Our Ask An Angel correspondent is Arlene Petersen, Certified Senior Advisor and Life Care Navigation Specialist in the area of senior home care.
Q. Can dementia be prevented? Have there been any new developments?
A. Dementia is an ever-increasing condition that affects more than five million Americans. When we talk about this disease, it encompasses nine different types within the category called dementia. For example, Parkinson’s disease is a form of dementia. Scientists continue to search for the causes behind dementia, specifically Alzheimer’s.
Lifestyle choices are key factors, and it is important to incorporate physical activity into your life as well as maintain a healthy diet. These proactive measures may help support brain health. I realize that’s not easy for some folks, but if you surround yourself with the right “team,” a healthy lifestyle can be achieved.
A local health club or shopping mall can be the perfect place to add walking to your life’s routine. If getting around is difficult, it might be a good idea to enlist the help of a neighbor, family member, or caregiver to help you kick start a physical fitness campaign. (Always check with your doctor before starting any new physical activity.)
Diet is very important as well. It can sometimes be a challenge for any family to do, so it’s important to explore menu options by thinking ahead and taking the extra time to plan for a healthy meal. Family, friends, or a professional caregiver can help in this area as well. Learn to prepare heart-healthy meals. This will benefit you in many ways.
Remaining active as well as maintaining healthy eating habits are just a few of the important lifestyle choices people need to make to promote healthy brain function. Scientists are constantly working on solving the mystery of dementia. New tests are being developed to help identify the disease and new studies are uncovering other sources that may challenge brain function. The Alzheimer’s web site, www.alz.org has updates on all the latest research information about this disease.
Have a question for our angel correspondent? You can send our angel an email to apetersen@visitingangels.com or send your question via mail to Ask An Angel, 65 Woodbury St., South Elgin, IL 60177.
