Your Diet Can Reduce Your Risk for Alzheimer's Disease

Several studies are showing links to our dietary habits and our risk for Alzheimer’s.  The Mayo Clinic reports that a hybrid of two diets, the DASH diet that helps reduce high blood pressure and the Mediterranean diet that improves heart health, may protect our brain health.   

Known as the "MIND" diet, which is short for Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay, the diet consists of lots of natural plant-based foods while limiting red meat, saturated fat and sugar.  Based on observational studies, research suggests that following the MIND diet can “reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease by up to 53 percent as well as slow cognitive decline and improve verbal memory.”

One category of food at the top of the list is green leafy vegetables with a recommendation of at least six servings a week in dishes such as salads.  The diet also includes one serving of other vegetables daily.  MIND’s primary fruit is to eat berries at least twice a week.  Red meat is reduced to less than four times a week, cheese to less than one serving per week, while poultry and fish consumed twice or once a week respectively.  Other recommended proteins include nuts and beans.  

Oil should be mainly from olive oil and butter or margarine reduced to less than a tablespoon a day; and fried or fast food eaten less than once a week.  MIND includes a glass of wine a day but limits pastries and sweets to less than five times a week.   The Mayo Clinic says study results also found you do not have to strictly follow the diet to gain benefits.  For example, “adults in the study who followed the diet most closely (an average score of 9.6 points out of 15) saw the biggest drop in their Alzheimer's risk, the ones who scored in the middle (7.5 points) still cut their risk by over a third.” 

At MorningStar’s Casa Sandoval senior living community, our many services and amenities include 5-Star dining.  Our delicious meals are prepared largely from scratch and include the freshest, healthiest ingredients.  In addition, our nutritional choices include low sodium, sugar free, no sugar added, vegetarian and low fat for residents to self-manage. We offer 233 bright suites for independent living, assisted living and respite care (short recuperative stays).  Please visit our website to see what sets our community apart from other senior living Hayward offers and why our residents are happy to call Casa Sandoval “home.”

MorningStar’s Casa Sandoval provides the very best in independent and assisted living with our distinct mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest.  Our foundation is built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and hiring staff with a felt calling to serve.  We are a true home for residents within a peaceful setting; and encourage you to contact us to learn more about the finest senior living Hayward, CA has to offer.

Source: mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/alzheimers-disease/in-depth/15-simple-diet-tweaks-cut-alzheimers-risk/art-20342112

Commonsense Tips to Help Prevent Falls

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that each year, one out of every five Americans aged 65 years and older has a fall that results in broken bones or a head injury.  However medical professionals say while it is important for seniors to take precautions to prevent falls as injuries can be serious, they also remind us that regardless of how old we are, it is beneficial for our overall health to keep moving.  Experts explain that failing to engage in “mild exercise on a regular basis results in reduced muscle strength, decreased bone mass, loss of balance and coordination, and reduced flexibility.”

They go on to say that despite commonly held beliefs, falls are not a normal part of aging and there are things you can do to help keep you on your feet and mitigate the risk of a fall.  Their first advice is to talk to your doctor about your risk and prevention.  Tell them if you have fallen and discuss your medications to see if side effects include dizziness or sleepiness that could contribute to falls.  Other issues that may increase your risk include poor eyesight and chronic diseases such as Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and arthritis or numbness in the feet.  If you often feel dizzy or lightheaded upon standing or suddenly sitting up, ask if you might have postural hypotension, and find out how you can alleviate the symptoms.    

Further tips to reduce your risk include having your eyes checked annually and updating your glasses when needed.  In addition talk to your doctor about the best footwear for inside the house as well as outside.  Check your home for trip hazards (the CDC has a list of tips) and install grab bars in the bathroom.  Finally ask your doctor about exercises to strengthen your leg muscles as well as balance-training exercises to improve balance.   

If you are looking for the finest independent living or assisted living Hayward offers, check out MorningStar’s Casa Sandoval.  As a true home, we offer privacy, comfort, and security to graciously meet the needs of our remarkable residents.  Our gorgeous community has 233 private suites in a range of floor plans including alcove, studio, and one and two-bedroom apartments.  Visit our website for more info and availability and pricing.  As a new resident, you will have priority access to the COVID vaccine.

MorningStar’s Casa Sandoval unique mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest” sets us apart from other senior living options.  Our foundation is built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and hiring staff with a felt calling to serve.  We are set in a warm, loving environment with exceptional architecture and resort-style amenities.  Please visit our website to learn more about trusted, affordable senior living in Hayward.  

Source:  

cdc.gov/injury/features/older-adult-falls/index.html#:~:text=About%2036%20million%20older%20adults,bones%20or%20a%20head%20injury.

agingcare.com/articles/falls-in-elderly-people-133953.htm