There will be a time in your life when you have that “ah-ha” moment. For Judy, it was recalling an occasion, years back, when she looked out her hotel window and saw an older man — much older than herself — shuffling along the sidewalk. He wasn’t dirty, but you wouldn’t say clean either — and his pants and shirt didn’t match in color or pattern. She remembers her immediate reaction — a sense of sadness and pity.
Years later, when she again pictured that scene, it was her “ah–ha” moment — for, she realized, it didn’t really matter how he dressed, how he looked, and whether he shuffled or ran. It didn’t matter. At this time in her life, she understands that what was once so important is no longer: Your mobility, social position, appearance, clothes. And it was liberating — providing a new sense of freedom; creating opportunities to pursue her postponed callings and no longer bound by unnecessary social constraints. (Let me pause here to make it clear — there are limits. I don’t want to see anyone dressed for Halloween as Lady Godiva!)
This sense of freedom leads to a new awareness of what is important: A trueness to self and accepting who we are; meaningful connections with friends with all their gifts and faults; and an appreciation of the banquet that lies before us. By learning and discovering these new understandings of life, these “ah-ha” moments, we can look forward with anticipation and hope, as each day we bravely step into the future.
•••
Several weeks ago, I wrote about the early signs of dementia. But how can you accurately determine whether what you fear is true?
There is no single test that can determine if a person is living with Alzheimer’s or another dementia. Physicians use diagnostic tools combined with medical history and other information including cognitive and functional assessments. However, according to the National Institute on Health (NIH), the most accurate diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias currently requires either a sample of cerebrospinal fluid or a PET scan, neither of which can be done in primary care clinics.
Today, researchers are working on developing a simple, affordable, and accessible blood test that could be performed by your primary care provider in their office. In a new study, funded in part by NIH, researchers have developed a blood test that predicted a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease with 88% to 92% accuracy. Clinical evaluations done in primary care settings performed without biomarker-based blood tests were only 61% accurate. Although further testing is needed, this is exciting news.
However, advances like these are only possible if individuals step forward to participate in clinical trials and studies. Last spring, I participated in the PFX Dementia Study at OHSU, which I won’t take time to explain except that I failed the cognitive test of how to get to OHSU’s Marquam Hill Campus. And I used Google Maps!
You can find a list of trials for Alzheimer’s and other dementias by searching online for Alzheimer’s Association TrialMatch. Or for trials and studies at OHSU, you can find them at trials.ohsu.edu. Who knows, you may find one you’re interested in and help researchers better understand and treat the different forms of dementia.
•••
Brain Tease: Inside each set of the following words are a pair of smaller words. By putting “and” between them, you’ll make a familiar phrase. For example, “Thighbone/Swallowtail” conceals “High & Low.”
1. Skyrocketing/Trolleyman
2. Thermometer/Apoplexy
3. Delaware/Bordering
4. Surprised/Trashiness
5. Throughout/Stumblebum
•••
The baseball player nicknamed “Mr. October” because of his baseball heroics in October was Reggie Jackson. I received correct answers from Steven Woolpert, Judy Kiser, Dave Lutgens, Donna Mollet, Nancy Higgins, Bruce Johnson and Jay Waterbury, this week’s winner of a quilt raffle ticket. And last week I missed Marta Moser and Eileen White.
In this 1978 horror film, a San Francisco health inspector and his colleague discover that humans are being replaced by alien duplicates, each a biological clone of the person replaced, but devoid of empathy and humanity. For this week’s “Remember When” question celebrating Halloween, what was the name of this film which was a remake of the 1956 film of the same name? Email your answer to mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, leave a message at 541-296-4788, or send it with a tray of pods with pink flowers.
•••
Well, it’s been another week, doing the best I can with what I’ve been given. Until we meet again, sometimes we must eat what is served — even if it is liver and onions!
•••
“Getting old is like climbing a mountain: you get a little out of breath, but the view is much better!”
— Ingrid Bergman
•••
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 2nd and 4th 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).
Answers:
- Rock and roll. 2. Mom and pop. 3. Law and order. 4. Rise and shine. 5. Rough and tumble.
Commented