Category Archives: Prevention

Join the 30-Day Brain Health Challenge

01 Monday Apr 2019

Posted by in Be Brain Powerful, Brain Health, Marilyn's Legacy, Prevention, Tips, USAgainstAlzheimer's

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social_media_twitterAs someone who has been up close and personal with Alzheimer’s disease, I think about the future a lot. If you are caring for or have lost a loved one to AD or another form of dementia, you more than likely know exactly what I’m talking about. What are our odds of being diagnosed at some point in our lives and if that day should come, will there be a treatment or means to slow the progression? As companies like Biogen and Lilly pull the plug on Phase III studies of drugs that once seemed to hold such promise, one has to wonder.

Brain Health

Today we are seeing much greater emphasis on prevention. How can we keep our brains healthy and stave off the disease for as long as possible? Enter the Brain Health Partnership.  Led by UsAgainstAlzheimer’s, the BHP is “a comprehensive strategy to ensure brain health is included as an integral element of overall good health, and cognitive decline is identified and addressed in a timely manner.”

We think of heart health as a critical part of overall health; why isn’t the same true of brain health?

Last year, my PCP laughed at me when I asked to have a baseline SAGE test placed in my medical records.  (Note: This was the same PCP that diagnosed my mother’s dementia, so she is fully aware of the family history.)  At the time, I was stunned and quite frankly appalled.  Thankfully, the Brain Health Partnership aims to ensure the medical community takes us just as seriously when we express concerns about cognitive health as they do when we raise concerns about any other aspect of our health.

Women and Alzheimer’s

When it comes to Alzheimer’s disease, women are disproportionately effected. Did you know that two-thirds of Americans living with Alzheimer’s are women and one in six women age 65 and older will develop AD? These numbers are staggering! Alzheimer’s is a women’s health issue – a women’s health crisis – and Be Brain Powerful was created to address it. Marilyn’s Legacy is proud to be an advocacy partner in this important campaign that shines a light on women’s brain health.  The mission is simple:  To be brain powerful at any age. 

Join the Challenge

We invite you to join the 30-Day Brain Health Challenge kicking off on 04.02.19. It’s free and easy; think of it as the first step toward taking control of your own brain health! Each day, you’ll receive a tip or challenge that can easily be incorporated into your daily routine.  You can sign up at any time during the thirty days, so please join us and invite your friends to participate as well! Click here to register.

 

 

 

 

 

Alzheimer’s Roundup

22 Sunday Jan 2017

Posted by in Advocacy and Awareness, Care Options, Diagnosis, Early Onset, Expectations, Face of Alzheimer's, Prevention, Round Up

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Who will care for the caregivers?

“There are some 40 million Americans like my patient’s daughter. Every day, they help a parent, grandparent, relative or neighbor with basic needs: dressing, bathing, cooking, medications or transportation. Often, they do some or all of this while working, parenting, or both. And we — as doctors, employers, friends and extended family — aren’t doing enough to help them.”  ~Dhruv Khullar, M.D.      Read full article

After the diagnosis…

You’re worried. Your mom has shown increasing forgetfulness for months. She even got lost going to the grocery store she frequents. You hoped things would resolve themselves, but instead, they kept getting worse. You took her to the doctor, hoping the problem was due to a bad interaction of her many medicines or a treatable infection. Instead, you got the dreaded diagnosis: Alzheimer’s. Now what?    Read full article

Dementia Village coming to San Diego

A San Diego nonprofit is taking an unorthodox approach to help seniors cope with Alzheimer’s disease. It’s building a village for them to spend time during the day. It’s not residential. But the village is modeled on San Diego in the 1950s, complete with vintage cars, period music, payphones and shops from the pre-shopping mall, pre-Wal-Mart era. The nonprofit says research suggests this type of visual reminder might improve cognitive function and quality of life of Alzheimer’s patients over 65.   Read full article

Eating for good brain health

“Diet absolutely does play a role. The brain is like any other organ that is susceptible to (foods) that can protect against oxidation damage. … Think of oxidation like a fire getting started. These (good) foods act like little tiny fire extinguishers that help put out those fires that otherwise would cause damage leading to loss of brain function.” ~Liz Applegate, Professor, UC Davis    Read full article

Living with early stage Alzheimer’s

“These days my ministry is Alzheimer’s. I am so much happier now that I’ve accepted my diagnosis. There’s a stigma associated with memory-loss disorders and oftentimes people are afraid to ask for help; I believe my calling is to help reduce that shame. You don’t have to be embarrassed to have Alzheimer’s.”  ~Rev. Cynthia Huling Hummel, D.Min  Read full article

World Alzheimer’s Day: How Can You Make a Difference?

17 Thursday Sep 2015

Posted by in Advocacy and Awareness, ALZ Assn - National, Caregivers, Fundraising, Helpful Resources, Life After Caregiving, Prevention, Quotes, Ruminations, Tips, USAgainstAlzheimer's, Volunteering, Walk to End ALZ, Washington, World ALZ Month

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According to the World Alzheimer Report 2015: The Global Impact of Dementia, published by Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI), there are 46 million people living with dementia globally. Without a medical breakthrough, that number will rise to 131.5 million by 2050. Worldwide, in 2015 alone, there will be 9.9 million new cases of dementia; that’s a new case every THREE seconds.

World Alzheimer’s Day is September 21, 2015, and it’s a great time to pause and think about what you can do to make a difference. You don’t have to be a brilliant scientist or a millionaire to make a significant impact.

Here are a few ideas to consider. If you have others, please share them by posting a comment below!

Take Care of a Caregiver

  • Deliver lunch, dinner, or a plate of homemade cookies. Send a restaurant gift card, or put together a group of folks willing to take turns cooking a couple of meals each week.
  • Mow the lawn, rake leaves, or offer to help with another household task.
  • Put together a spa basket! Think bath salts, lotion, candles, lavender essential oil, comfy slippers, et cetera.
  • Offer to hold down the fort for a couple of hours to give a caregiver a much-needed break. Perhaps they’d like to go shopping, see a movie, read a book, or just relax!
  • Simply send a card to say you care and offer your support.

Volunteer Your Time and Talent

  • Spend time visiting with memory care residents.
  • Volunteer at an Alzheimer’s Association event, join a committee, help with a special project, or offer to make phone calls.
  • Form a volunteer group to make fidget quilts or comfy blankets for people living with Alzheimer’s.
  • Volunteer to provide respite care during a caregiver support group meeting.
  • Become a support group leader.

Donate or Fundraise

  • Make a monetary donation to your favorite Alzheimer’s organization.
  • Sign up for Walk to End Alzheimer’s or The Longest Day and set a fundraising goal.
  • Donate puzzles, picture books, dolls, art supplies, or CDs to a nearby memory care unit or adult day care.
  • Sign up for AmazonSmile and designate your favorite Alzheimer’s organization as your charity.

Be an Advocate

Focus on Prevention

  • Commit to walking for 30 minutes at least 3x per week.
  • Each day, replace one unhealthy item in your diet with a healthier choice.
  • Make a monthly date to get together with friends!
  • Take the stairs instead of the elevator.

As Margaret Mead said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”

I’ve been told plenty of times that I’m wasting my energy. After all, I’m just one person can’t change the world My response to that is simple. I may not be able to change the world, but I can certainly make a positive difference – and you can too!

Here’s to World Alzheimer’s Day. May it be more than just another Monday – let’s all do a little something to further the #ENDALZ movement!