Better Overall Health May Help to Reduce the Symptoms of Alzheimer’s

As some of the more severe symptoms of Alzheimer’s are now associated to poor overall health, researchers stress the importance of maintaining healthy habits to help reduce symptoms of the disease.  They say that care should include getting the proper exercise, and eating a healthy diet as well as identifying and managing other medical conditions. 

Studies show that “light exercise and walking appear to reduce wandering, aggression and agitation.”  Additionally getting the daily exercise appropriate to the person’s abilities also seems to help alleviate other problem behaviors. 

A person’s hearing and vision should be regularly tested and the appropriate steps taken to deal with any problems found.  They should also be routinely seen by their primary care physician along with visits to specialists to address specific needs.     

Eating problems are another common issue affecting those with Alzheimer’s and can put a person at risk for weight loss, dehydration and malnutrition.  For many the process of eating becomes more and more challenging, and they may no longer know how to use a fork or knife.  The progression of the disease can cause “nerve cell death that eventually steals the ability to recognize thirst or hunger.”

Located in Peoria, AZ, MorningStar at Golden Ridge offers independent and assisted living along with compassionate, professional memory care.  In our memory care Reflections Neighborhood, we understand that dining is as much about community as it is about nutrition, which is why our staff and residents eat together.  Also, out of respect for our residents’ sometimes compromised abilities at the table, we serve finger foods, texture-modified diets (mechanical soft and puréed, thickened liquids), and easy-to-recognize balanced meals that taste as good as they look.  Please visit our website to learn more about our beautiful, loving community that is a true home for our residents. 

At MorningStar at Golden Ridge, we represent the very best in senior living with a unique mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest.”  We have built a foundation on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve to create a true “home” for residents.  Please schedule a visit to experience firsthand our beautiful independent living, assisted living and memory care community.    

Source: alzinfo.org/articles/diet-exercise-health/