June is Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month. Understanding Alzheimer’s disease and learning proactive ways to support brain health can empower us to live life to the fullest.
Alzheimer’s disease is a brain disorder that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills, and eventually, the ability to carry out the simplest tasks. Alzheimer’s is not a normal part of aging. It is the most common cause of dementia that affects not only the person living with the disease, but also their loved ones and caregivers. Experts suggest that more than 6 million Americans, most of them age 65 or older, may have Alzheimer’s.
While significant progress has been made in better understanding Alzheimer’s, scientists still don’t quite fully understand what causes the disease in most people. They feel it’s likely a combination of age-related changes in the brain, along with genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors. A diagnosis is made after thorough testing by medical professionals and conversations with family members to better understand changes in memory and daily function.
Although there is currently no cure for Alzheimer’s, treatment is focused on managing symptoms to enable individuals to maintain the best quality of life.
Stages of Alzheimer’s Disease
Mild Alzheimer’s disease – People are often diagnosed at this stage. Individuals may experience greater memory loss and other cognitive difficulties. Problems can include wandering, difficulty handling money, repeating questions, taking longer to complete normal daily tasks, and personality and behavior changes.
Moderate Alzheimer’s Disease– Areas of the brain that control language, reasoning, conscious thought, and sensory processing become more affected at this stage. Memory loss and confusion worsen, and individuals begin to have trouble recognizing family members and friends. They may struggle to learn new things and carry out multistep tasks such as getting dressed. Some individuals may experience hallucinations, delusions, paranoia, or impulsive behaviors.
Severe Alzheimer’s disease – In this final stage, plaques and tangles spread throughout the brain, and brain tissue shrinks significantly. Individuals are no longer able to communicate and become completely dependent on others for their daily care. Near the end of life, many people remain in bed most or all of the time as the body gradually shuts down.
Supporting Brain Health
One important area of Alzheimer’s research focuses on maintaining a healthy brain. Supporting brain health may help prevent a decline in memory and lower the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.
Seven Tips to Help Improve Brain Function:
- Exercise regularly. Research suggests that regular exercise increases blood flow to the brain and improves sleep which can help with memory loss.
- Learn new things. Challenging the brain with new activities, games, skills, or hobbies helps keep the mind active and engaged.
- Get enough sleep. Adequate sleep allows our brains to reset and stay focused. Research also suggests that sleep helps clear plaques from the brain associated with disease.
- Maintain social connections. Social interactions can help lessen feelings of depression, improve brain function, and support memory. Isolation and loneliness have been linked to a higher risk of dementia and cognitive decline.
- Manage chronic health conditions. Controlling conditions such as high blood sugar, high cholesterol and high blood pressure helps maintain adequate blood flow to the brain.
- Maintain a healthy diet. A balanced diet rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains and lean proteins may help reduce cognitive decline. Limiting heavily processed foods high in salt and sugars is also beneficial. Foods higher in omega fatty acids may help protect the brain health.
- Quit smoking. Smoking increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, and lung disease. Research has shown that quitting smoking may lower the risk of cognitive decline. Quitting at any age can improve your overall health.
Taking these steps now may reduce your risks for cognitive decline and support brain health.
VITALity Catholic Healthcare Services is here to help individuals and families affected by Alzheimer’s disease and memory loss through Care Coordination resources, Senior Social Day Centers, Calls of Joy, and Stephen Ministry.
For additional information and support, reach out to VITALity Catholic Healthcare Services at 856-583-6123 or visit https://vitality.camdendiocese.org/.
VITALity Health and Well-being Resource- Memory Loss-Dementia
