June is Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month.

June is

Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month

This disease destroys nerve cells and tissue in the brain, impairing a person’s ability to remember, think, and plan. The brain shrinks rapidly as the disease progresses due to cell death. People lose the ability to talk, remember family and friends, and care about themselves. Alzheimer’s disease, the most prevalent type of dementia, is one of the country’s most serious public health problems. It is the only one of the top ten causes of death in the United States that cannot be avoided, treated, or even slowed.

Alzheimer’s and other dementias affect 47 million people worldwide, and if nothing changes, this figure is projected to rise to 76 million by 2030. However, everybody should contribute to putting an end to this epidemic. The Alzheimer’s Association celebrates Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month in June as an opportunity to raise awareness and combat this global epidemic.

10 WAYS TO LOVE YOUR BRAIN

People may reduce their risk of cognitive impairment, according to growing evidence. The Alzheimer’s Association and its experts have produced a list of 10 Ways to Love Your Brain – tips that can help minimize the risk of cognitive decline:

1. Break a sweat: Regular cardiovascular exercise raises your heart rate and improves blood flow to your body and brain. Several studies have discovered a link between physical activity and a lower risk of cognitive decline.

2. Go over your books:

Formal education will help reduce your risk of cognitive impairment and dementia at any age. Take a class at a nearby college, community center, or online, for instance.

3. Butt your cigarette out:

There is evidence that smoking raises the likelihood of cognitive impairment.

Quitting smoking will reduce the risk to levels comparable to nonsmokers. 4. Follow your heart: Obesity, high blood pressure, and diabetes are all risk factors for cardiovascular disease and stroke, and they all have a detrimental effect on your

cognitive health. If you take care of your heart, your brain will follow. 5. Heads-up! - A brain injury will increase the chances of developing cognitive impairment and dementia.

Wear a seat belt, wear a helmet while riding a bike or contact sports, and avoid falls.

6. Keep the fuel upright:

To help reduce the risk of cognitive loss, eat a safe and balanced diet high in vegetables and fruits and low in fat. 7. Get some sleep: Insomnia or sleep apnea may cause memory and thoughts if you don’t get enough sleep.

8. Look after your mental

health: Some reports relate a history of depression to a higher risk of cognitive impairment, so seek medical attention if you are experiencing signs of

depression, anxiety, or other mental health issues. Often, make an effort to manage stress. 9. Make a friend: Maintaining social engagement can benefit brain health. Engage in social events that are important to you. Find ways to contribute to your community – if you like animals, try volunteering at a rescue shelter. Join a local choir or volunteer at an afterschool program if you enjoy singing. Alternatively, engage in sports with family and friends. 10.Brainstorm: Your mind should be challenged and activated. Build a piece of furniture. Put together a jigsaw puzzle. Make an artistic effort. Play games that need you to think creatively, such as a bridge. Challenging your mind can benefit your brain in both the short and long term.

In addition to lowering your risk of cognitive impairment, these tips can also lower your risk of dementia. The evidence for lowering the risk of dementia is currently strongest compared to formal education and preventing head injury; other tips can also help reduce the risk.

TAKE ACTION THROUGH VOLUNTEERING

The Alzheimer’s Association, which has 75 chapters, has many volunteer opportunities available if you have a couple of hours a week to spare or can make a substantial time commitment. Among the volunteer opportunities are:

Facilitator of a Support Group As a coordinator: You will lead monthly meetings in your group for adult children, family caregivers, spouses, or individuals living with dementia.

Educator in the community If public speaking is one of your strongest suits, you might want to consider a career as a community educator. These speakers aid in providing education and expanding the Alzheimer’s Association program’s scope. You must give at least 12 presentations per year.

In addition, volunteers are required for the organization’s annual activities, such as the Walk to End Alzheimer’s and The Longest Day.

CONCLUSION

Alzheimer’s disease often necessitates long-term treatment, and families are often burdened financially. There are many services available to assist families and caregivers in navigating these financial difficulties.

The Alzheimer’s Association will help you find lowcost or no-cost community support programs such as support groups, respite care, transportation, and homedelivered meals.

Living a balanced lifestyle is also one of the easiest but most profound ways to honor people living with Alzheimer’s.

Home Ownership

by Eric Lawrence Frazier MBA

Home ownership brings stability to individuals and families who have never had a dwelling place that they could call their own. There is something special about owning real estate that is unlike anything else on earth you can own.

Real Estate you own is not like cars that decay over time and you have to replace them. Real Estate you own is not like clothes that go out of style and you have to buy new ones. Real Estate you own is not like expensive vacations or experiences that only last a moment in time. Real Estate you own is not like an apartment where the landlord may increase the rent until it’s no longer affordable. Real Estate you own is not like staying at your parents house where you know can’t stay forever.

Home ownership is the beginning of wealth that increases over time and becomes your estate & legacy Home ownership is the pride of a mother nurturer and the kitchen her domain Home ownership is the pride of a father provider and protector of his territory and family. Home ownership is the foundation of permanence and the place where life happens, birthdays celebrated, deaths mourned. Home ownership is the place you build memories that can never be taken from you. Memories etched in walls and concrete, experienced in rooms and floors, Memories living in trees and shrubs planted by your hand. Howe ownership is the manifestation of you - your style, your colors, your smell, your stuff, your junk, your memories, your yard and your spaces, your life.

It’s the height markers on your first child’s bedroom wall. It’s the hearts drawn in the concrete slabs when you pour your patio floor It’s the birthday parties, and anniversaries in the living room and kitchen. It’s the back yard barbecue with friends, neighbors and family contentions it’s the high school and college graduation, and wedding receptions Its’ the family nights and block parties and the fellowship of family connections

Home ownership

It’s more than real estate. Land, brick and mortar, wood frame construction and chicken wire. It’s more than money saved, gifts recieved and grants obtained It’s more than the debt you incur to buy it. It’s more than the payments you make to own it. It’s more than the appreciation that comes with keeping it over time. It’s memories, it’s family, and it’s life that can happen in one place Until you say it’s time to move.