You have heard the phrase, “If you don’t use it, you lose it.”
It’s 100 percent accurate when we are talking about our brains.
We take advantage of our brain’s amazing powers of memory and cognition
until we start to lose them, but there are simple things we can do to
keep our minds healthy.
Scientists researching Alzheimer’s disease have determined six steps
that will help us train our brains and avoid dementia. We strive to take
care of our bodies, and we use the same methods to take care of our brains.
- Get plenty of physical exercises.
- Eat healthily.
- Exercise your brain: Learn a new language, practice music, or take a different
route to the grocery store.
- Get plenty of sleep.
- Reduce stress.
- Get out! Being social helps our brains stay young and strong.
Hickory Public Library can help keep your brain active by offering a warm,
bright space for you to learn and meet new friends. The Library is a department
of the City of Hickory. Patrick Beaver Memorial and Ridgeview Branch Libraries
are open Monday – Thursday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Friday and Saturday
9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The library has several excellent books about dementia and aging. Here
are the ones I recommend:
- A Dignified Life: The Best Friends Approach to Alzheimer’s Care,
A Guide for Family Caregivers, by Virginia Bell, M.S.W and David Troxel, M.P.H.
- The Caregiving Zone: A Unique Guide to Facing the Realities of Ilness,
Aging, Dying and Death, by Peggy Flynn, M.A.
- Leaning Into Sharp Points: Practical Guidance and Nurturing Support for
Caregivers, by Stan Goldberg, Ph.D.
- The 36-Hour Day: A Family Guide to Caregiving for Persons with Alzheimer’s
Disease, Related Dementing Ilnesses, and Memory Loss in Later Life, by
Nancy L. Mace and Peter V. Rabins
For seniors who can no longer drive and rely on others for transportation,
home delivery is an option for those who qualify, and soon we will need
volunteers for this service. For more information about the senior outreach
program or volunteering, please contact Tamara Kraus at the Hickory Public
Library by calling 828-261-2267 or email
tkraus@hickorync.gov.