SPECIAL SECTION: HEALTHY LIVING
Brain Games
As you age, your brain continually changes. Maintaining a healthy
lifestyle is important to your body and your mind. Just like it is
important to exercise daily to keep your body in shape, it is equally as
important to exercise your brain. Memory loss doesn’t occur simply
due to aging, but because of brain injury, illness or disorders. Many of
these issues are due to unhealthy habits or poor lifestyle choices that
could be otherwise avoided.
Dementia is one of the most common categories of brain diseases.
A common misconception is that dementia is actually a disease,
but it is not. Dementia is a term that defines a decline in mental
ability severe enough to interfere with daily life including impaired
memory, communication and language, ability to focus, reasoning and
judgment, and visual perception. At least two of the aforementioned
symptoms must be severely impaired to indicate signs of dementia.
Usually the signs and symptoms of dementia are progressive and get
worse over time. If caught early by a healthcare professional, some
symptoms can be treated. One of the most common types of dementia
is Alzheimer’s disease.
Alzheimer’s accounts for 60 to 80 percent of all dementia cases. It
causes severe problems with daily tasks that involve memory, thinking
and behavior. It is not a normal part of aging, but the greatest known
risk factor is increasing age, as the disease is progressive. While it is
most common in people over the age of 65, younger-onset Alzheimer’s
is found in five percent of people as young as their 40s.
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, evidence shows that
incorporating the following habits will keep you fit both physically and
mentally:
Heart Health – Obesity, high blood pressure and diabetes—all
risk factors for cardiovascular disease—negatively impact your
cognitive health. Cardiovascular activity increases blood flow to
the brain and body, reducing the risk of cognitive decline.
u Helmet Up! – Brain injury is one of the leading causes of
dementia and cognitive decline. Play it smart and always wear a
helmet to protect from brain injury.
u Sleep Tight – Have you ever stayed up late, only to find you’re
forgetful and mentally lethargic the next day? Not getting enough
sleep can result in lower brain function, affecting memory and
thinking.
u Be a Social Butterfly – Staying active with friends and loved
ones may support brain health as well. A recent study from
the Women’s Healthy Aging Project found that babysitting
grandchildren could lower the risk of Alzheimer’s.
u
NEW YEAR
NEW YOU
NEW US
You are invited
to join us for our
Grand Re-Opening
January 28, 2017
11AM-4PM
LET US SHOW YOU THE NEW US
AND A POTENTIAL NEW YOU.
ROSE E. SCHNEIDER FAMILY YMCA
2001 Ehrman Rd., Cranberry Twp., PA 16066
724.452.9122 • www.bcfymca.org
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