Alzheimer's disease

I am a Dementia Friend

I am a Dementia Friend

There are almost 7 million Americans living with Alzheimer’s Disease, the most common cause of dementia, and that figure is expected to rise to nearly 13 million by 2050. Nearly everyone knows someone living with dementia – a loved one, a coworker, a friend, or a neighbor.

Have you ever wondered how to support people in your community who are living with dementia or Alzheimer’s Disease? The Dementia Friends program is a social action movement developed by the Alzheimer’s Society in the United Kingdom. It aims to equip people to better support individuals in their communities living with dementia through awareness, understanding, and action. The Dementia Friends program focuses on five facts they believe everyone should know about dementia:

  1. Dementia is not a natural part of aging.
  2. Dementia is caused by diseases of the brain.
  3. Dementia is not just about losing your memory.
  4. It’s possible to live well with dementia.
  5. There is more to the person than the dementia.

You can learn more about dementia and become a dementia friend by participating in a 75-minute virtual training session through the Ohio Council for Cognitive Health. Whether you become an official dementia friend or not, some of the small actions you can take to better support individuals in your community living with dementia include:  

  • Offering to call someone with dementia once a week to chat
  • Including a person with dementia in conversations
  • Asking a person with dementia for advice
  • Playing a board or card game together
  • Inviting a person with dementia to join you for a cup of coffee
  • Listening, smiling, and showing you care
  • Offering to pick up groceries or run an errand
  • Offering support to caregivers of people living with dementia
  • Volunteering for an organization that helps people living with dementia or their caregivers
  • Making your home more dementia friendly
  • Encouraging your friends to become dementia friendly
  • Being more patient with people living with dementia when out in the community
  • Making your workplace more dementia friendly
  • Campaigning for change (e.g., by participating in local advocacy events)

To learn more about dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease and advocate for change, consider reaching out to your local chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association for current resources and events.

Written by Jenny Lobb, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, OSU Extension Franklin County

Reviewed by: Alexus Masterson, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, OSU Extension Muskingum County

Healthy Habits for Your Brain and Body

a brain

In 2023, more than 6 million Americans lived with Alzheimer’s Disease. Alzheimer’s is the most common cause of dementia, which is a general term for memory loss that is serious enough to interfere with everyday life. Between 2000 and 2019 deaths, from heart disease decreased 7.3% while deaths from Alzheimer’s disease increased 145%.

The good news is that a healthy lifestyle can protect your brain and lower your risk of cognitive decline and possibly dementia. And it’s never too early or late to adopt healthy lifestyle habits! The Alzheimer’s Association recommends ten healthy habits for your brain and body:

  1. Challenge your mind. Be curious! Put your brain to work and do something that is new for you. Learn a new skill. Try something artistic. Challenging your mind may have short- and long-term benefits for your brain.
  2. Keep learning. Education reduces the risk of cognitive decline and dementia. Encourage youth to stay in school and pursue the highest level of training possible. Continue your own education by taking classes at a local library, community center or college, or online.
  3. Get moving. Engage in regular exercise. Find ways to build more movement into your day — walking, dancing, gardening — whatever works for you! The Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans recommend 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity a week for optimal physical and mental health. Moderate-intensity physical activity includes activities that raise your heart rate and increase blood flow to the brain and body.
  4. Protect your head. Help prevent injuries to your head by wearing a helmet for activities like biking, wearing a seat belt in the car, protecting yourself while playing sports, and doing what you can to prevent falls.
  5. Be smoke-free. Choose not to use tobacco if you never have and stop smoking if you are currently using tobacco products. It’s never too late to stop! Quitting smoking can lower the risk of cognitive decline back to levels similar to those who have not smoked.
  6. Control your blood pressure. Medications can help lower high blood pressure, and healthy habits like eating right and physical activity can help, too. Work with a health care provider to control your blood pressure.
  7. Manage diabetes. Type 2 diabetes can be prevented or controlled by eating healthier, increasing physical activity, and taking medication, if necessary
  8. Eat right. Eating healthier foods can help reduce your risk of cognitive decline. This includes more vegetables and leaner proteins, along with foods that are less processed and lower in fat. Choose healthier meals and snacks that you enjoy and are available to you.
  9. Maintain a healthy weight. Talk to your health care provider about the weight that is healthy for you. Other healthy habits on this list — eating right, exercising, and sleeping well — can help with maintaining a healthy weight.
  10. Sleep well. Good quality sleep is important for brain health. Stay off screens before bed and make your sleep space as comfortable as possible. Do all you can to minimize disruptions. If you have any sleep-related problems, such as sleep apnea, talk to a health care provider.

What’s good for the heart is good for the brain, so making healthy lifestyle choices to take care of your heart is also a way to protect your brain. The Life’s Essential 8 healthy lifestyle habits from the American Heart Association are very similar to ten healthy habits listed above. So, take a look at these lists and take action today to protect your brain and your body.

Written by Jenny Lobb, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, OSU Extension Franklin County

Reviewed by Misty Harmon, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, OSU Extension Perry County

Sources:

Alzheimer’s Association. 10 Healthy Habits for Your Brain. https://www.alz.org/help-support/brain_health/10-healthy-habits-for-your-brain

Alzheimer’s Association. Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures. https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/facts-figures

American Heart Association. Life’s Essential 8. https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-lifestyle/lifes-essential-8

Holiday Concerns for Older Adults

For many, the holidays are filled with celebrations and festivities with family and friends, but it can be a worrisome time for those who have difficulty getting around, or are confined to their homes. Older adults might choose to forego family celebrations and festivities for fear of falling or being a burden on family members. By skipping family functions, older adults may have an increased feeling of loneliness and isolation during the holidays.

family during the holidays

Unfortunately a day out with an older adult cannot be spontaneous. However, with a little pre-planning and modifications, holiday traditions and activities can be safe for older family members. This may require some changes to family plans, but having senior family members with you during the holidays is well worth the adjustments.

In order to make celebrations suitable for every family member, here are some things to consider during the planning process:

  • How far can the person travel?
  • Are the costs affordable to someone on a limited budget?
  • How much walking is involved?  Are there hills or other obstacles that would make it hard to navigate?
  • Is there wheelchair access?
  • Is there parking nearby?
  • Are restrooms easily accessible?
  • Are there benches or chairs that can be used?

Planning what you need to take with you is also important. Be prepared for the unexpected. Here are some considerations to keep in mind:

  • Make sure you have all the medications needed. Take an extended supply, just in case you are still out when the next dose is due.
  • Have clothing appropriate for the weather and the outing. Comfortable shoes and warm weather clothes are important.
  • Bring some snacks and plenty of water.

Once you get to the activity, the next step is to be alert to any hazards or problems that might occur. Holidays are a joyful time of year meant for get-togethers, memories, and a touch of nostalgia. However, the holiday season can be one of the most dangerous times for older persons. For example:

  • Holiday decorations may affect the ability of your loved ones to move freely throughout the home. Just because you can easily navigate the extra decorations, doesn’t mean that your loved one will.
  • Look for extension cords or floor rugs that can lead to a fall.
  • Make sure that walkways are clear of ice and snow.

Additional considerations are needed for family members living with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. For instance, consider the effect of too much clutter: Too many lights, music and decorations can be overwhelming. The Alzheimer’s Organization provides additional tips on how to help family members with dementia enjoy the holidays. In addition, the Healthy Aging Network Telecast on Managing Family Members with Dementia Over the Holiday Season provides additional tips to help you and your family.

The holidays give older adults something to look forward to, provides a stimulating change of scenery, and create pleasant memories to carry with them. So, even though it may take a little extra planning and work, involving your older family members in holiday celebrations can improve the meaning of the holiday season.

Written by: Kathy Tutt, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, OSU Extension Clark County, tutt.19@osu.edu

Reviewed by: Michelle Treber, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, OSU Extension Pickaway County

Sources:

Reducing Loneliness: How to Help Seniors During the Holidays, https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/caregivers/in-depth/alzheimers/art-20047715