Pre-Senior Strategies

For seniors and their children – preparation is the key to a healthy future

New research indicates that African Americans and other people of color have twice the risk of getting Alzheimer’s due primarily to diet
and lack of proper medical care. With the expected number of folks
estimated to swell just when our health care system may have to
shrink it’s offerings and accessibility, it’s action time, people.

Here are the steps that will get you started:

1. Get moving! The number 1 way to combat cognitive decline is to keep the blood flow going and keep the brain busy. After the initial resistance, your muscles, joints and nervous system will wake up with the right level workout. Run it by your health provider. Start small and work your way
   up. Check out YouTube, phone apps, the local Y or community center. They may all have online offerings to get you started.
   
   
2. Use it or lose it, when it comes to the brain. So crossword puzzles aren’t
   your thing, but haven’t you always wanted to learn to draw, bead or do
   woodworking? There are plenty of online classes to get you started or just start experimenting with your computer paint program or different pens, pencils and paper. Practice makes the eye perfect
   in figuring out how to draw. The more you draw, the better you get.
   
   Also, online brain games, like Lumosity, are fun, challenging and stimu-
   lating. They guide you towards strengthening your weak spots and you
   will actually see changes in how you handle things in everyday life.
   You’re never too old!
   
3. Getting older is like being a car that goes from automatic to manual.
   You gotta do things intentionally that your body used to do without thinking. Stretch! Want to remember things. Write them down. Put
   up a calendar that you can write on. Set the timer on your stove
   before you walk away from that pot. Learn how to use some of
   the new technology. It will help you organize everything.
   
4. Get the tools you need to know what your body is doing. Every
   senior needs a blood pressure cuff, thermometer and even an
   oximeter at home. Know what foods affect your blood sugar so
   that you can avoid them. You shouldn’t wait until your next
   scheduled medical appointment to find that a new menu
   item is driving your blood pressure sky high. Check out
   the Apple watches along with other less expensive devices
   you can wear on your body to know and track those
   life saving numbers!
   
5. Put the brakes on eating everything you want all the time. There
   is no other part of your life where you can do whatever you want-
   no holds barred! Your body won’t tolerate it when it comes to
   food either. The ingredients corn syrup (also in sodas) and
   hydrogenated fats (like in baked goods) in processed foods
   are said to be the two top foods that contribute to Alzheimer’s.
   
   Most folks pay more attention to what they put in
   their cars than what they put in their bodies. Oh, and the Food
   Pyramid was obviously designed by food manufacturers. It’s
   led us to an epidemic of obesity, diabetes, hypertension and cancer.
   We have some ideas on this site about how to get and stay healthy
   at any age.
   
6. With all due respect for the many physicians out there who have
   sacrificed their whole lives to help you, you still have to be a
   smart consumer of medical care. Your doctor cannot know and
   tell you everything. Living is a participation sport. You have to
   take responsibility for tracking symptoms, your daily behaviors
   and all the stuff you try to forget as soon as you eat it or do it.
   People are quick to defend their health with, “Well my doctor
   said I am fine!” Uh-huh, but your doctor doesn’t know that you
   work 60 hours a week, skip breakfast, don’t sleep well and can’t
   walk a city block without looking for somewhere to sit down.
   You can change your physical and mental health now. It may
   take time, because you have to be aware of your inner misguider,
   but YOU CAN DO IT! Here are the facts you need to get
   started……..
   
7. Last, (for the moment) but not least, eliminate the sure
   enough unnecessary stress in your life. Give others a
   little grace when they don’t perform as hoped for.
   Give yourself the time and understanding that you
   deserve. Let things get done “in due time”, as you
   keep moving forward at a comfortable pace. Let go
   of people and things that cause you anxiety.