alzheimer’s and brain health

Wonderful post today. I learned quite a bit while taking care of both of my elderly parents – at one time I had a hospital bed in our living room, and I slept in the family room for the 6 weeks my parents were staying here for respite care. One thing that stands out in my mind the most – we must stay hydrated – either drinking enough water, or getting enough moisture in our diets – such as fruit cups, homemade soups, etc. During my mother’s last days in the hospital they put an IV drip in, and within an hour she was not only speaking which she had not done in months, she was also reading the charts on the hospital walls. She had been a voracious reader, but prior to getting this hydration she actually was holding a book upside down and trying to read it. A good diet is a key to keeping our mental health intact.

Beth, I must also say that I viewed your jeans video this morning – you rocked every single outfit. I spent 30+ years in a professional work environment – wearing suits and heels every day. Now in retirement it’s pretty much exclusively jeans. I feel liberated! With everything going on today in the world, my outside travel is primarily for groceries, but I make sure I dress like I’m going out to a casual dinner with my husband – jeans, blazers, animal print flats. It gives you a real lift. I love your blog – it’s a real labor of love and it shows.

I love your messages and pictures. Interesting subjects and nice outfits. You have encouraged me to dress a little bit better even if I am only going shopping or errands. from Ottawa, Canada

Thanks for the valuable information! Enjoy your posts and your d-i-l’s recipes!

Thank you for sharing Beth. I did pretty well on the quiz. I lost my mother to dementia at the ripe old age of 98 after a 10 year decline which was heart breaking for a accomplished women like her who was in excellent physical health. The emotional toll on me as the only child and only family member close by was significant. The Alzheimer’s Association was my lifeline.

Thank you so much for shining a light on this. My dad is 81 and barely remembers how to even use a knife and fork these days, and certainly does not remember any of his loved ones any more. It is heartbreaking to see.

In my research, I’ve heard that one of the reasons they think that women are more impacted than men is because the women in their 70’s and 80’s now and in the past have not traditionally been as educated as men, so they expect it will become more gender balanced over the next few decades. The more neural connections we have, the more that alzheimers has to break down before it starts having the more devastating consequences. And education builds those connections. The good news is that we can build those connections throughout our lives, and that learning new things is one of the best ways of doing it. So if you’ve always wanted to learn a new language, or a musical instrument, it’s not too late, in fact, it might be better in some ways than having learned it as a child, since it gives our older brains something interesting and enjoyable to focus on. Also, travel to different cultures is another great booster, so even though we’re all safe at home, this is a perfect time to learn about other places that might go on the bucket list to visit once we can do that again.

Thanks so much for posting. I grew up with a mother with the disease. Her way of dealing with it was that she kept exceptionally detailed diaries of everything she was doing and lists, My brother was a crossword person. Dementia can start very young and we know so very little about it. My uncle left his brain to research……. it is a horrible disease and its effects are very far reaching. As a Lawyer I often found myself searching for words , I of course panicked but a client who is a doctor said to me I am sending you to a friend in the field I was hypothroid. I still practice what my mum and brother did just in case. The disease is so isolating and not only for the patients but the carers…. So very gracious of you to bring this to peoples attention. The other thing that happens is that the family becomes isolated as their friends do not understand the disease

Thank you for bringing attention and awareness to a subject that affects so many, but especially women.

My mom did word search books for years. I think she was in her late 80’s when we realized she had dementia. We found out when she wrecked her car. We asked what happened, and she said she was trying to get close to the other car. She ran someone up in a front yard, just down the street from her house. That was the last of her driver’s license. She went downhill after that. But she was 88 when that happened. She lived until she was 96. The last few years in a nursing home, which she thought was a hospital. She raised seven kids by herself. So I hope I do as good as she does. I’m 61 now, so I have a few good years yet. I started taking folic acid because I read that can help your memory. So far so good.