Senior Living: Alzheimer’s Association’s 10 habits for healthy brains

There is growing evidence that millennials are experiencing memory problems. Some reasons may be technology overload: Constant exposure to information and distractions from devices; high levels of stress often associated with millennial life; and irregular sleep patterns, all of which can negatively affect cognitive abilities.

So whether someone is an over-stimulated, stressed out, and sleep-challenged millennial or a boomer experiencing the normal cognitive changes that occur with aging,  incorporating the Alzheimer’s Association’s “10 Healthy Habits for Your Brain” into your life can help you maintain a healthy brain.

1. Challenge your mind. Be curious! Learn a new skill. And if you enjoy puzzles, you don’t always have to find the answer. It’s the mental effort that counts.

2. Take classes. Encourage your grandkids to stay in school and pursue the highest level of training possible. Continue your own education by taking a class at your local library, senior center, or online.

3. Get moving. Engage in any of the different types of exercise I mentioned last week. Find ways to build more movement into your day — walking, dancing, gardening — whatever works for you! What is good for your heart is good for your brain.

4. Protect your head. Most of us are smart enough to wear a helmet while riding a bicycle or wear our seatbelt while driving, but our greatest risk is falling. Don’t take chances. Hold on to the railing, watch for ice, and don’t hurry.  

5. Be smoke-free. Quitting smoking can lower the risk of cognitive decline back to levels similar to those who have not smoked. It’s never too late to stop.

6. Control your blood pressure. Healthy eating habits, physical activity, and medications can help. Work with a healthcare provider to control your blood pressure.

7. Manage diabetes. Type 2 diabetes can be prevented or controlled by eating healthier, increasing physical activity, and taking medications, if necessary.

8. Eat right. Eating healthier foods can help reduce your risk of cognitive decline. This includes more vegetables and leaner meats/proteins, along with foods that are less processed and lower in fat. A Mediterranean diet is the diet most recommended.

9. Sleep well. Stay off screens before bed and make your sleep space as comfortable as possible. Do all you can to minimize disruptions. If you have any sleep-related problems, such as sleep apnea, talk to a healthcare provider.

10. Maintain a healthy weight. Talk to your healthcare provider about the weight that is healthy for you. Other healthy habits on this list — eating right, exercising and sleeping well — can help with maintaining a healthy weight.

All of these healthy habits reduce the risk of cognitive decline and dementia. So take charge of your brain health today. It’s never too late, or for your millennial children, never too early to start.

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Brain Tease. On the website Braingle, I found this exercise that helps improve your ability to form concrete impressions from memory. So close your eyes and try to recreate the following smells.

1. A rotten egg; 2. Pumpkin pie; 3. Wet dog; 4. Freshly cut grass; 5. A new car.

How well did you do recreating the smells? For more of these exercises, search for Mental Smells on the Braingle website.

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The names of the pair of magpies created by Terrytunes studios who were always causing problems were Heckle and Jeckle. I received correct answers from Judy Kiser, Donna Mollet, Lana Tepfer, Bruce Johnson, and Keith and Marlene Clymer, who were close but no cigar for remembering two Looney Tunes cartoon crows you may also remember: Jose and Manuel. But this week’s winner of a quilt raffle ticket is Rose Schulz. And last week I missed Pat Evenson-Brady, Elaine Kirby, Julya Hoffman, and Donna Mollet who, as I have often done, forgot to hit the send key.

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The Beatles were two years into Beatlemania when they recorded the album Rubber Soul. One of the songs was a love ballad with some of the lyrics sung in French. For this week’s “Remember When” question, what was the title of this song that has become one of the most widely recorded Beatles songs? Email your answer to mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, call 541-296-4788, or send it with the Grammy trophy for the 1967 Song of the Year.

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Well, it has been another week, holding on to whatever I can find to hang on to. Until we meet again, don’t let the dinner bell catch you napping.

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 “What a wonderful life I’ve had! I only wish I’d realized it sooner.”    

— Colette

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Nutritious home-delivered and in-person meals are available at noon Monday through Friday unless otherwise noted.

Seniors of Mosier Valley (541-980-1157) — Wednesdays with music on second and fourth Wednesdays; Mt. Hood Town Hall (541-308-5997) — Tuesdays; Hood River Valley Adult Center (541-386-2060); Sherman County Senior and Community Center (541-565-3191); The Dalles Meals-on-Wheels (541-298-8333).

For meal sites in Washington, call Klickitat County Senior Services: Goldendale office (509-773-3757) or the White Salmon office (509-493-3068), and in Skamania County call Senior Services (509-427-3990).