Having watched and perhaps having to participate in the care of an elder generation, boomers are understandably concerned about being diagnosed with serious medical condition like Alzheimer’s or Dementia. Being witness to grandparents with these diseases, some boomers are now dealing with their own parents who show signs of Dementia or Alzheimer’s. Witnessing the onset of these diseases can sometimes increase the anxiety around their own health for evidence does indicate that this fear is not unfounded. Boomers are considered to be “Generation Alzheimer’s”. 1 out of every 8 people in the boomer generation may suffer from one of these diseases.
Educating yourself on the warning signs of Alzheimer’s or Dementia may be a scary proposition, but being prepared can help you manage the onset of such serious diseases before hitting your senior years. There are a few early warning signs that may help you take a more proactive approach managing future care for yourself, your parents and other loved ones. Speaking to a professional in-home care service like First Class Home Inc. may ease your mind that there is support available whenever and however you need it.
Forgetting names and appointments but remembering them later is a completely age-appropriate change as is making occasional errors in more detail oriented work, needing help to reset a television or microwave, confusing the days of the week but remembering it later, and even misplacing things once in awhile. We have all done it and these are normal parts of life as we reach our senior years.
However, if the memory loss continually disrupts everyday life, someone always puts things in unusual places and then does not remember at all where it is, a new struggle with vocabulary or following conversations, withdrawing from social networks and unexplained temperament changes, these all may be early signs of the onset of Alzheimer’s.
The diagnosis of Alzheimer’s and Dementia in a family or of one’s parents can seem overwhelming. It is normal to wonder, what about me? Accepting that you cannot change any future diagnosis is a great start. Beyond that, there are also many things to help you age gracefully perhaps even reduce the chances of developing Dementia or Alzheimer’s before your senior years.
Lifestyle choices today can make a major impact on one’s overall health and help boomers age gracefully into their senior years.
- Healthy Arteries – Diet, exercise, moderate alcohol use, avoidance of smoking, blood pressure control and stress-minimizing activities can all reduce the risk of heart disease.
- Live Better – Participating in meditative practices, reducing stress and being active add value and meaning to your life.
- Don’t Only Exercise, Do It as a Community – The increase in Tai Chi schools can be seen in parks and senior centers across your community. Tai Chi is a centuries old Chinese martial art involving slow, meditative body movements to promote inner peace and calm. Participating in a community exercise group speaks to a person’s need for companionship and belongs to something larger than.
- Balance – Participating in physical activity helps promote physical balance leading to fewer falls later on in your life.
- Diet – Cutting back on sugar and increasing your fruit and vegetable intake is always a good idea for various health concerns.
- Naps – A twenty-minute power nap not only increases productivity but helps with focus and attention.
- Mindfulness – Be aware of your body and mind using meditative techniques to anticipate any major physical or mental changes.
The above are only a few suggestions that can help boomers age gracefully, lower the chances of developing Dementia and may also reduce the chances of developing other chronic diseases. First Class Home Inc. can help take some of your burden away when dealing with parents suffering from Alzheimer’s or Dementia so you can focus on your own well-being.
Being proactive about your own health can help you deal with any difficult issues that may arise in the future. Having First Class Home Care Inc. as part of your team will provide you access to quality and compassionate non-medical, in-home support for anyone dealing with Alzheimer’s or Dementia now or in the future. Contact us today to discuss what your needs are or will be. We are here to help and to listen.