is good to laugh’

Event organiser for MacDonagh Junction Dominique Dumez said “ e initiative marks the birth of a brand-new mall playlist which consists of original music, all by local artists from Carlow and Kilkenny and selected by MacDonagh Junction and KCLR. It will assist the public in becoming familiar with the artists and their music and may lead to more gigs and live events down the road.”

Centre Manager, Marion Acreman said “the event and the ongoing initiative was created with heart and soul and we had so much positivity from all that were in attendance. e music was exceptional and so enjoyable. It is great to be back to creating days like these, which underpin our pride in the Centre and our City.” www.macdonaghjunction.com

Love Music; Love Local Talent!

#musiconthemall

Now I was sitting, looking at the Laptop screen. I was trying to come up with a piece for this week’s Seniors Column. My mind was as blank as a contestant with Terry Wogan and his magical fairy wand on Blankety Blank, and Blankety Blank I was. I was having a Senior’s Moment, I was informed. Well that started the rusty, but still operating, cogs of my inner mind to slowly kick into gear. It made me think.

Is it only our generation that has a ‘Moment’? When our Young Kids are separated from their parents and cannot remember where they are, Is that a Kid’s ‘Moment’? When our teenagers forget to come home on time, or stay out all night, is that a Teenager’s ‘Moment ? well that could be more alco- hol induced memory loss

Now when we reach our middle age of our life and have a few children of our own. If we forget to collect them for the match or school, or even forget if we have any, Is that a Middle ager’s ‘Moment?

And to ourselves. “Where’s the car keys” he said “Sure they were there 5 minutes ago” And that is the start of it! “Ah I think daddy is going a bit doddery” and we a ick of their thumb and blink of an eye, a now Daddy is an award of the court and needs permission to spend his own fecking pension. Yes, we have all heard those harrowing stories.

But all joking aside as we age our body and mind age too. Sometimes some parts more that others. We all don’t want to talk about it but we should before it is too late and we can’t even think about it. Alzheimer’s disease.

Alzheimer’s disease is a brain disorder that gets worse over time. It is characterized by changes in the brain that lead to deposits of certain proteins. Alzheimer’s disease causes the brain to shrink and brain cells to eventually die. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia — a gradual decline in memory, thinking, behaviour and social skills. ese changes a ect a person’s ability to function. e early signs of the disease include forgetting recent events or conversations. Over time, it progresses to serious memory problems and loss of the ability to perform everyday tasks.

Medicines may improve or slow the progression of symptoms. Programmes and services can help support people with the disease and their caregivers. ere is no treatment that cures Alzheimer’s disease. In advanced stages, severe loss of brain function can cause dehydration, malnutrition or infection. ese complications can result in death.

Now the above paragraph is like the TV add where the girl is calling out “bah Boom” as if every time we forget something, we are getting Alzheimer’s. Well if that’s the case I am way pass my bed time for the nursing home, which is where my daughter said she was going to put me when I asked her if she was going to look after me in my auld age? Yes, she replied I’ll put you in a nice Nursing home! granted she was only 8 at the time and now she is a fully-grown woman I hope she is having a re think. But, I sometimes start a conversation and then get a brain freeze and can’t remember what we are talking about! I have often asked my kids to pass the spoon and it is the salt I am looking for! Driving Home last weekend, I missed my turn, and ended up heading to the Motorway! Now it is bad if you do it once but I managed to do twice! Was when I went to write this article Alzheimer’s or writers block. ?

Incidents like above can occur because you are tired, or just too many things going on in our minds at the one time, not Alzheimer’s but brain overload.

If you are worried about your memory loss, don’t panic, go to your GP and he/ she, if necessary, will recommend where to go next like Alzheimer Ireland National Helpline 1800-341-341

In closing though, when I get these brain overloads it does create some hilarious moments. I just tell them “It’s the Mad Cow I have, but don’t worry, I am too old to procreate! Otherwise we might have Mad Calves running around” It is good to Laugh