A couple of years ago, my family watched my grandmother become smaller in stature and we listened to her conversations, that would range from her sounding like a child before sounding like a grown-up in a matter of seconds. We had no idea it was dementia — we assumed it was merely old age. Many families go through the same thing.
I’ve never heard of anyone saying they enjoy thinking of what getting old will be like, but the reality is that it will happen. It may occur in different ways. Some may experience growing old with exceptional health and others the complete opposite. Either way, you look at it, it’s important to have a clear understanding of what happens to our mental health over time.
Dementia vs Alzheimer’s
Alzheimer’s
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Dementia symptoms
1/ Memory loss
Difficulties remembering recent events or conversations, which often progresses to forgetting the names of friends and family members, as well as getting lost easily in familiar surroundings.
2/ Depression
In the early stages, patients are aware that they are losing memory, and this makes them feel low.
3/ Impaired judgment
People with Alzheimer’s often lose the function of their frontal lobes, which we use to make decisions, plan tasks, and keep our behaviour in check.
4/ Disorientation
Patients can’t recall things from one moment to the next. In familiar environments, you can become confused or disorientated.
5/ Behavioural changes
Patients can become aggressive or paranoid, and forget even simple tasks, like how to look after themselves, eat, or take their medication.
6/ Forgetting the basics
Speaking, swallowing, or walking in advanced stages of the disease becomes difficult. This is because the damaged brain can no longer send the correct signals to the other part of the brain.
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Reducing the risk
Doctors have been saying for years, that what we eat has an effect on our health, but it’s becoming increasingly clear, that what we eat, has an effect on the brain as well. Dr Richardson recommends frequent servings of green leafy vegetables such as kale, spinach, broccoli and collards that are packed with vitamins A and C. “At least two servings a week can help, and researchers found six or more servings a week provide the greatest brain benefits,” she says.
Nuts are a good snack for brain health as they contain healthy fats, fibre and antioxidants, and studies have found they can help lower bad cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart disease. Blueberries and strawberries are one of the more potent foods in terms of protecting the brain. Dr Richardson says, “Strawberries have also shown benefits in past studies looking at the effect of food on cognitive function. I recommend eating berries at least twice a week.”
According to Eating Well, a You can also take supplements such as folic acid, vitamin B12, vitamin D, magnesium, and fish oil may help to preserve brain health, that may be beneficial in preventing or delaying Alzheimer’s.
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