Page 41 - June 2020 Issue.indd

family member with Alzheimer’s, they Take Care of Your Health Researchers have developed and are
may wonder about their family history Taking care of your physical health may testing another diet, called MIND, a
and genetic risk. As many as 5.5 million help your cognitive health. You can: combination of the Mediterranean
Americans age 65 and older live with and DASH (Dietary Approaches to
• Get recommended
Alzheimer’s. Many more are expected Stop Hypertension) diets. One study
health screenings.
to develop the disease as the population suggests that MIND may affect the risk

ages unless ways to prevent or delay it • Manage chronic health problems of Alzheimer’s disease.
are found. like diabetes, high blood pressure,
depression, and high cholesterol. Be Physically Active
We know that changes in the brain Being physically active through regular
can occur many years before the first • Consult with your healthcare exercise, household chores, or other
symptoms of Alzheimer’s appear. Th ese provider about the medicines you activities has many benefits. It can help

early brain changes point to a possible take and possible side eff ects on you:
window of opportunity to prevent or memory, sleep, and brain function.
delay debilitating memory loss and other • Reduce risk for brain injuries • Keep and improve your strength
symptoms of dementia. While research due to falls and other accidents. • Have more energy
may identify specific interventions that

• Limit use of alcohol (some • Improve your balance
will prevent or delay the disease in some
medicines can be dangerous
people, it’s likely that many individuals • Prevent or delay heart disease,
when mixed with alcohol).
may need a combination of treatments diabetes, and other diseases
based on their own risk factors. • Quit smoking, if you smoke.
• Perk up your mood and
Maintaining healthy brains and • Get enough sleep, generally reduce depression
cognitive health in older adults 7-8 hours each night.
Studies link ongoing physical activity
Cognitive health is the ability to clearly Eat Healthy Foods with benefits for the brain, too. In one

think, learn, and remember and is an A healthy diet can help reduce the risk study, exercise stimulated the human
important component of brain health. of many chronic diseases, such as heart brain’s ability to maintain old network
Others include: disease or diabetes. It may also help keep connections and make new ones that are
• Motor function—how well you your brain healthy. vital to cognitive health. Other studies
make and control movements have shown that exercise increased the
In general, a healthy diet consists of size of a brain structure important to
• Emotional function—how fruits and vegetables; whole grains; lean memory and learning, improving spatial
well you interpret and meats, fi sh, and poultry; and low-fat or memory.
respond to emotions non-fat dairy products. You should also
• Sensory function—how well you limit solid fats, sugar, and salt. Be sure to Aerobic exercise, such as brisk walking,
feel and respond to sensations control portion sizes and drink enough is thought to be more beneficial to
of touch, including pressure, water and other fl uids. cognitive health than non-aerobic
pain, and temperature Researchers are looking at whether ADULT CARE
a healthy diet can help preserve
This guide focuses on cognitive
health and what you can do to help cognitive function or reduce the risk Mid-Shore
maintain it. The following steps can of Alzheimer’s. For example, there is Residential Care
help you function every day and stay some evidence that people who eat a
independent, and they have been linked “Mediterranean diet” have a lower risk of
to cognitive health, too. developing mild cognitive impairment. Compassionate Care in
Your Home for 24 Years
“Simply, Peacefully, Together”
CNA’s • Sitters
RIDGELY CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN RN Evaluations
Meal Preparation
110 Park Ave., Ridgely, MD Home Health Aids
Residential Cleaning
Church 410-634-1103 | 410-714-1167
INDIVIDUAL SERVICES
Sunday School 9:30 AM (for all ages) Lic.#R922
Worship Service at 10:30 AM 410-820-1131
www.midshorehomecare.com

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