As far as illnesses go, dementia is one that most people fear the worst. The idea of losing part of who you are can be so frightening, that many people refuse to even think about it as they get older. While most people won’t experience dementia, preparing yourself for the possibility with research and rational thinking is important. If you know someone who has dementia, you know that it can take its toll on the individual and their whole family. My Mother had dementia. In the end, she did not recognize any of her children or grandchildren. It was really hard to deal with for me. Here are some tips on how to approach the subject of dementia on a personal level, and some tips for keeping your mind active as you age. No one wants to talk about dementia, but the sooner you do, the better for everyone involved.
Preventing Dementia
There are no surefire ways to prevent dementia, but there are steps you can take towards keeping your brain as healthy as possible in old age.
Keeping your mind active throughout your life
With the rise of technology in our lives, many people have got into quite lazy habits when it comes to cognition. We have a wealth of information at our fingertips, in our smartphones and computers, meaning that it is less important to be able to remember phone numbers, facts, figures and names as it used to be. This can make our minds lazy and worse with memory. To keep your mind active throughout your life, remember to keep challenging your cognition. This means engaging in puzzles like sudoku or crosswords, to ensure your mind is challenged and stays lucid. In addition, some say that there are connections between hearing aids & dementia. Ask your doctor about this development to see if it could help you!
Eating well to keep your brain ticking
Eating a healthy, balanced diet is not just good for staying fit on a physical level – it’s also great for your cognition. Here are two vitamins and foods that can aid your brain power!
- Omega 3. Omega 3, found in fish mostly, is fantastic for your cognition. If you don’t eat fish, you can take an Omega 3 supplement daily to keep your levels up.
- Leafy greens. Leafy greens contain protein, multiple vitamins and iron, which are all proven to aid cognition! Kale, Chard, turnip greens, collards are some really good leafy greens.
The Emotional Side To Dementia
Dementia can be as emotionally taxing as it is physically taxing. If you know and love someone with dementia, it can be very overwhelming to see their health change rapidly and to make adjustments to accommodate that. When it comes to dealing with the possibility of developing dementia, or if you are diagnosed by a doctor, it’s all about creating structure that allows you to cope. This might be seeing a therapist, moving into assisted accommodation, or giving power of attorney to your loved ones as a precaution. From my family’s experience, it is really hard to talk about dementia, especially to the one who has it. They will most likely deny the problem exists. You’ll need to set up a medical power of attorney so that someone will be able to get the medial help your loved one needs. A financial power of attorney will allow a family member to take care of the financial needs of the patient as well.
Final Thoughts: Talk About Dementia
If you are worried about, or feel scared to talk about dementia, use this article as a guide to opening up. In addition, follow the helpful tips on keeping your brain fit and healthy as you get older.
Carolina Julio says
Thanks for sharing this wonderful article.