Battling Alzheimer

This post discusses brain games and other activities that may delay the onset and reduce the impact of Alzheimer’s disease and dementias

I want to say off the bat that I am quite familiar with Alzheimer’s disease and I am fully aware that there is not a game around that will prevent it from running its course.  So, my intent is not to provide snake oil or false hope.  Brain activities such as video games, crossword puzzles, sudoku checkers and chess to name few do have thier place though.  They provide activity and exercise for the brain, they require hand eye coordination and they require more complex thought than does say listening to the radio or watching TV.  In addition, in all honesty, they might keep your loved one busy enough to provide you as a caregiver a few moments while you attend to dinner or take care of other responsibilities.

As a person who suffers with Alzheimer’s disease or other form of dementia, these games can provide a great escape.  doing theme related crossword puzzles or word-finds is a great way to relax and remember a time that was much more carefree and much less confusing than these days are.  Sudoku and chess are great games for those who are still able handle the complexities associated with those activities.

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When Alzheimer’s disease is first diagnosed (and before) it is important for the one who is affected with the disease and the caregiver to do a few things.  You can see my posts entitled, I have Alzheimer’s What Now? And Diagnosis Alzheimer’s disease, What’s a Caregiver to do?  For complete information on immediate steps to take once the diagnosis has been confirmed.  However, there is one very important thing that I want to stress today, keeping the brain active and engaged.  Don’t just throw in the proverbial towel and say, “Grandpa has Alzheimer’s disease, it’s all over now.”  It is vital that you as a caregiver do all that you can to do ensure that grandpa works his brain as much as is possible and practical.

It is very important to select age and stage appropriate activities.  You don’t want to make your loved one more frustrated.  Rather, you want to provide an environment where your loved one is having fun, “winning” and exercising the brain all at the same time.

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Once we got my 95-year-old grandmother washing dishes again, we began looking around for other things she could do. We weren’t going to send her back into the job market, but we were inspired by our successes at the kitchen sink to expand to other areas.

Let me tell you, it was hard to find work for her.

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My 95-year-old grandmother always bemoaned the fact that she wasn’t more active. Never mind the fact that she suffered from Alzheimer’s disease (actually, we never told her that), arthritis, blindness, deafness, gum disease, incontinence, poor balance, stroke, and constipation. “I should be helping you children,” she would say, “You work your fingers to the bone and I just sit here like a bump on a log. I could at least wash the dishes.”

For years, we told her, “No, grandmother. You’ve worked hard for years. Now it’s your turn to relax. Don’t worry. We can wash the dishes.” But she wasn’t convinced or impressed.

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By Alvaro Fernandez

Exciting new research, conducted by neuropsychologist Robert S. Wilson at the Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center in Chicago, suggests new ways to reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s Disease as we age.

- “The study found a cognitively active person in old age was 2.6 times less likely to develop dementia and Alzheimer’s disease than a cognitively inactive person in old age.
- “Wilson says the study also found frequent cognitive activity during old age, such as visiting a library or attending a play, was associated with reduced risk of mild cognitive impairment, a transitional stage between normal aging and dementia, and less rapid decline in cognitive function.”
- “If you want your mind to stay healthy into your golden years, don’t worry, be happy.

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