Posted on 04/18/2015 10:27:44 PM PDT by ckilmer
Brain health is the second most important component in maintaining a healthy lifestyle according to a 2014 AARP study. As people age they can experience a range of cognitive issues from decreased critical thinking to dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers write about eight nutrients that may help keep your brain in good shape.
(Excerpt) Read more at sciencedaily.com ...
Hydration, you are absolutely right, especially if you are trying to loose weight. If you are properly hydrated your urine will be very pale yellow, like a manila file folder. Any darker and you should immediately drink a glass or two of water. Eight glasses a day is good, especially taking at least one before each meal or snack for weight loss.
You people on this board rock. Especially those who are older and getting so much out of life. I am 47 in May and have lost basically the last ten years of my life because of brain injury. Pretty much starting over with the help of my fiancé and reading what you guys write gives me great hope for the future.
I have answered several other comments and included information that could help you as well, as I promised. Reading this I find myself asking if some of these symptoms are PTSD related, as well as those that are injury related. One way to dealt with PTSD symptoms like waking up with internal tremors, and night terrors is when waking up, allow yourself to experience the feelings fully. Allow yourself to continue shaking, say I’m afraid over and over again, cry if it feels right. Forget about the stiff upper lip culture, it IS OK for men to cry, especially if you can do it privately, with one trusted friend (spouse or parent), or therapeutic group. This helped my macho, alcoholic, PTSD suffering husband immensely. Of course, the fact that I had already had therapy for the PTSD he had caused me, enabled me to help him when he was finally ready. In one of his first therapy groups when I finally persuaded him to go, the big strong German woman therapist ask him, “Who told you big boys don’t cry,” and he was on the mat wailing in a few seconds. In the early months he would come home somewhat intoxicated (his painkiller), and I would invite him into our sound proofed room to work on feelings. After a while he could access feelings without killing the pain, and eventually a friend invited him to AA and he never got drunk again. He was sober for 5 years, and then the Alzheimer’s began, oh well!
Even when my husband’s Alzheimer’s was fairly advanced he could do jobs that were continuous, like sweeping the sidewalk, or raking the moss around our cabin in the country. We had bought some land with an open shed and I decided we could close it in to make a small cabin. He loved to work, but couldn’t remember he was retired. He could not plan or remember for more than 10 or 15 seconds, but if I started a cut in a piece of lumber, he could continue cutting it until it was finished. Then he could hold it in position while I nailed it. He could also drive additional nails if I showed him were to put them. We had no electricity and he was much stronger than me. Perhaps you could get a job as a helper to someone who understands your memory issues. With my husband it was important to work with him directly. Try to figure out how long you can remember and find work that fits within that memory framework. Also find someone who doesn’t mind reminding you, or leave yourself notes. Hope this helps.
I too like to swim, but am not as disciplined about it. Don’t go in the winter but now that we have warm days, will start again, also start up gardening and building things. ;-) Also one 81mg Aspirin a day for 20 years and other supplements as well. Plan to live to be over 100. My grandfather made it to 98, and his jolly sister to 103. My parents lived to be 90, but I am more relaxed and happier, and careful.
I have read both of your posts. you and your husband really had some battles but it sounds like you fought the together and I am sorry he got Alzheimer’s and amazed at how much you cared for him. I love this board because I think there are six people like me on it and that’s it lol. New Yorkers with NO real outdoors experience and I feel like I get a peek into another world. Its awesome.
I got fired after one night because of memory issues after taking a job for the fist tie in six years. Funny thing is, I took a 4 hour graphics test in the city last month (that’s what I sued to do) and passed it even though only five percent pass. I remember the skills I learned before the injury well. Alas, I didn’t get hired because no one wants to hire someone with a five year gap from a head injury. I could deliver food for some extra money. I don’t know what the future holds.
Since you have a skill, perhaps you could do some volunteer work. since you live in an urban area there must be after school programs, work training programs, etc. where you could teach or use your graphic skills. I speak Spanish and after volunteering 10 to 20 hours a week for a politician was offered a job when an employee left. Worked there for 3 years. Subsequently I ran a resume service for several years, and since then have been self-employed. Now retired and busier than ever. Since you have a fiance, perhaps you can do some of what I mentioned about the PTSD type symptoms. My husband and I used to take turns processing feelings, and now my sweetheart and I do that. We both have done a lot of emotional processing, but sometimes grieve that we are getting old and one of us will die first. We can hold each other and have a good cry about this. I can go into more details at Private Message if you wish.
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I’ve heard recently that the problem with drinking a lot of water before a meal is that it dilutes the acid in your stomach so food doesn’t digest properly. That its best to drink an hour or so after a meal so as to give your food time to digest.
may not be true but sounds sensible on its face.
Find ANY form of exercise which does NOT bore you.
For me it is golf. For 12 years I belonged to a private golf club, and could play unlimited golf for one fixed monthly fee. That changed my life. I played 5 times a week, and walked the 18 holes.
Swimming is wonderful exercise, because it is least stressful on your bone joints. I see old guys jogging on hard surfaces. And playing tennis. That will give you elbow pain and busted knee joints. But you should not remain idle in winter. Join a YMCA or any other modest priced swim facility.
One purpose for drinking the water before a meal is that for some people thirst is misinterpreted as hunger. If you check the color of your pee, you can see if it is bright yellow or darker which means you definitely should drink the water immediately. You can also drink the water and then wait a half hour to eat. You may find you desire less food. Good for weight loss. If you are really having a hard time digesting or absorbing calcium, you can mix a little apple cider vinegar (tablespoon or 2) with water and drink that too.
I understand your comment was primarily to someone else but appreciate you including me about your husband’s troubles. He certainly had many bad ones.
Mostly I commented because you took such good care of him during his final days/months/years. You have a good heart.
You were over weight, stressed by work (probably sedentary work at that), and decided to retire early. Stress reduced, diet changed, exercise increased....BUT you still have longevity genes else you would have crumped before you had a chance to improve
Cavemen ran most of the time...they starved a lot, had terrible teeth, died early and it is a wonder that anyone survived long enough to do anything
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