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As we are caring for our parents, grandparents etc who have dementia Alzheimer's is anyone concerned for themselves and their future? Is it hereditary? Every time I forget a name I become more and more concerned. Is anyone trying to do certain things to prevent it?

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I don't worry too much when I forget a name of a student or a word when putting together a sentence because I've always forgotten those kinds of things. I hang onto to the idea that our memories get worse as we age, but our imaginations get better. I don't know if that is scientifically proven, but as an artist I like to think it is true. And I read about what activities will help my memory and try include them in my daily life. Other than that, if I inherit Alzheimer's, there's not much I can do about it. My husband, though, does worry every time he forgets something or puts the groceries away in wrong places or makes a mistake at work. I doubt the stress of worry helps him.
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Val
I had this exact discussion with my DIL last yesterday! She's a Dr., so supposedly knows a lot--well, she knows a lot about anesthesiology, but not geriatric stuff!

Some things are hereditary and/or genetic. Some are random. I don't think there's one consensus on the mental decline thing. Why are some folks checked out at 50 and some are sharp as tacks into their 90's?

I'll read an article about this and then seems the next day I am reading something to totally refute what I just read.

I am personally terrified of Alz, Dementia and Parkinson's. Just---ridiculously scared.

I see my MIL and my mother, who are both 89 and just pretty checked out. I don't want to live any kind of life like they have. Nothing but one outing a week and endless loops of the HallMark channel. nobody really goes to see them, they've cut so many people out of their lives---is that going to be me??

You're going to laugh at this, but I read this tip and it works (I am the biggest skeptic in the world).

When you can't remember a name or title or something..take a few seconds and clench your fist really hard. Let it go and the word or whatever will pop into your mind in a minute. Seriously-so weird, yet it works.

Doubt this is staving off the inevitable decline, but it works for me. (And it's mostly good for things from our memory banks, not something really recent)


Worth a try!
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Yes. I work on living a good lifestyle as I believe that is the biggest factor in staying healthy, I am 81 and in decent health. Mother passed in December aged 106. She and my father both had vascular dementia, so I watch my blood pressure.

Eat good fresh food with little processed, exercise/keep moving which may be as little as 15-20 mins walking a day but it all counts. Keep stress down which isn't easy at times, but music and creative activities help as well as good reading material, and of course, for me, faith. Use your mind for things like crossword puzzles, and computer games as well as good conversation. Get enough sleep and relaxation time. Do something different once in a while like taking a trip. I am an introvert so am not great on social activities, but do get out with dd and grandkids once in a while. I work at being friendly with the delivery people, store clerks etc. for some social interaction,

Am I afraid of getting dementia? No. The best I can do is work on my lifestyle and I am doing what I can, not perfectly at all, but as I am able. Be sure you do and have things you enjoy. Value and look after yourself. Caregiving is extremely stressful.
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I don't think Dementia is hereditary. That comes from other factors. Smoking, drinking, head injury, previous mental illness, etc.

Alzheimers is hereditary. My grandmother, her sister, sisters daughter, my Aunt and Uncle out of 8 children. Some of the children died before 70 so not sure if they would have had it.
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I try not to worry. All I can do is try to keep my health as good as possible, eat right, get regular medical care, treat conditions that are treatable and enjoy life. I pray a lot and try to help others. Whether I ever have cognitive decline is really not something that I have control over. But, if I do, I probably won't believe it and if I do believe it, I won't be be sad long, because I will forget it. So, I'm trying to look on the bright side. lol
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