Wellness

[hckynut]

@White Picket Fence

Giving it some careful thought is understandable for sure to me. Worrying is a completely different animal. It solves nothing, but it does take away from a person living their life.

Knowledge is power and the more you can find about this terrible disease, the more power you will have for yourself. Keep your brain highly functioning by doing and/or learning different things, especially ones that test your reflex time from your brain to actual movement.

The better your physical and mental state the more is working in your favor. I've said many times on this forum, my motto is "a day at a time". Concern yourself more with things you can control, and minimal amount on things you cannot.

I believe there are few people that do not have a genetic predisposition to some type of disease, mine happens to Coronary Disease. That however does not mean my end will come from that disease, even though i have had 2 heart attacks.

Live your life thinking only optimistically and that can certainly make aging a more pleasant and happy experience for you, and all your loved ones.

hckynut(john)

[Moonchilde]

@White Picket Fence, the disease was in my stepfather's family. My stepfather and his sister viewed their father's decline and passing with sadness, but with no connection to themselves. He passed when they were in their late 30s/early 40s. At that time, 'Alzheimers' as a specific disease and type of dementia hadn't been described in detail in the mainstream, though doctors knew of it. Certainly, few people knew then that it was hereditary; perhaps only physicians.

Consequently, neither my stepfather nor his sister had any fears it would necessarily happen to them. Both of them developed, and died of, the disease, but it also took both of them unaware. My cousin has not developed the disease. My stepfather began showing symptoms in his mid 40s.

I guess my point is that not knowing the odds is probably  better than knowing, as far as piece of mind and worry, and the fact that you've reached the age you have without (apparently) symptoms bodes better for your outcome. You're worried, you're *thinking* about it. If you were getting it, you might not be thinking about it so much. I know I'm not expressing that as well as I might, but the gist is - I don't blame you for thinking about it and being worried, but you've made it this far, so enjoy your life day by day and don't let the "what if" fear rule the rest of your life.

[circles]

My DIL;s mom had it...it was sad to see her decline...she was so active with the women in her over 55 community...traveling...bowling...etc...she was such a lovely person...she died a month short of her 74th birthday...

Her daughter now takes some kind of pill to help ward it off for herself...I don't know the name...sorry...

I try to keep my mind alert doing crossword puzzles and playing solitaire...not sure if it will work...but I am hoping...we don't have this desease in our family...but we never know what can happen..

[wonderfulworld]

I agree with the poster who said 'have a plan'. It will give you peace of mind. Live your life in such a way as to reduce your risk and purchase LongTerm Health Insurance.

My mother had it and when she did develop dementia she was able to stay in a lovely assisted living facility until her death.

I have purchased a policy, too. It i important to purchase it when you are still relatively healthy..we were around 60.

[Gooday]

I have posted this before: my mom was diagnosed at 71 but had it a few years earlier. However, she was misdiagnosed with depression.
She was a very physically healthy woman. Her grandfather had dementia.
My mom also had Parkinson's and passed away 2 weeks after her 75th birthday.
Her parents died 5 days apart, one from cancer and my grandmother from a thoracic aneurysm at 64 and 61 years of age.
My dad is nearly 88 and sharp as a tack.
I truly don't think about it much. Besides, I can't change my time or cause of death.

[MomCat]

I had to walk this Alzheimer path with my dad.  At one time he was a healthy smart man.  I watched with sadness as I witnessed his very lengthy goodbye.  I went to numerous seminars and learned as much as I could about this disease so I could be his voice and help him on this depressing journey.  I totally agree with those here that are saying to stop the worry and live your life.  Yes, be prepared for what life might throw your way by making some arrangements.  Then, just file that with your other important papers and go on vacation.  Yay!

[Imadickens]

It's in my family, too! My first grandfather had it in the sixties when it was called senility! I worry a lot as I have trouble finding words quite often. There are other things that might be causing it, but it's hard not to worry! I asked my primary doc to do the test for it but he strongly advised against it.