amyloid plaques and tau tangles in the brain, which disrupt the normal functioning of neurons. This results in the deterioration of cognitive abilities, including memory, thinking, and reasoning skills. As Alzheimer’s progresses, individuals may also experience confusion, disorientation, difficulty with language, and changes in personality and behavior.
Although it predominantly affects older adults, early-onset Alzheimer’s can occur in individuals as young as their 30s or 40s.
Some risk factors for Alzheimer’s are beyond our control, such as advancing age, family history, and genetic factors. But one thing we can control is our lifestyle choices.
Lifestyle Choices to Help Prevent Alzheimer’s
- Stay mentally active: Engage in challenging activities that stimulate the brain.
- Maintain a healthy diet: Follow a balanced diet rich in whole foods.
- Exercise regularly: Engage in physical activities 5-7 days a week.
- Get enough sleep: Aim for 7-8 hours of quality sleep each night.
- Control blood pressure and cholesterol levels: Monitor and manage hypertension and high cholesterol.
- Manage diabetes: Maintain stable blood sugar levels.
- Manage stress: Find healthy coping mechanisms for stress.
By engaging in mentally stimulating activities, maintaining a healthy diet, staying physically active, managing blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes, getting sufficient sleep, and managing stress levels, we can significantly contribute to lowering the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
How Neighbors Who Care Can Help
If you are caring for someone with memory loss, we can help. Our dedicated volunteers provide assistance in the areas of transportation, shopping/errands, grocery van transport, friendly visitation, reassurance calling, minor home repairs, business assistance, dinner delivery, and caregiver relief/respite.
Contact us for more information: 480-895-7133 or Email Us
For support groups in our area, check out our resources page.
Alzheimer’s Association 24-Hour Helpline. They provide information, offer referrals and support for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. Got a question? Give them a call! 800-272-3900.
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