Q: We are worried about our mother. She is 67 years old, living at home alone and seems to be forgetting things more than usual. It’s not yet serious but we are frightened that she is showing the first signs of Alzheimer’s disease. Can we do anything about it?
A: A little memory loss in elderly people is not necessarily a symptom of Alzheimer’s. Your mom has 20 to 30 more years of memory packed into her head than you have.
She might be forgetful at times, but your concerns about her are valid. About one in 10 people over the age of 65 will show symptoms of the disease.
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No cure is known for Alzheimer’s but a number of factors have been identified that could prevent or stall it, beginning with a healthy lifestyle.
Physical exercise is important. People often cut down on their exercise regimes when they become elderly but this is when exercise is most beneficial.
Daily walks, stretching and balancing are sufficient, as long as they are regular, consistent and demanding enough to keep the blood pulsating through the system.
Exercise is not limited to the muscular skeletal system of the body. Elderly people need cognitive exercises as well. Studies show that people who exercise their memory banks do better on the dementia scales.
A study published last year in the New England Journal of Medicine found that crossword puzzles reduce the chances of getting most forms of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease.
A good diet is also important for the elderly. Most physicians recommend low fat diets with lots of fruit and vegetables. Daily portions of red meats and potatoes are not necessary but chicken and fish with a salad are good choices.
The deaths of close friends and family are common for the elderly. Those losses are stressful, as are the stresses of living alone on small allowances with limited financial and social support.
For many people, peace and tranquility in the golden years are more myth than reality. They need the opportunity to talk about it and keep their tensions in check.
The framework for prevention of Alzheimer’s disease is simple: physical and mental exercise, proper diet and stress reduction.
If you can encourage your mom to build that into her daily routines, you will help her avoid the confusion and discomfort brought on by either Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia.
Jacklin Andrews is a family counsellor from Saskatchewan. Contact: jandrews@producer.com.
