This post is part of a series by Linda Hitt Kempf, RN, LNHA about the latest research and help for patients and family members dealing with Alzheimer’s disease. Read part 1 and part 2 of this series.
Dr. Boz Tabler is a local geriatric psychiatrist who has helped hundreds of nursing home administrators and families learn how to help Alzheimer’s patients.
“If asked by a family member what is the one thing they can do to ward off dementia, I would say…
…without question, exercise your brain,” Dr. Tabler says. “No matter how old you are, learn something new — a new skill, a new language. Take an art history course; learn to be a gourmet chef. Enroll in a current events discussion group or read about secret missions of WWII.
“Challenge yourself to learn something new every day. I try to learn a new word each day. Choose something that is stimulating enough to keep your interest but not so demanding that you get bored and quit.”
Dr. Tabler also recommends two books to help you learn about preventing Alzheimer’s:
- 100 Simple Things You Can Do to Prevent Alzheimer’s by Jean Carper. The title clearly indicates the content. It is an easy read.
- Spark by John J. Ratey, MD. Dr. Ratey gives a scholarly insight into the benefits of exercise on the brain. It is a fascinating and detailed look at the science supporting the benefits of exercise.
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