Your loved one forgets what a key is used for, can’t tell you the function of a cup, or starts using a toothbrush as a hairbrush. Perhaps there’s a change in mood or behavior, a loss in motivation.
These are some warning signs that Alzheimer’s Disease may be under way, said Micheal Pope, executive director of Alzheimer’s Services of East Bay, at a workshop in Walnut Creek’s Jewish Community Center. Unfortunately, the progressive disease is not reversible or curable, but several drugs, including Aracept and memantine can slow the process, especially in the early stages.
So, are there steps one can take to avoid or delay its onset? Pope noted that people with higher levels of education are less susceptible, as are those who stay involved and take on new challenges. She described a study of nuns that indicates exercise, a heart-healthy diet, meaningful activities, and socialization reduce the chance of getting the disease or minimizing its impact.
“Turn your life into activity,” she declared. She said that experts have moved the guideline of 30 minutes of exercise from three to five days a week, “but I think every day is better.” Weight-lifting was another suggestion.
According to Alzheimer’s Disease Research, the total cost for the care and treatment of the disease in the U.S. has reached $100 billion a year. “Caring for an Alzheimer’s patient at home costs the average family between $18,000 and $36,000 per year,” the agency reported. “Nursing homecare costs even more, averaging $80,000 annually.”
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