FAMILY CARE
2016
RESOURCE GUIDE
Signs seniors need help 3 Caregivers resource guide 5 Understanding autism 7 Support for new parents 12 How to stay mentally sharp 14
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TIPS FOR DE TER MINING W H E N A N E L D E R LY LOVED ONE NEEDS OUTSIDE HELP
BY K ANDACE POWER GR AVES
IT ISN’T ALWAYS EASY TO RECOGNIZE PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DECLINES IN ELDERLY LOVED ONES, and many seniors won’t bring them up for fear of losing their independence — or because they don’t recognize they’re in trouble. Madelynn Fellon, a referral specialist at Dependable Care Services, a caregiver referral business, says for many elderly people, everyday tasks such as grocery shopping, preparing food and personal hygiene become complex, sometimes dangerous ventures. “Getting food at the grocery store is really a daunting task if you think about it: driving to the store, gathering all the food, taking it out of the basket at the checkout, loading the bags into the car, unloading them at home, putting the food away and then preparing food. Just having someone there to do that for [them] ... prepare food and encourage them to eat ... makes a big difference.” Dependable Care and other businesses like it provide caregiv-
ers who come to a person’s home for two to 24 hours and help with whatever tasks are needed, such as bathing, dressing, food preparation, house cleaning, laundry, medication management and more. Fellon says some elderly people need companionship, a reliable person who will keep them company and take them places. “Loneliness is a big thing,” she says. “The thing [many of us] don’t realize is that as we get older, our friends start to pass away and you get lonely.” Caregivers can provide continuity and keep the family informed. “We have some clients who have been with their caregiver for years and years,” Fellon says. “Sometimes the caregiver becomes part of the family, especially if the kids don’t live in town. “We feel like any elderly person could potentially need help ... even if it’s just simple tasks like getting out of the shower [without falling] ... or getting dressed.”
• Balance issues: Do they lose their balance when you bearhug them? Do they have trouble getting up from a chair, walking steady on level ground or moving from place to place? • Behavior changes: lack of motivation, doesn’t return phone calls, becomes verbally or physically abusive
• Bruises could mean they have fallen • Burns on skin and burn marks on pots and pans signal cooking has become dangerous • Cannot recall names of familiar people or objects • Carpet stains from dropping and spilling
• Changes in mood/extreme mood swings • Confusion such as dressing inappropriately for the weather or occasion, having difficulty performing familiar tasks • Dents or scratches on car • Depressed temperament/ low energy • Dizziness • Forgetfulness; misses appointments and events • Frequently gets lost walking or driving in familiar areas • House has an odor or isn’t clean • House or yard needs maintenance • Impaired reasoning skills • Mail and papers go unopened and/or bills go unpaid
• Medication mistakes: forgets to take medication, takes the wrong dose or forgets to fill or refill prescriptions • Memory lapses • Poor hygiene • Quits hobbies and favorite activities • Reluctant to leave house • Sleeps long periods • Spoiled food or no food in the refrigerator; expired cans of food in the cupboard • Unable to complete a sentence • Urine odor (can be a sign of incontinence) • Weight loss
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Here are some tips for recognizing when an elder needs help provided by experts at Dependable Care, AARP, A Place for Mom and When Mom & Dad Need Help by Mike Campbell.
Check in with seniors to provide companionship and make sure everything is OK.
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Caregivers ADULT DAY CARE CENTERS
BENEFITS RESOURCES Crescent Care 3308 Tulane Ave., (504) 293-6863; www.crescentcarehealth.org
Senior Veterans Care Network (929) 367-8387; www.seniorveterans.care
CLEANING/ MAID SERVICES
Crescent City Cleaning (504) 339-7358; www.allclean4you.com Gail Stilwell Maids South shore: (504) 866-6243; Northshore: (985) 892-3326; www.cleaning-up.com Go Green Cleaners (504) 616-2288; www.gogreencleanersllc.com Jewish Family Service of Greater New Orleans Homemaker program (504) 831-8475, ext. 134; www.jfsneworleans.org/programs- services/ homemaker Maid In NOLA (504) 324-3959; www.maidinnola.com The Maids (504) 883-5000; www.maids.com Merry Maids (504) 459-9200; www.merrymaidsneworleans.com ServiceMaster Building Services (504) 362-4700; www.servicemasterbldgservices.com
FUNERAL PLANNING
Greenwood Cemetery & Mausoleum 5200 Canal Blvd., (504) 486-6591; www.greenwoodnola.com Jacob Schoen & Son Funeral Home 3827 Canal St., (504) 482-2111; www.schoenfh.com Rhodes Funeral Home 3933 Washington Ave., (504) 822-7162; www.rhodesfuneral.com
HOME REPAIRS/ HANDYMAN SERVICES
Lemi-Duit Property Maintenance (504) 535-7706; www.neworleansgeneralcontractor.com Mr. Fix It (504) 302-1436; www.mrfixitnola.com New Orleans Handyman (504) 358-0399; www.nohandyman.com NOLA Construction & Handyman (504) 473-7366; www.nolahandyman.info One Man And A Tool Box (504) 453-5055; www.onemanandatoolbox.org Repairs on Wheels (Volunteers of America) (985) 612-1067; www.voagno.org/ repairs-on-wheels
IN-HOME/MEDICAL SERVICES
Family Homecare 3636 S. I-10 Service Road, Suite 310, Metairie, (504) 835-0934; www.familyhomecare.net Gifted Healthcare 114 Northpark Blvd., Suite 4, Covington, (985) 809-0119; 2748 Metairie Lawn Drive, Suite B, Metairie, (504) 831-2123; www.giftedhealthcare.com Guardian Home Health Care of La. 3510 Causeway Blvd., Suite 501, Metairie, (504) 828-2294 Interim HealthCare 4317 El Dorado St., Metairie, (504) 8349000; www.interimhealthcare.com Nurses Registry 990 N. Corporate Drive, Suite 302, Harahan, (504) 736-0803; www.mynursesregistry.com Ochsner Home Health 100 Innwood Drive, Suite C, Covington, (985) 892-7627; 200 Lapalco Blvd., Gretna, 504-394-0102; 200 W. Esplanade Ave., Suite 601, Kenner, (504) 842-5585; www.ochsner.org/ services/home-health STAT Home Health 1707 Chantilly Drive, Suite A, LaPlace, (985) 652-8092; 824 Elmwood Park Blvd.,Suite 215, (504) 818-0422; 19500 Helenbirg Road, Suite C, Covington, (985) 646-0606; www.thecarpenterhealthnetwork.com Touro Home Health (504) 897-8576; www.touro.com/homehealth
IN-HOME PERSONAL CARE
Comfort Keepers 701 David Drive, Suite A-1, Metairie, (504) 731-6111; www.metairie-729.comfortkeepers.com Dependable Assisted Living in Your Home Southshore: 702 N. Carrollton Ave., (504) 486-5044; Northshore: (985) 6906353; www.dependablecare.net God’s Angels Sitting Services (504) 865-1575; www.godsangelssittingservices.com Home Care Solutions 3421 N. Causeway Blvd., Suite 502, Metairie, (504) 828-0900; www.homecareneworleans.com) Home Instead Senior Care (504) 455-4911; www.homeinstead.com Padua Community Services (504) 392-0502; www.ccano.org/padua Visiting Angels (504) 737-0522; www.visitingangels.com
INDEPENDENT AND ASSISTED LIVING COMMUNITIES
Ashton Manor 270 Ashton Plantation Blvd., Luling, (985) 785-8288; www.ashton-manor.com Beau Provence 100 Beau West Drive, Mandeville, (985) 778-0755; www.beauprovence.com Ferncrest Manor Living Center 14500 Hayne Blvd., (504) 246-1426; www.ferncrest.com Homelife in the Gardens 1101 Aline St., (504) 894-6100; www.homelifegardens.com The Landing at Behrman Place Retirement Community 3601 Behrman Place, (504) 208-5012; www.thelandingret.com Park Provence 1925 Possum Hollow Road, Slidell, (985) 781-0072; www.parkprovence.com Vista Shores 5958 St. Bernard Ave., (504) 288-3737; www.vistashores.com
SERVICES/SUPPLIES/ SPECIALTIES/
Canon Hospice/Akula Foundation 1221 S. Clearview Pkwy., (504) 818-2723; www.canonhospice.com Law Office Of Chip Forstall 320 N. Carrollton Ave., Suite 200., (504) 483-3400; www.chipforstall.com Louisiana Nursing Home Association (800) 256-1582; www.lnha.org NOLA Smiles Dental Solutions, Dr. Natalie Jackson, DDS 2633 Napoleon Ave., Suite 820, (504) 895-3580; www.nolasmiles.com Patio Drugs 5208 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, (504) 889-7070; www.patiodrugs.com Reliant Renal Care - Home Choice Dialysis 3409 Williams Blvd., Kenner, (504) 3051980; www.reliantrenalcare.com Retina Associates New Orleans 4224 Houma Blvd., Suite 160, Metairie, (504) 456-9061; www.retinaassociates.org Stephanie Hughes, MD, Board Certified Urologist 4224 Houma Blvd., Suite 260, Metairie, (504) 887-5555; 67186 Industry Lane, Suite B, Covington, (985) 892-8088; www.urologynola.com
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Abundant Life Adult Day Healthcare Center 5961 Bullard Ave., Suites 5 & 6, (504) 240-2900 Alzheimer’s Day Health Care West Jefferson Behavioral Center, 229 Bellemeade Blvd., Gretna, (504) 398-4336 Amazing Grace Adult Day Services 7041 Read Lane, (504) 241-2630 Contin-U-Care 315-317 N. Broad St., (504) 684-6039 Day Haven Adult Day Care 920 Fourth St., Gretna, (504) 361-1203; www.dayhaven.org Greenwalt Adult Day Healthcare Center For People With Alzheimer’s disease 1926 18th St., Kenner, (504) 461-5889; www.ccano.org The Guild at Raphael Village Day Program for Differently-abled Adults 500 Soraparu St., (504) 524-5955; www.raphaelacademy.org Hope Haven Adult Day Healthcare Center 1131 Barataria Blvd., Marrero, (504) 835-0006 JCC Mind Matters 5342 St. Charles Ave., (504) 897-0143; www.nojcc.org John J. Hainkel Jr. Adult Day Healthcare And Rehabilitation Center 612 Henry Clay Ave., (504) 896-5900; www.hainkelhome.com Kingsley House Adult Services 1600 Constance St., (504) 523-6221; www.kingsleyhouse.org Lakeview Shepherd Center 316 38th St., (504) 484-0885; www.facebook.com/lakeviewshepherdcenter Mercy Endeavors Senior Center and Nutrition Classes 1017 St. Andrews St., (504) 568-0607; www.mercyendeavors.com New Directions Adult Day Healthcare Center 1523 N. Dorgenois St., (504) 943-9418; www.ccano.org PACE Greater New Orleans Shirley Landry Benson Center, 4201 N. Rampart St., (504) 945-1531; www.pacegno.org Slidell Adult Day Health Care 2768 Sgt. Alfred Drive, Slidell, (985) 643-1112; www.slidelladultdaycare.com
Resource Guide
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Putting Together
The Pieces these milestone things that [the healthcare professionals] were looking for,” DelHomme says. If a baby does not babble, coo or gesture by 12 months, say single words by 16 months or two-word phrases by 24 months, or if there is a loss of language or social skills at any point, he or she should be evaluated by a doctor. Early diagnosis is key. “As we are progressing toward [viewing] autism spectrum disorder as a learning disability, it is important to remediate those functional deficits as soon as possible,” says Pat Blackwell, a developmental psychologist. “Otherwise, the child will not have the skills needed for play, school, or social interaction … to not remediate will further impair those abilities.” When a parent or caregiver suspects an intellectual delay, the first step is to consult a pediatrician, who may refer the individual to a doctor or psychologist specializing in developmental pediatrics. A team of specialized therapists will begin a battery of diagnostic tests to determine whether the child is on the spectrum. These evaluations are performed at diagnostic centers; however, they often have long waiting lists. Private options are available, but these psychologists sometimes do not accept insurance. Insurance policies may not cover private testing, or caregivers may be responsible for submitting medical claims. Faced with a six-month waiting period, DelHomme chose to enlist a private evaluation service despite the cost. “By the time [caregivers] get to that point, they don’t want to wait six months — their child is in crisis already,” DelHomme says. After an autism diagnosis,
BY K ATHERINE M . JOHNSON
Art therapist Kate Lacour works with Oliver Sobrino on a costume for Stomp Troopers at NOLArts Learning Center.
the referrals to specialized therapy programs begin. Most doctors recommend an occupational therapy program. “The most common concern is the child regulating themselves: task management, being able to tolerate being in their environment, and sensory sensitivity and how they’re responding to stimuli,” says Sharon Crane, a licensed occupational therapist and co-owner of Crane Rehab Center. She stresses the need to continually integrate the suggested therapies into the child’s day — not only during the designated therapy time. If the skills are “compartmentalized” into only the hour or two devoted to therapy, the child will never generalize those skills. “We go through the activities of the day and give suggestions on how to perform these routines in a way that includes the therapeutic activities,” she says. Kate Lacour, a licensed art ther-
apist and co-founder of NOLArts Learning Center, suggested supplementing the multidisciplinary therapies that treat ASD with creative expression. “Creative, social, community and academic interventions are not alternatives to medication and [therapies such as] applied behavior analysis (ABA), but complements,” Lacour says. “Playing music in a public youth jazz venue, painting a mural with peers, baking in a youth cooking class — these represent chances to generalize skills … like ‘tolerating waiting without whining.’” As Sarah Ambrose, music educator and co-founder of NOLArts has observed, creative expression is just as essential for kids on the spectrum as for neurotypical children. “[Art is] that big thing in our lives that sparks joy,” Ambrose says. “[It’s] what’s missing from PAGE 9
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IT BEGAN WITH REPEATED EAR INFECTIONS. Christine DelHomme, a New Orleans resident and mother of three, recalls the chain of events that led to her daughter Catherine’s autism diagnosis. Catherine suffered several inner ear infections and a loss of verbalization, which seemed to be a product of diminished hearing capacity. “There was a lot of grunting and a lot of groaning, a lot of pointing,” DelHomme says. But her daughter’s attempts at speech stopped. A pediatrician suggested DelHomme seek specialists to test Catherine’s speech and hearing. When the audiologist said it was so precise Catherine could “hear a feather fall on the floor,” DelHomme realized that the issue was not physical. After four months of testing, Catherine was diagnosed with autism in 2003, at age 2. Autistic disorder, Asperger’s syndrome and pervasive developmental disorder all fall under one umbrella diagnosis: autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Its growth is undeniable: the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report that as of 2012, one in every 68 children born in the U.S. was diagnosed with the disorder (up from 1 in 150 in 2000). Doctors aren’t sure if there are more ASD diagnoses due to increased awareness and streamlined testing tools or whether the disorder is appearing more often. People with autism are often diagnosed with co-morbidities (related conditions), such as mood, anxiety or sensory processing disorder or language processing delay. These manifest during the early phases of cognitive development, but parents aren’t always aware of the warning signs. “As a young parent, I guess I really didn’t understand what were
LOC AL RESOURCES M AKE AUTISM N AVIG A BLE .
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your average day of therapy. [Art is] the everything else. And every human deserves the everything else.” After years of consistent multidisciplinary treatments such as ABA, art therapy, specialized ballet lessons, OT and speech therapy, not to mention parental and community involvement, DelHomme sees Catherine’s social connections and academic success as indicators of her progress. At age 15, Catherine is an honor roll student and performs in her dance school’s annual recital. DelHomme offers simple words of encouragement to families like hers: “It gets better.” There are many local resources for individuals and families in New Orleans to ease the transition from diagnosis to treatment. DelHomme urges caregivers to remember they are their child’s biggest advocate. “If you’re not happy with the [professional] you’re working with, change,” she says. “Find somebody that fits your child’s needs.”
A Helping
Hand
RESOURCES TO HELP F A M I L I E S N A V I G AT E AUTISM’S CHALLENGES.
BY K ATHERINE M . JOHNSON
The autism spectrum is broad, and for individuals with the most severe cases, some of these resources may not be applicable. Below are a few notable services.
Online resources Autism Society of Greater New Orleans (ASGNO) (504-464-5733; www.asgno.org) ASGNO’s website contains an extensive list of local, state and national resources.
Autism Speaks (www.autismspeaks.org/early-access-care/first-concern-action) Autism Speaks offers the First Concern to Action Tool Kit for families of children exhibiting signs of developmental delay. Children’s Hospital Regional Autism Resource Guide (www.chnola.org/autismresources) This resource guide for Louisianans includes a list of specialized schools. The Autism Society (www.autism-society.org)
This national database of information contains some local resource catalogs.
Diagnosis Tulane Center for Autism and Related Disorders (131 S. Robertson St., 504-988-3533; www2.tulane.edu/som/tcard) Comprehensive diagnostic services for children with suspected intellectual disabilities. Autism Center at Children’s Hospital (Calhoun Campus, 1040 Calhoun St., 504-896-7272; www. chnola.org/autism) Three-week sessions of classes help caregivers support a child with ASD.. Pelts, Kirkhart and Associates (1539 Jackson Ave., Suite 300, 504-581-3933; www.pkmandassociates.com) Private evaluations. Family Behavioral Health Center (145 Robert E. Lee PAGE 11
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G A M B I T ’ S F A M I LY C A R E G U I D E • 2 0 1 6
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AN ADULT DAY PROGRAM FOR DIFFERENTLY-ABLED PEOPLE 18 YEARS OF AGE & OLDER
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Blvd., Suite 300, 504-309-4924; www.familybehavioralhealthcenter.com) Private evaluations.
Early intervention The Louisiana Office for Citizens with Developmental Disabilities (OCDD) (504-595-3408; www.dhh.louisiana.gov) OCDD is the leading government agency for services available to individuals with ASD. Crane Rehab Center, LLC (8300 Earhart Blvd., Suite 100, 504-866-6990; www.cranerehab.com) Comprehensive pediatric therapies for writing, social skills, feeding intervention, speech remediation and sensory integration, among others.
School 504 Plan or Individualized Education Plan (IEP) (www.doa.la.gov). Sets goals for students to show
evidence that the accommodations are helping them succeed. Connections Academy (www.connectionsacademy.com) Online, tuition-free, fully accredited school for pre-k through 12th graders.
Behavior and symptom maintenance Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) (www.bacb.com) Behavior modification therapy focuses on eradicating inappropriate behaviors and replacing them with positive behaviors.
Recreation NOLArts Learning Center (1215 Prytania St., Suite 424, 914844-5053; www.nolartslearningcenter.com) After-school and weekend programs stimulate the creativity of kids with special needs. Elmwood Palace 20 (1200 Elmwood Park Blvd., Hara-
han, 504-733-2029; www.amctheatres.com) Elmwood Palace 20 offers sensory-friendly films sponsored by the Autism Society of Greater New Orleans. Miracle League of Greater New Orleans (www.gnomiracleleague.com) Miracle League is a volunteer-run athletics club for children with special needs. It offers baseball, basketball and soccer annually for $10 per season. The Studio School of Dance (3225 Danny Park, Suite 201, Metairie, 504-941-7345; www.thestudionola.com/twinkle-toes) Studio School of Dance offers a weekly ballet class for children with physical or developmental disabilities. Classes begin Monday, Sept. 19. Celebrity Cruises; Royal Caribbean International Cruise Line (www.royalcaribbean.com; www. celebritycruises.com) These lines offer cruises for families with special needs children.
Support groups Families Helping Families of Southeast Louisiana (201 Evans Road, Building 1, Suite 100, Harahan, 504-8889111; www.fhfjefferson.org; 7240 Crowder Blvd., Suite 200, 504-9430343; www.fhfsela.org) This nonprofit group serves Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard and Jefferson parishes.
Financial assistance Flexible Family Funds (Metropolitan Human Services District, 1010 Common St., Suite 600, 504-599-0245) The Office for Citizens with Developmental Disabilities supplies stipends for families of children with severe developmental disabilities. Autism Support Network (www.autismsupportnetwork. com/resources/autism-grantsUnited-States) This national nonprofit offers grants to support families of children with autism.
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Bye Bye,
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Baby Blues
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AFTER NINE LONG MONTHS, YOUR LITTLE ONE HAS FINALLY arrived. As any mother can attest, the following weeks are filled with moments of bliss — swaddling the baby’s tiny body into a soft blanket, smelling their sweet newborn scent, gazing at that angelic, sleeping face … and, those feet. But this joyful time can also be chaotic and confusing, with a new mom feeling as though she’s been thrust into survival mode. The baby won’t stop crying; attempts at nursing have faltered; and a peaceful slumber now seems inconceivable. Fortunately, local support is available. It comes in the form of parenting classes, support groups and baby-friendly fitness sessions that build meaningful companionships. “Postpartum depression is clinically referred to as perinatal mood and anxiety disorders,” says Amanda Devereux, founder of Nola Nesting. She says 20 percent of women experience a perinatal mood and anxiety disorder, and many exhibit the symptoms during pregnancy. The doulas at Nola Nesting guide new and expecting mothers in a number of ways. They teach coping skills and give advice on how to soothe and feed newborns, while fostering emotional recovery. “What a doula can do is help a mom identify risk factors when she’s pregnant,” Devereux says. “If she’s not already working with a therapist, and she ends up having difficulty postpartum, then that’s another relationship that she has to build, and it can be a lot more difficult to reach out.” Devereux also is an internationally board certified lactation consultant, which she describes
RESOURCES FOR NEW MOMS WHO NEED A HELPING HAND BY SUZ A NNE PFEFFERLE TA FUR
KINDRED features a bright and airy playroom next to fitness studios. PHOTO BY RANDY SCHMIDT PHOTOGRAPHY
as “the gold standard of lactation certification.” She can help mothers establish successful breastfeeding routines with their infants. Postpartum doulas may work with new mothers for as long as six months. They meet with the entire family and determine the different ways they can assist, from preparing meals and tidying the house to spending time with
the siblings and allowing the busy mom a moment to take a much-needed nap. Devereux knows the first few months after the delivery are hectic, but that’s temporary. “It’s almost like you’re surviving day to day,” she says. “Then all of the sudden you have a threemonth old, and the world shifts. Your baby is smiling at you and laughing. It’s not that it’s not
challenging anymore. Parenting is challenging in general. But your baby is now connecting with you. My hope for clients is that by the time they’ve hit that mark, they’ve developed more and have a parenting community.” Nola Nesting also hosts gatherings where new parents — especially those who are PAGE 14
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Brain Gains E I G H T W AY S T O K E E P A N A G I N G B R A I N S H A R P.
B Y F A M I LY F E AT U R E S
Babies play at The Parenting Center’s “Snuggles and Struggles” class.
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struggling through this period — can share their experiences. At KINDRED Studios, a retail and fitness boutique, mothers can take baby-friendly barre, ballet, spin and yoga classes in addition to prenatal yoga. The studio also features a padded “Romp Room” — a play area for babies from newborns to age three. “It’s a place where you can meet likeminded moms,” says Genevieve Douglass, the owner of KINDRED. KINDRED hosts a “New Mom Group” once a week, where mothers discuss the various challenges posed in the early months of parenthood. Fathers do the same thing on Saturday mornings during “Dad’s Den” gatherings. KINDRED also hosts La Leche League of New Orleans meetings, where moms and moms-to-be receive breastfeeding guidance and information. The “NOLA Babywearers,” another support group, meets once a month. “They talk about everything, but the main point is to learn how to wear your new baby,” Douglass says. During these workshops, women will learn about the many different styles of baby carriers and wraps, and decipher which one works best for her lifestyle and her baby. The Parenting Center, a wellness program run by Children’s Hospital, provides a wealth of educational tools, along
with support for new mothers and fathers. It also features playrooms, where parents can mingle while their babies frolic on colorful mats. “There’s a myth that parenting comes naturally, but there’s a lot to know,” says Jenni Evans, parenting educator and assistant director of The Parenting Center. “This is a great way to learn, to get your questions answered by professionals, and to get ideas from other parents.” Some classes and services are free and open to the public, while others require a fee or membership. During the “Snuggles and Struggles” support group, parents and their babies sit on a mat covered in blankets and baby toys, and discuss concerns with a parenting educator. The “Happiest Baby” class is based on Harvey Karp’s popular book, The Happiest Baby on the Block, and is packed with tips on how to soothe an upset infant. Participants leave with an educational DVD. “I love that you can come to The Parenting Center for something specific like a class, or you can just come and hang out,” Evans says. “If you get the time to think about [parenting], or learn something new about it, that is going to make a huge difference to your family.”
THE BRAIN IS THE BODY’S MOST COMPLEX ORGAN. It’s also the most important one. That’s why keeping it healthy is critical, especially as you age. Every day, scientists are discovering how closely our minds and bodies are connected. As it turns out, the things you do to keep your body and heart healthy may also be good for your brain. Incorporate these eight healthy habits and activities into your daily life to help you optimize brain health in the years ahead. Get moving Physical activity is good for your health at every age. Studies show being active is associated with a lower risk of brain issues. Whether it’s nightly walks, playing with the kids and grandkids or taking your favorite yoga class, find an activity that meets your needs and gets your heart pumping for at least 30 minutes every day. Eat to thrive The antioxidants in nutrientdense foods like berries, broccoli and legumes, including some fats such as olive oil, may lower some risks to your brain. Try eating a healthy, low-fat, low-cholesterol diet with lots of vitamin-rich fruits and vegetables, as well as whole grains such as oatmeal and brown rice. Know your blood pressure High blood pressure can have serious effects on your brain health. If your blood pressure is high, get it under control. It may help reduce some risks to your brain. Moderate your drinking How the body handles alcohol can change with age. Some older adults can feel “high” without increasing the amount of alcohol
they drink. This can make them more likely to become confused or have accidents. So limit the amount of alcohol you drink — or don’t drink it at all. Get a good night’s sleep Poor or inadequate sleep due to issues such as insomnia or sleep apnea doesn’t just leave you feeling tired. It can have serious physical effects and can impact memory and thinking, too. Get comfy and go to bed. Seven to eight hours is a good night’s rest. Discover a new talent When you learn new things, you engage your brain. Try something you haven’t done before — learning French, ballroom dancing or carpentry, for example. Challenging your brain on a regular basis is fun and beneficial. Stay connected Science has shown that regular engagement in social activities can help reduce some risks to your brain. Stay connected and invite family or friends over for a healthy meal, go on a hike together or just hang out. Talk to your doctor As you age, some changes in brain function, including short-term memory, happen more frequently than when you were younger. If you have questions or are concerned, ask your doctor at your next appointment. For more tips on keeping your brain healthy and thriving, visit www.brainhealth.gov.
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