Vicky Rose Tallahassee
Memorial HealthCare
June is
Alzheimer’s and Brain Health Awareness Month, which is the perfect opportunity
to talk about what makes a brain healthy. According the Alzheimer’s
Association, the state of Florida should expect a 24.1% increase in the number
of those living with Alzheimer’s by 2025, bringing the number of those over the
age of 65 with this disease to 720,000.
There
is no cure and treatment options are limited for those living with Alzheimer’s
disease. This makes early detection and possible prevention pertinent for
positive patient outcomes.
Tallahassee
Memorial HealthCare is home to the region’s only Memory Disorder Clinic,
funded through a grant from the State of Florida Department of Elder Affairs as
a part of the state’s Alzheimer’s Disease Initiative Program. At the Memory
Disorder Clinic, neurologists, neuropsychologists and social workers provide
comprehensive diagnostic evaluations and treatments for patients experiencing
memory problems, such as:
·
Increased forgetfulness
·
Personality or behavioral changes
·
Trouble with speech, reading or writing skills
·
Difficulty completing daily activities
For
patients diagnosed with a memory disorder, such as Alzheimer’s disease, our
multidisciplinary team of experts create an individualized suggested plan of
care, and offer a variety of virtual services and community resources,
including:
·
Support groups
·
Referral to community resources
·
Training opportunities for caregivers and professionals
·
Educational library
·
Caregiver counseling
·
ACTS2 Project
·
PEACEOFMND Study
At the
Tallahassee Memorial Memory Disorder Clinic, we recognize the importance of
brain health – as it has a positive impact on slowing memory decline and
disorders – and participate in virtual community outreach opportunities to
share education about early detection, as we continue to fight to end
Alzheimer’s disease through the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
While
there is no pill or magic exercise that anyone can do to “prevent” the disease,
there are ways to reduce your risk factors and build resiliency in your brain
for a happy and healthier life.
Here
are 10 key factors to a healthy lifestyle to help cognition and thinking. These
brain health activities are even more important during the times of COVID-19 as
many people are learning to cope with more stress in their lives.
1)
Physical Exercise
Break a
sweat by engaging in regular cardiovascular exercise that elevates your heart
rate, pumping blood to your brain and body. This blood flow to the brain can
help reduce cognitive decline.
2) Stay
Sharp
Hit the
books in some sort of formal education. Taking a class online can help reduce
the risk of cognitive decline and dementia.
3) Quit
Smoking
Smoking
increases risk of cognitive decline. Quitting smoking can reduce risk to levels
comparable to those who have not smoked.
4)
Heart Health
Whatever
is good for your heart is good for your brain. Risk factors for cardiovascular
disease and stroke such as high blood pressure, obesity and diabetes can all
negatively impact your cognitive health.
5)
Safety First
Protect
your brain by always wearing a seatbelt and helmet. Brain injury can raise the
risk of cognitive decline and dementia.
6)
Healthy Diet
Food
fuels not only the body, but also your mind. Eating a well-balanced diet of
vegetables, berries, nuts, olive oil, whole grains, fish, beans and poultry can
decrease risk of cognitive decline and dementia.
7) Adequate
Sleep
Sleep
is very important for the body and brain to repair and recover from the day.
Not getting enough sleep due to conditions such as insomnia or sleep apnea may
result in problems in memory and thinking.
8)
Mental Health
Taking
care of your mental health is also an important ingredient when thinking about
decreasing the risk of cognitive decline. It is so important to seek medical
treatment if you have symptoms of depression, anxiety or other mental health
concerns. Managing stress in your life also can have a positive impact on
cognitive health.
9)
Social Interaction
Staying
socially engaged may support brain health. Finding ways to connect with others
virtually, via FaceTime or Zoom, can affect a person’s mental and physical
well-being.
10)
Cognitive Stimulation
Challenging
your mind and trying something new can also help build new neuropathways in the
brain which can be a protective factor against cognitive decline and dementia.
If you
or a loved is concerned about a memory disorder, including Alzheimer’s disease,
medical attention is necessary. For more information about brain health, please
call the Tallahassee Memorial Memory Disorder Clinic at 850-431-5001 or
visit TMH.ORG/Memory.
Vicky
Rose, MSW, CDP, at Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare.
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