From the desk of Rosemary Laird, MD
Founder of Navigating Aging Needs (NAN), LLC
Preventing Alzheimer's
If you are a caregiver of a loved one suffering from Alzheimer’s, you may no doubt be wondering if you are susceptible to the disease yourself as well — especially if you and your loved one are genetically related. It’s true that recent studies have shown a genetic connection between inheriting some forms of genes and getting Alzheimer’s, but the number of people having this genetic profile is very small — less than 2% of the U.S. population. But even "having the gene" for Alzheimer's is not a guarantee an individual will develop the disease.
Remember This!
It’s important to note that memories aren’t “stored” in a particular place in the brain, like you might put a file in a folder. Rather, the latest scientific thinking is that a particular memory is stored throughout the brain, a little like a hologram. That means “retrieving” a memory can be prone to errors and distortions and can change over time. To keep your own memory healthy and robust, remember that the mind is very closely integrated with the body.
The Road to Recovery
As the aftermath of Ian leaves us all a little soggy and suffering from “Hurricane Brain,” as one of our Navigators calls it, it’s time to explore how we can best turn to some “recovery” practices to get ourselves back. As elite athletes will tell you, the “recovery” part of training is just as important as the training itself. It gives the body a chance to rebuild, make new connections, and grow stronger.