Community Chat

[Pook]

Probably nothing will help prevent Alzheimer's as far as keeping the mind active but it is very important to do things to keep your mind active to prevent different types of mind problems and dementia as we age. I also like Luminosity as it helps you in areas where you are weak. There definitely is a difference between people who have active minds and those who stagnate. It's the old "use it or loose it"!! I have found that many of my friends/acquaintances around my age who do very little reading, and things to improve the mind have turned dull witted and unable to maintain much of a stimulating conversation. Then there are so many way older that have not let their minds deteriorate and are sharp as a tack. They are ones who do crossword puzzles, play mind stimulating games and also work on physical dexterity. With some diseases there is probably not much you can do about it but there is also letting your mind age which you can control.

[momma3gs]

I watch The Real Housewives of New Jersey.

[wildcherry]

I come to this forum.

[brewhaha]

Getting stopped for DUI. I have to count backwards and recite the alphabet backwards.

[blackhole99]

I'm learning Spanish online.

[VanSleepy]

I don't know if it is keeping my mind sharp, but I do crosswords, cryptograms, word games, Sudoku, and Kakuro every day. And I have to count on my fingers for Kakuro, so maybe it's not working.

[sidsmom]

I might not know all the Presidents, but I can name all the Kardashians...

[jlkz]

I do the often recommended: crossword puzzles in ink ( am a perfectionist so I try a lot of surrounding words in order to keep the puzzle box clean ), solitaire timed, read at least one novel a week, and the daily news. Hopefully because I studied several language in school, I'm starting out with extra brain cells ( that's the current thinking ). Sometimes in conversation, neither the other person nor myself can recall a name. What always impresses me is that whatever word or name comes to my mind, later the correct name pops into my mind. It is usually close to the final name, e.g. Who was the Irish TV political journalist who recently died? I knew he had written a book to honor his dad, Big Red, and the word " rust " kept coming to my mind. An hour later, I said " Tim Russert ". The mind is fascinating in how it opens the memory drawers to get to the final answer ! ! !

[lulu2]

11 years ago I had a stroke and lost my memory. I had partial paralysis on the right side of my body. I've had extensive physical and cognitive therapies.

One of the things I did (and still do) were jigsaw puzzles on line. Just manipulating the pieces with the mouse helps dexterity as well as hand eye coordination.

You do puzzles with different shapes and sizes. If you do enough of them, you will recognize patterns.

I find these puzzles help keep my mind sharp not to mention, they are fun to do.

JigZone is my favorite site.

I also do Sudoku every day.

[Irshgrl31201]

I think physical exercise and diet is important. I eat a diet really heavy in foods that contain antioxidants. Blueberries, pomegranate, artichokes, raspberries, cranberries, red and purple grapes, beans, nuts, blackberries and cherries. I eat more than my daily serving in fruits and veg. I eat this way not only for mental health but also for the health of my skin and body. Anitoxidants are especially important for people who have problems with their immune system like I do because of Crohns. I also drink MonaVie which is a drink that is heavy on antioxidants. It was recommended to me by my infectious disease doctor when I was having really bad problems after being on immunosuppressants. I also eat foods that are rich in omega 3 essential fatty acids. Gotta eat the "brain foods".

I had some problems with my memory when my Crohns was especially bad. I wasn't eating a lot at all because it was so painful. My intestines don't absorb vitamins and minerals like healthy intestines so it is important that when I can eat, I make sure I don't eat junk and eat the most nutritious and clean food I can.

While keeping your mind sharp by doing puzzles, playing games and reading won't stop you from getting Alzheimers but research does show that people who play games etc.. at least every other day performed better on tests of memory and other mental functions. MRI scans showed they had greater tissue mass in brain areas involved in memory.