Years ago it was referred to as “getting senile.” Death certificates would even list the cause of death as “senility.” With advances in research we now know that although we all suffer from decreased memory with age, there are those whose memory issues go beyond the “norm.” When this is the case, the individual may be diagnosed as having dementia or Alzheimer’s.
Dementia Vs. Alzheimer’s
Dementia is often thought of as a precursor to Alzheimer’s, but that is not always the case. Dementia is a disorder while Alzheimer’s is considered a disease. While dementia affects memory and things like having a sense of time, Alzheimer’s is a progressive brain disease that usually begins by looking like dementia. However, over time it begins to affect other cognitive functions, not just memory or the sense of time. For instance, with Alzheimer’s the person may eventually lose their ability to speak or walk. This does not occur when a person has dementia only.
Much research is being done on this topic because Alzheimer’s is a disease that is still without a cure. However, there are things that you can do that may help slow down the onset or progression of Alzheimer’s. There are medications available to help with the specific symptoms that an individual is experiencing. Aside from medications, there are still things that you can do that may be helpful.
6 Pillars of Alzheimer’s Prevention
According to www.helpguide.org, there are six pillars of Alzheimer’s prevention. They are regular exercise, social engagement, healthy diet, mental stimulation, quality sleep, and stress management. Well, these don’t come as any big surprise because these are all things that your primary care physician will tell you are important for your overall well being, not just for Alzheimer’s prevention. In this article, it states that according to the Alzheimer’s Research & Prevention Foundation, regular exercise can reduce your risk of Alzheimer’s disease by up to fifty percent.
Nothing is guaranteed to prevent Alzheimer’s, but all of the above six suggestions are good for you in a myriad of ways, so you should try them! Even if they don’t make a drastic difference in Alzheimer’s progression, you will still be healthy in body and the disease may not progress as quickly as it does in others.
Alzheimer’s Home Health Care
If you are beginning to show signs of Alzheimer’s, then you might feel like some extra care is a good idea. Or, perhaps, you have an elderly loved one that you are concerned about and would like someone to check in on them when you are at work. If this is the case and you live in the Palm Beach area, then it is time to call us at Champion Home Health Care. We have offices in Boca Raton and West Palm Beach and offer quality home care to seniors in these areas.
We will match you or your senior loved one with a caregiver that is just the right fit. You may just want someone to come by and make sure that you or your loved one is safe, has taken the daily prescribed medications, or has a snack. Or, perhaps you would like them to stay longer and do some brain-building exercises like reading or doing puzzles. Whatever the specific needs are, we have qualified caregivers to meet those needs. Our home care assistance in North Palm Beach includes elderly care and respite care in the Boca Raton and Fort Lauderdale areas. We care about our clients like they are family members, so please don’t hesitate to call us today. We know you will be happy that you did.
