Alzheimer’s-proof

Anyone who’s walked with a loved one through Alzheimer’s knows that it’s a challenging path to trod. It’s tough and frustrating for the sufferer–and tough and frustrating for those who love them.

My experience walking with my Grandma through Alzheimer’s has convinced me of one thing: I’m going to do everything within my power to keep my children and grandchildren from having to experience that kind of anguish. I’m going to do everything possible to prevent the onset of that disease, a disease of relationships as much as it is a disease of the mind.

Which is why I’ve been collecting research (and pseudo-research) on Alzheimer’s prevention.

Risk Factors for Alzheimers

Can’t modify:
• Age
• Female sex
• Biological markers of inflammation

May be able to modify:

• Hypertension
• High BMI
• Stroke
• Diabetes
• Low Mood (depression or anxiety)
• Effects of chronic illness
• History of head trauma
• Functional/physical disability
• Sensory handicaps
• Neuroticism

Can modify:

• Lack of physical activity
• Stress
• Poor sleep

Preventative factors for Alzheimers

May be able to modify:
• Higher socioeconomic status
• Better lung capacity
• Good health
• Better cognitive function
• Self-efficacy in instrumental aspects of life

Can modify:

• Higher levels of education
• Moderate alcohol use
• Social engagement and support
• Use of vitamin supplements

That was mostly science. Based on epidemiological studies, people who have such factors are either more or less at risk for developing Alzheimer’s. The pseudo-science comes in when you ask if and how you can impact your risk of developing Alzheimer’s by changing your behavior.

But I’m willing to jump on the risk-avoidance bandwagon–or the proactive prevention bandwagon, if you’d rather.

Which is why I’ve pulled my recorder off the floor and started playing.

I can hear your “Huh?” loud and clear.

Well, it just so happens that “better cognitive function” is a preventative factor. And one of the proposed means of increasing cognitive function is playing an instrument. It also just so happens that “better lung capacity” is a preventative factor. And one of the means of increasing lung capacity (along with aerobic activity) is playing a wind instrument.

It just so happens that I have a wind instrument–a little plastic recorder I received as part of a white elephant gift exchange at my life group. That recorder has been sitting on my bedroom floor since the day I pulled it out and tried–very unsuccessfully–to teach myself to play.

But, bolstered by the thought of saving my grandchildren from the agony that is Alzheimer’s, I grasped hold of the recorder, googled “how to play the recorder”, and began my education.

Amazingly enough, despite my initial failure, I was able to successfully play “Mary had a little lamb” last night–and to still play it again this morning. Turns out you don’t just blow one endless breath into the recorder–and you don’t hold the recorder at a right angle to your face either.

Ah, thank goodness for the internet! What would I do without handy self-teach websites like this one? I’d probably already be senile–and terrorizing the entire world!