Alicia Seaver is the Vice President of Memory Care Operations for EPOCH Senior Living and a Certified Memory Impairment Specialist. Every month, she addresses a specific issue related to memory and memory care. If you’re interested in hearing about a particular topic, please send a note to [email protected].
Q: My mother is in the early stages of dementia. What can we be doing to make sure she stays as healthy as possible throughout her journey?
A: A diagnosis of dementia in someone you love is life-changing. However, if dementia is diagnosed in the early stages of the disease, there are many things you and your loved one can do to help them live as healthy as possible. Appropriate medical treatment is, of course, an essential part of managing the disease, but there are plenty of lifestyle factors that can greatly benefit quality of life. Here are some of the things that caregivers and their loved ones can start doing today to help enhance overall health and well-being.
Eat a proper diet. Good nutrition is essential for individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. Certain foods can trigger or exacerbate dementia symptoms, while others can help improve brain and body function. Fortunately, eating a healthy diet doesn’t require you to follow any complicated rules. Most of it is common sense: Eat lots of fruits and vegetables, select whole grains over processed ones, opt for lean proteins like chicken and fish, choose healthy fats like olive oil and add some low-fat dairy into your daily diet. Limit things like processed foods, foods that are high in saturated fat and excess sugar and sodium.
Get a daily dose of exercise. Staying physically active is one of the best things any of us can do to improve our health, including those living with dementia. Regular exercise can help boost brain function while also improving muscle tone and balance and potentially slowing or stalling the progression of the disease. Exercise also increases serotonin levels in the brain and helps improve mood, both of which contribute to a happy, healthy life.
Stay socially involved. Social interaction and connection are very important for everyone, but especially for those with dementia, as they can easily become isolated, lonely and depressed. Experts suggest that remaining socially connected helps individuals with dementia maintain brain health. Besides meeting with friends and family regularly, volunteering and getting involved with a club or hobby can also help nurture interpersonal connections.
Play brain games. Your body isn’t the only part of you that needs regular exercise. Your brain does, too. You probably already know that keeping your brain active can help reduce your risk of developing a cognitive disease like Alzheimer’s. You may not know that those with dementia can benefit from mental stimulation, too. Appropriate brain games and mental exercises like word games, puzzles, card games and others can help keep the brain functioning as high as possible. Be sure to adjust games according to your loved one’s abilities and cognitive level as the disease progresses.
Work on preventing falls. Falls are the main reason why seniors visit the emergency room each year. With dementia, an individual’s balance, visual abilities, and depth perception all decline over time, which can increase the already sizable risk of falls. In order to make sure your loved one’s living environment is as safe as possible, make sure that walkways are clear, lighting is bright and grab bars and other safety features are installed throughout the home.
A healthy lifestyle will always be beneficial to anyone living with a cognitive disease like Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia. Practicing good health and lifestyle habits will ensure happiness, fulfillment and engagement in daily life. Of course, before making any changes, be sure to consult your physician to gain any additional insight into managing your loved one’s health.
Enhancing Quality of Life
Bridges® by EPOCH communities have been developed from the ground up to anticipate, meet and exceed the needs of our residents and their families. Our team of remarkable people, the exceptional care and services we offer and the purposeful design of our buildings all combine to create the most rewarding, secure and nurturing lifestyle possible for our residents.
We understand the concern families feel about ensuring quality of life for loved ones. That’s why, at Bridges® by EPOCH, we offer a wellness-centered lifestyle that focuses on reinforcing individual strength, so residents enjoy heightened confidence and self-esteem. Ultimately, we provide everything residents need to thrive and rediscover a life with purpose.
Inspiration for Success
At our Bridges® by EPOCH communities, we work closely with families to gain necessary insight and deeper understanding into the lives of our residents upon admission. With this initial information, along with what our exceptional team members learn about our residents every day, we are best prepared to provide highly individualized programming for our residents.
Bridges® by EPOCH is New England’s largest stand-alone memory care assisted living provider.