Brain & Alzheimer’s Awareness in Burlington

June is Brain & Alzheimer’s Awareness Month. Making it the best time to spread awareness of what Alzheimer’s is and some habits you can take up to keep your brain healthy.

What is Alzheimer’s Disease?

Alzheimer’s disease is a brain disorder that, over time, destroys memory, thinking skills, and, by the end, the ability to do even the simplest of tasks. Symptoms typically begin later in life, with most people affected being over 65 years old. It is the most common cause of dementia in older adults and currently the 7th leading cause of death in the United States. Since Alzheimer’s is a type of dementia, it is important to note what dementia is. Dementia is the loss of cognitive functioning to the extent that it affects a person’s daily life and activities.

With Alzheimer’s, changes in the brain may begin to occur 10 years or more before you see any symptoms. Healthy neurons in the brain stop functioning, lose their connections, and die. This leads to the interference in brain activity we see in those with Alzheimer’s. Common symptoms include memory problems, vision/spatial issues, impaired judgment, and non-memory aspects of cognition.

Healthy Habits for Your Brain

The Alzheimer’s Association has compiled a list of 10 positive, everyday actions that can make a difference for brain health. They can even lower the risk of cognitive decline and possibly dementia or Alzheimer’s as well. Incorporating some or all of the below activities into your daily life will help maintain a healthy brain.

• Challenge your mind – challenging your mind may have short- and long-term benefits.
• Continue learning – education reduces the risk of cognitive decline and dementia.
• Exercise – regular exercise helps increase heart rate and increase blood flow to the brain and body.
• Protect your head – do what you can to help protect from head injuries.
• Be smoke-free – quitting smoking can lower the risk of cognitive decline to levels of those who have never smoked.
• Control your blood pressure – make sure your blood pressure is not too high or too low.
• Manage diabetes – Type 2 diabetes can be prevented/controlled by eating healthier, increasing physical activity, and taking medication.
• Eat healthy – add more vegetables, lean proteins, and less processed foods to your regular diet.
• Maintain a healthy weight – check in with a health care provider on what a healthy weight looks like for you.
• Get good sleep – quality sleep is vital for brain health.

Local Resources

Alzheimer’s Association – holds local support groups for individuals living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias and their caregivers in North Carolina. Support groups are led by trained facilitators via phone, video, or in person.

Piedmont Triad Regional Council – lists out support groups found throughout several counties in North Carolina. Including Alamance, Davidson, Davie, Forsyth, Guilford, Randolph, Rockingham, Stokes, and Surry County.

Alamance Eldercare – provides a directory of family caregiver resources throughout Alamance County.

Griswold is Here to Help

At Griswold Home Care for Burlington, we offer a range of care services, including dementia care support for individuals living with Alzheimer’s and dementia. Included in our dementia-focused care, our Caregivers can reintroduce themselves when they arrive, prepare meals that accommodate struggles with utensils, stimulate short-term memory through cognitive activities, interact with them in their version of reality, and help them recall a life well-lived. Give us a call today to learn more! If you’re looking to start care soon, we can typically have a Caregiver to your home within 24 hours of inquiry.