Pose mental challenges to stave off Alzheimer's

Q: What, if anything, can we older folks do to help prevent Alzheimer's disease?
A: At this time, I do not believe there is a sure preventative method against Alzheimer's, but certainly a great deal of research is being done. I have read about certain medications that have been developed, and your physician could certainly give you information about them. As for my personal recommendation, as always it is to be as mentally active as possible.
Alzheimer's disease is characterized by a loss of mental ability. Inasmuch as mental activity makes the brain grow and change, the chances would seem to be that an increase in mental activities is called for. As usual, I suggest all kinds of mental challenges, especially new ones. Check out your newspaper and your favorite bookstore for puzzles and problems that attract your interest. Don't try to begin at too difficult a level, of course. You might well become discouraged, and at this point it is imperative that you start building your confidence.
Older adults often feel vulnerable and insecure if they believe that their memory and/or other mental abilities are not as sharp as they once were. Unfortunately, the more apprehension one feels, the more likely it is that problems with mental ability will become worse. Building confidence by working on mental activities usually relieves the insecurity and results in improved mental ability.
Working on becoming increasingly aware is also an important part of improving mental fitness. Pay close attention to details around you.
Utilize a technique called sensory observation, which involves using all five of your senses when you observe any particular object. A typical example is the observation of a paper clip--use sight, touch, hearing, smell and taste. (You may want to avoid tasting it!) Write a list of at least fifteen things that you can observe. For example, it is silver, smooth and shiny. Any information concerning the use of a paper clip is not a valid part of this exercise.
Try this also with certain food items--a pretzel stick, or a glass of sparkling water, perhaps. Time consuming? Yes, but if you are worried about your mental situation, this is an activity that can be of great value. The time spent concentrating on your surroundings and details of objects you come in contact with, is very valuable time indeed.
Learning something completely new can also help brain growth. Do you have a yen to learn a new language, or investigate a particular era in history, or some other favorite subject? Check on the possible availability of classes. There are so many, in adult schools, senior centers, and other institutions.
The interaction with other students would also be valuable. Social contacts are essential for older adults. Studies indicate that those who are alone and do not spend time with others do not live as long as those who are more social.
In review, my advice to anyone trying to avoid Alzheimer's is to be more aware, by using sensory observation, increase mental activity, and interact with others.

Try to focus if you have a bad day

Q: What do you have to say regarding “bad days”? (When coffee, for example, makes no difference or even makes matters worse.
A: The term “bad day” may mean different things to different people, but for me “bad days”, though rare, involve having usual events not go as I expect, often because something unexpected has happened to distract me from my regular schedule. That can certainly happen to anyone.
My immediate reaction for you is that a special activity or technique is called for that will force you, or at least encourage you, to concentrate. Try to be particularly aware of everything around you. Use sensory observation in a methodical manner to examine anything with which you come in contact. This means, as you may had noted from some of the other things I have written, that you observe using all senses—touch, taste, smell, hear and see everything that you contact. Might you still be at breakfast when you realize that you are having a bad day? If so, carefully consider your breakfast fare. (At such a relatively early hour, this may seem a bit difficult, but give it a try.)
Perhaps you are having orange juice—freshly squeezed, of course. Take a little extra time to observe the orange with all your senses. Notice the texture of the orange peel, and the odor before it is cut. Check the end of the orange that was attached to the tree, and the opposite end as well. Is it a navel orange, or some other type? You are unlikely to hear anything from the orange, unless you happen to drop it. The tasting will occur when you have prepared the juice.
Continue observing the rest of your breakfast as well as you possibly can. Then move on to your daily activities.
Whatever you need to do next, make an extreme effort to keep focused. This may also prove to be very difficult. If you need to read something, be certain that you understand the content. On bad days, it is often easier to skim over any reading material, and later you realize that you did not truly grasp whatever it was that you read. Think about the subject. Did you understand it? If not, make another attempt.
On days such as these, I often find that physical exercise is very helpful. If you are medically fit, try an aerobic procedure. For me, a higher heart rate and the resulting increased blood flow can often produce a minor miracle in the way I feel. If you are advised by your physician not to perform aerobic exercise, just go about whatever your routine physical activity may be.
A simple walk can be extremely helpful, both physically and mentally. As you proceed along your chosen route, start using sensory observation again. Notice flowers and other interesting plants. How many different odors can you detect? Making a list of them can be very helpful. Listen carefully for any sounds around you, and be sure to touch anything that appeals to you, and that isn’t dangerous. Again, all this will take time and effort. But do give it a try.
Let’s keep those “bad days” at a minimum!