You remember I shared with you last week how I fell off the exercise bandwagon and I sought wearable technology with an app to help me get back into my 10,000 steps per day routine with my FitBit Band? Now, not even two weeks later, I misplaced the FitBit charger and my motivation has somewhat dwindled. Mostly, because I can’t imagine where I put this charger.
I attended my older brother’s 60th birthday over the Independence Holiday weekend. It wasn’t a problem to take a trip down Memory Lane reminiscing childhood memories about my brother. Then I heard a sobering statistic–Alzheimer signs and symptoms can start occurring as early age sixty. Is misplacing my FitBit charger an occasional memory lapse, just forgetfulness or is it something more serious? I am not trying to claim early onset of Alzheimer’s but It’s worth examining Alzheimer’s awareness even if not for ourselves but those older friend and relatives.
Let’s start with the definition of Alzheimer.
Alzheimer’s disease is a common type of dementia, or decline in intellectual function. Once thought rare, Alzheimer’s disease is now known to affect as many as 5.3 million people in the Inited States, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. It afflicts 10 percent of those over sixty-five and as many as 50 percent of those over eighty-five. However, the disease does not affect only the elderly, but may strike when a person is in his or her forties.
The disorder was first identified in 1906 by a German neurologist named Alois Alzheimer. It is characterized by progressive mental deterioration to such a degree that it interferes with one;s ability to function socially and at work Memory and abstract thought processes are impaired. Alzheimer’s disease is an irreversible, progressive disorder. As Alzheimer’s disease progresses, there is a severe memory loss, particularly in short-term memory.
It is my understanding that Alzheimer’s disease is not a normal part of aging, the following chart serves as a guide to “Reducing Your Risk for Alzheimer’s Disease”
Alzheimer’s Resources:
- National Institute of Health – National Institute on Aging: http://www.nia.nih.gov/alzheimers
- Alzheimer’s Association – Alz.org
- Mybrain.alz.org
- Brain Training Games – http://www.luminosity.com
Since Alzheimer’s disease is classified as a neurological disorder, it will be important to keep your brain busy which as the chart above suggests, keeping active and intellectually involved as well as plenty of exercise. I hope you find this information helpful for yourself or a loved one. FitBit or not, I will ride my stationery bike daily along while supplementing my weighted hula hoop so that I can continue to function clearly while strolling down Memory Lane for myself or others.
Love the article and brain diet. Can’t believe you misplaced the charger!
Cynthia,
Hi! Thanks for stopping by Age of Grace! I learned some useful information when doing my homework on Alzheimer’s disease that I hope is helpful to others as well. I am still looking for my original FitBit charger. I had to purchase another FitBit charger so not to thwart my exercise efforts.