Today is World Alzheimer’s Day

Today is World Alzheimer’s Day!

There are few things as unnerving as the thought of losing our minds will we know ourselves to be. Alzheimer’s disease frequently results in this outcome and is insidiously progressive. When we’re aware of what’s happening it’s particularly unnerving and after a certain point it can be very disturbing to those who have known us.

World Alzheimer’s Day was created to increase awareness about Alzheimer’s and dementia. Alzheimer’s disease is a particular kind of dementia that is most common. Some of the statistics from the Alzheimer’s Association suggest that more than 5 million people are living with this problem. It is believed that it will increase over time.

Because the thought of losing who we are can be so uncomfortable many people will tend to shy away from understanding Alzheimer’s disease unless they’re forced to for some reason. There is been much research in the area of cognitive psychology particularly as related to neurological processes. Recent research suggests that doing mental exercises not as important in resisting Alzheimer’s disease as is increasing our exposure to a rich novel life. This would include learning new languages as we age or pursuing completely uncharted areas socially and personally in our own lives. While continuing to have a familiar challenging routine can have other benefits is not found to be as powerful is challenging our mind to have new connections by engaging in novel events. The diversity of experiences also found to be a support factor against developing this disease has quickly.

World Alzheimer’s Day