How to Avoid Alzheimer's Disease and Senior Care

Alzheimer's disease is a devastating disease - it impairs your ability to reason and judge, remember and record, and carry out even the most routine of daily activities. If you begin to notice symptoms in yourself or a loved one, you may need constant care from a senior care service. Senior care placement can help a lot, but if you are still young, or you notice the beginnings of the disease, you may be able to prolong its effects or avoid it altogether. Here's how:

1. Diet: Folate is apparently a great contributor to a healthy lifestyle, especially in terms of decreasing the risk of Alzheimer's. This B-vitamin is found in green leafy veggies, bananas, oranges, and legumes. But folate is just an example of the benefits of eating more fruits and vegetables;changing your diet will improve your health in other ways too.

2. General Health: Moderation is important. When it comes to healthy living, you can't expect to smoke a pack a day and be healthy. Similarly, drinking to excess isn't good either.

3. Exercise: This tip may conjure visions of the gym, but a quiet walk is all you need to exercise better. Studies show that walking for 45 minutes three times a week for six months may drastically improve your overall health. In a clinical study, those who lifted weights and stretched didn't have any lesser dementia, but the walkers did.

4. Brain exercise: Keeping your brain busy is an important way to maintain mental health. It doesn't have to be calculus - simple things like conversation, playing cards, and going to the movies can lessen your risk of Alzheimer's.

5. Injuries: If you played football when you were younger, chances are you're more likely to have Alzheimer's. Serious injuries that result from not wearing helmets on bikes and motorcycles, your seat belt in the car, or any other protective gear, are closely linked with this ugly disease.

6. Don't Worry, Be Happy: If you often feel sad, anxious, or depressed your chances for Alzheimer's double, studies show. What to do about it? Relax, and if you are depressed, talk to your doctor about medication.

7. Genetics: Don't blame your parents; only about 25% of your genes account for Alzheimer's disease. Diabetes can make you significantly more liable, though.

To prevent Alzheimer's, all it really takes is a healthy lifestyle. Eat well, walk around, read a lot, sleep, relax, and take care of yourself. You may have to make some minor (or major) lifestyle tweaks, but it's never too late to start. And if you see signs of Alzheimer's in your body or a loved one's, you can see a doctor for medical care, and senior care for tips on how to live with your disease.