living a brain healthy lifestyle

Living a Brain Healthy Lifestyle

Natalie McFarland, RN, BSNDementia Care Educator

Natalie has supervised the Alzheimer’s and Dementia related programming at Sycamore Village since 2004. She is a registered nurse and Sycamore’s on-site dementia care expert.

Natalie is “train-the-trainer” certified through the Alzheimer’s Association and The Best Friend’s Approach, providing continuous Alzheimer’s education to staff and families.

Natalie has presented at both the Illinois and Missouri Pioneer Coalition State Conferences, local Chamber of Commerce, hospitals, several healthcare facilities, and to the local community.

Natalie is featured quarterly on the Norm Greenberg Show through the local Charter Cable Network discussing a variety of dementia-related topics.

Overview of Dementia

• a broad term for any brain disorder that causes confusion, memory loss, personality changes, and mental decline

Overview of Dementia• Alzheimer’s Disease is a brain

disorder named for German physician Alois Alzheimer, who first described it in 1906.

• He presented the case of “Auguste”, a 51 year old woman.

Overview of Dementia• Is a progressive and fatal

brain disease• Causes plaques and tangles

in the brain that destroys brain cells

• Is the most common form of dementia

• Has no cure

10 Warning Signs1. Memory changes that disrupt daily life.2. Challenges in planning or solving problems.3. Difficulty completing familiar tasks at home, work, or leisure.4. Confusion with time or place.5. Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships.

10 Warning Signs6. New problems with words in speaking or writing.7. Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps.8. Decreased or poor judgment.9. Withdrawal from work or social activities.10. Changes in mood and personality.

Early Detection

Should I go to the doctor?

Keys to a Brain Healthy Lifestyle

Dr. Paul Nussbaum, PhD

Five Domains of the Brain Health Lifestyle

Nutrition

•Eat healthy•Eat less•Use utensils

Top 10 Brain Health Foods

• Leafy green vegetables• Fruits with antioxidants• Vegetables with antioxidants• Omega 3 fatty acid fish• Cacao Beans• Matcha• Acai berries• Coffee beans• Soy products• Whole Wheat

Socialization•Do not isolate•Build your networks•Develop hobbies

Spirituality•Pray•Meditate•Relax•Slow down

Mental Stimulation• Learn new things• Challenge yourself• Explore

Physical Activity

•Exercise•Garden•Dance

On Flickr by StevenM_61

How to Live a Brain Healthy Lifestyle

Snack on nuts and berries instead of a candy bar.


Love the crunch of croutons on your salad?


Sip red wine.


Replace candy with fruit.


Add cinnamon for a brainy breakfast.


Take a break from food.


Join a group.


Learn a new language.


Play board games


Have a chat.


Listen to the details.


Meditate and relax.


Get support for stressors.


mattressvancouver.files.wordpress.com

Take an afternoon catnap.


Have some scents.


Get some class.


When you look forward, also look around.


Leave your comfort zone.


Grab a video game joystick.


Turn up the tunes.


Switch hands.


Go for a walk.


http://3wheelcruiser.org.uk/baby-boomer/

Wear a helmet.


Bear some weight.


Shake your body.

Challenge Yourself at Every Opportunity

References• www.alz.org• www.alzprevention.org• www.empowher.com • http://bit.ly/hIEfUn• http://aarp.us/bKGSja

Contact Us•www.sycamorevillage.net•www.facebook.com/sycamorevillage•www.youtube.com/sycamorevillage•www.flickr.com/sycamorevillage•www.twitter.com/sycamorevillage

• Phone: 618-222-2571• Email: [email protected]

living a brain healthy lifestyle

Health & Medicine

variety of dementia

overview of dementia

natalie mcfarland

dementia related programming

local community

local chamber of commerce

local charter cable

alzheimers associationand