SEPTEMBER IS WORLD ALZHEIMER’S MONTH

Did you know that more than 55 million worldwide people are living with Alzheimer’s or another dementia? World Alzheimer’s Month was started in 1994 by Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI)  in Edinburgh during their annual conference. This year, and every year, the month provides an opportunity for individuals, businesses and charities to raise awareness by holding events in communities of the effects of dementia.

Alzheimer’s Association® offers several ways to help reduce cognitive decline. It all starts with key lifestyle habits—and it’s never too late to start.

  1. Break a sweat – engage in regular cardiovascular exercise that elevates your heart rate and increases blood flow to the brain and body; exercise can do your mind a world of good.
  2. Hit the books – keep your mind active; take a class at a local college, community center or online.
  3. No smoking – quit smoking today; studies show that smoking increases risk of cognitive decline.
  4. Be heart healthy – take care of your heart; obesity, high blood pressure and diabetes are risk factors for cardiovascular disease and stroke, and negatively impact your brain as well.
  5. Heads up – wear a seat belt, use a helmet when riding a bike, and take care not to fall; brain injury can raise your risk of cognitive decline and dementia.
  6. Eat right – stay away from carbs and sugar; a healthy and balanced diet lower in fat and sugar, and higher in vegetables and fruit can help reduce the risk of cognitive decline. Some say that Mediterranean and Mediterranean-DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension), may contribute to risk reduction.
  7. Sleep enough and well – speak to a medical professional if you have insomnia or sleep apnea as they may result in problems with memory and thinking.
  8. Be social – stay socially engaged, volunteer, join a local choir or after-school program, or just share activities with friends and family.
  9. Challenge yourself – complete a jigsaw puzzle or crossword puzzle, paint, build a piece of furniture. Challenging your mind may have short- and long-term benefits for your brain

Summit Pointe offers Memory Care Services. In addition, we offer a range of brain-boosting activities each month—including brainteasers, board games, exercise classes and fun “junk drawer detective.” Check out our Memory Care calendar of events every month.