Heads Up For Healthier Brains

We all forget things once in a while. Perhaps you've forgotten to send a birthday card or return an overdue library book. Forgetting stuff is a part of life and often becomes more common as we get older.

Alzheimer’s (alts – hi – mers) disease is different from everyday forgetting. It is a condition that permanently affects the brain, over time it makes it harder and harder to remember even basic stuff – like how to tie a shoe.

Eventually, a person may have trouble remembering the names and faces of family members, or even who he or she is. This is very sad for the person and their family. It’s really important to know that kids DO NOT get Alzheimer’s disease. It usually affects people over the age of 65.

When someone you love has Alzheimer’s disease you might feel sad or angry or both. You might feel nervous around that person, especially if he or she is having trouble remembering important things or can no longer take care of himself or herself.

If you visit a loved one, who has Alzheimer’s disease, try to be patient. He or she may have good days and bad days. It can be sad if you no longer are able to have fun the same ways you used to do. Maybe you and your grandmother loved to go to concerts. If that’s no longer possible perhaps you could bring her some wonderful music on a CD and listen to it together. It’s a way to show her that you care – and showing that love is important even if her memory is failing.

Lots of research is being done to find out more about the causes of Alzheimer’s disease. There is no one reason why people get Alzheimer’s disease. Older people are more likely to get it and the risk gets greater the older a person gets.

On the positive side, researchers believe exercise, a healthy diet and taking steps to keep your mind active (like doing crossword puzzles) may help to delay the onset of Alzheimer’s disease.

Again, Kids don’t get Alzheimer’s Disease but - it’s never too early to practice “Brain health”. To find out how you can keep your brain healthy go to the Neuroscience for Kids website @ http://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/brainfit.html click on Brain Fitness.

For more information on Alzheimer’s disease and what you can do to help someone you love go to http://www.alzheimer.sk.ca/english/Just4Kids/.