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As the Canadian population ages, injury and death from falls are on the rise. And a serious head injury, with loss of consciousness, is associated with a higher risk of developing dementia.
Here are few recommendations for proactively preventing falls in your home:
(Source: Canada Safety Council - http://canadasafetycouncil.org/home)
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Compared to the general population, seniors are more likely to suffer serious health consequences from falling.
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Although we are all at risk for head injuries, young people tend to suffer more head traumas. Therefore it is important to protect your head, at any age, for lifelong brain health.
Here are some important recommendations:
Note: Your abilities, health and interests should be taken into consideration when choosing brain healthy activities. If you have questions about your own situation, speak to your doctor or health care provider.
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Completing a personal action plan can greatly enhance your motivation and keep you focused on what you can confidently achieve. It's important that you succeed!
Take some time to think about what you will do to stay active and continue to maintain or improve your brain health.
Download and print a copy of the activity sheet My Personal Action Plan below. Reflect on and answer the statements in both columns. Then circle the number between 0 and 10 that represents your confidence level.
You may have printed this activity sheet after completing another session. Feel free to use the one sheet to track all of your actions in one place as you move through this program.
If you rate your confidence below a 7, you might want to look at the barriers and consider reworking your action plan so that it's something you are confident that you can accomplish.
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Most of us are social beings and usually prefer the company of others rather than existing in isolation. It's often more fun doing things with other people, to share experiences like going to the movies or a concert, take off on a trip somewhere or discover a new restaurant.
To help look after your brain health it's important to be social with people whose company you enjoy and in ways that interest you.
(Source: Your Brain Matters, Alzheimer's Australia)
Think about the social activities that interest you the most! Type an activity in the box below, where it says "Type word here". For example, an activity might be “bowling” or “coffee chat”. Move to the next box and type another one. You can type up to 15 activities. Drag the bar along the scale to show how important each social activity is to you in relation to the others. When you are finished hit "Generate" and see your social connections appear in a "cloud" picture.
Complete the social connections "cloud" exercise below. It will help you identify, and possibly expand, the social activities (formal and informal) that are of interest to you.
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After you complete the exercise, print a copy of your "cloud" and take a few minutes to reflect on the following questions. Feel free to make some notes.
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Visit the link below for more reading on the following:
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At any time, you may scroll to the Search bar at the top of the page and type a specific question or topic.
Note: Your abilities, health and interests should be taken into consideration when choosing brain healthy activities. If you have questions about your own situation, speak to your doctor or health care provider.
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At any time, you may scroll to the Search bar at the top of the page and type a specific question or topic.
Completing a personal action plan can greatly enhance your motivation and keep you focused on what you can confidently achieve. It's important that you succeed!
Take some time to think about what you will do to continue to maintain or improve your brain health.
Download and print a copy of the activity sheet My Personal Action Plan below. Reflect on and answer the statements in both columns. Then circle the number between 0 and 10 that represents your confidence level.
You may have printed this activity sheet after completing another session. Feel free to use the one sheet to track all your actions in one place as you move through this program.
If you rate your confidence below a 7, you might want to look at the barriers and consider reworking your action plan so that it's something you are confident that you can accomplish.
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At any time, you may scroll to the Search bar at the top of the page and type a specific question or topic.
Reducing stress is one practical action you can take to improve your brain health. It is a lifestyle choice!
By making healthy lifestyle choices, you may be able to reduce your risk and improve your brain's ability to sustain long-term health.
Will healthy lifestyle choices prevent Alzheimer's disease? There are no guarantees, but evidence suggests that healthy lifestyles help the brain maintain connections and even build new ones. That means that a healthy brain can withstand illness better. So take action today.
Sessions 5 to 8 of this program touch on the following four important lifestyle choices:
Watch this video and listen to host, Liana Shannon, as she provides a brief overview of these four topics. When you complete this session, if you haven't already done so, take some time to work through sessions 5, 6, and 7.
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To effectively relieve stress, we need to activate the body's natural relaxation response. There are a number of techniques you can try that will fit into your daily routine.
Some techniques require very little time. And they will help to reduce everyday stress and boost your energy and mood.
Examples include:
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With its focus on full, cleansing breaths, deep breathing is a simple, yet powerful, relaxation technique. It's easy to learn, can be practiced almost anywhere, and provides a quick way to get your stress levels in check. Deep breathing is the cornerstone of many other relaxation practices, too, and can be combined with other relaxing elements such as aromatherapy and music. All you really need is a few minutes and a place to stretch out. (Source: www.helpguide.org)
Watch this video and learn a deep breathing relaxation technique as occupational therapist, Gina Shimoda demonstrates how it is done. Follow along!
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Visualization, or guided imagery, is a variation on traditional meditation that requires you to employ not only your visual sense, but also your sense of taste, touch, smell, and sound. When used as a relaxation technique, visualization involves imagining a scene in which you feel at peace, free to let go of all tension and anxiety. (Source: www.helpguide.org)
Sit back, relax and listen to this audio recording of a guided imagery.
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Experiencing some stress is part of everyday life, so how you manage it is important to your long-term health.
By reducing the harmful effects of stress on your body, you improve your brain health and you may reduce your risk of developing Alzheimer's disease.
You can reduce the harmful effects of stress on your mind and body through meditation, deep breathing, massage or physical exercise. The key is to explore a variety of techniques and find those that work for you.
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At any time, you may scroll to the Search bar at the top of the page and type a specific question or topic.
Taking care of someone with dementia requires time and energy. It can be a demanding and stressful task. Knowing and recognizing the signs of stress in yourself or someone you care about is the first step toward taking action.
Watch this video to learn about the 10 warning signs of care partner stress.
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For reflection...
After you watch the video, take a few minutes to reflect on the following questions. Feel free to make some notes.
Care partner stress is a normal part of Alzheimer caregiving. There are steps you can take to reduce it but first, you must recognize it.
If you or someone you know is exhibiting signs of care partner stress, it is important to seek help. The person under stress should go to the doctor for regular check-ups. Ask family members and friends for their help and support. Take advantage of community programs that provide respite and relief from caregiving, practical help with meals or housework and assistance with the care of the person with Alzheimer's disease. And plan ahead for both the immediate future and the long term. These are just some of the things care partners can do to make their lives a bit easier
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