Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive and fatal brain disorder that affects memory and other cognitive functions.
While there’s no cure for Alzheimer’s, there are ways you can manage its symptoms to improve your quality of life. Eating healthy foods, exercising regularly (link to “light exercises for elderlies post), getting regular checkups, managing other health conditions and staying social are all simple ways to improve your chances of living longer with Alzheimer’s.
Eat healthy/Eat balanced meals
You’ll want to eat foods low in saturated fat and cholesterol, like fruits and vegetables, whole grains, poultry and fish.
Choose lean meats (avoid red meat), low-fat dairy products such as milk or yogurt and nonfat milk products (single cream cheese), small amounts of nuts/seeds/legumes/fruits with each meal.
Try to eat at least 3 servings of fruits or vegetables each day; these foods are nutritious sources of fiber that may help lower blood pressure levels.
Limit sugar intake
Limit your intake of sugar-sweetened drinks such as soda pop or juice; limit desserts like cakes, cookies or candy bars that contain added sugars.
Don’t overeat fatty foods like fried chicken skinned first before other meats because it’s loaded with fat! Instead try grilled chicken breast cutlets instead which have less calories per serving size than fried ones do – just make sure they’re not battered too heavily so they don’t become soggy once cooked through cooking time has passed.”
Exercise regularly
There are tons of exercises that you can engage in to keep your blood flowing well into old age.
Regular exercise will cause the body to tear some muscles here and there but don’t panic because it’s actually a good thing.
As these muscles give way during exercises, the body replaces them with more newer and healthier muscles.
This is why a good diet is important. Understanding the foods and nutrients that are good for you, especially if one has an ailment like Alzheimer can really go a long way.
Stay social.
Social interaction is important for mental health. It’s also a good idea to stay connected with friends and family, as well as people you know in the community who can help you navigate through your day-to-day activities.
In addition to keeping up with current events (and perhaps sharing them on Facebook), it’s also important that Alzheimer’s patients continue their regular routines and maintain healthy habits.
For example, if they do not exercise regularly, it may be difficult for them to keep up with physical activity later in life; likewise if they don’t eat well or sleep enough (which many people forget when dealing with Alzheimer’s), then these factors could negatively impact both physical health as well as cognitive function.
Take your medication as it is prescribed.
You should take your medication as prescribed by a doctor.
Some medications can help with the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease, and others may be used to treat other medical conditions.
But, like any drug or supplement you take, they can have side effects and interactions with other drugs you’re taking—so it’s important to talk with your doctor before changing dosage levels or stopping any medications.
“Caring for your physical health can help you manage the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease and slow its progress.”
The first step in caring for your physical health is to get checked out by a doctor. A physical exam can help detect any abnormalities, such as high blood pressure or diabetes, that may be causing problems with brain function.
Next, start exercising regularly and eating well-balanced meals and snacks that are low in fats and sugars (which can contribute to weight gain).
Exercise is particularly important for keeping the brain sharp as you age; studies show that people who exercise have healthier brains than those who don’t!
Finally, if you’re diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, use these tips to take care of yourself emotionally as well as physically—and help manage symptoms before they get out of control.
If you or someone you know is suffering from Alzheimer’s disease and aren’t quite sure what to do to handle the situation, please feel free to explore the option of referring to a memory care home like Reliable Oaks.
You can also visit Reliable Oaks Assisted Living for more information about how to schedule an appointment or get a free consultation.