There are people without a genetic predisposition for Alzheimer’s that get the disease; there are people with the genes that don’t. This suggests that the environment, rather than genetics, plays the larger role in regards to Alzheimer’s. Unfortunately, the environment of large mass societies deprives us of the leisure we experience in small band societies.
I do not know of studies correlating leisure as a quality of life to brain health. Rather, there are many studies that relate stress to degraded brain health and studies that correlate particular leisure activities to increased health. I’ve covered some of these activities already: dancing, playing an instrument, meditation, socializing, learning something you enjoy. If those still sound like too much work to some people there is another option: one study revealed that just lying in a pool can enhance brain health.
I cannot emphasize the importance of leisure for a high quality of life and brain health enough. In our society those who are well educated tend to eat right and exercise, yet still fall victim to stress. This was Cindy’s bane. Our walk across the country from 2011-2012 worked because of the exercise and sunshine; it also worked because it rebooted Cindy’s life when her cognitive dysfunction was still mild. Whatever type of leisure it takes, alleviate the stress from your lives now.
Hi Kirk….I was glad to read this page. I think of you and Cindy often. Have known a few others with Alzheimer’s. Early in my own life I became very sensitive to the possibility of having it myself, not because I had symptoms but because I sensed that people with Alzheimer’s may have been exposed to too much control from others. In my own life that was definitely the case. I had allowed it, keeping my true wishes pent up inside until I was about 50, when I exploded. I honestly don’t know if this is a cause for some, though it makes some sense. Even those like Iris Murdoch and the more recent fiction story of Still Alice, who were highly educated and trained. Could this type of background also nurture Alzheimer’s? When a person is guided away from their own inclinations it seems they might eventually suffer. At some point I would think they would no longer remember their inner self. I don’t know Cindy’s background other than about her hiking with you, which seems to me could offer the best possible relief from this disease. At what age did Cindy begin to show signs? I do believe that environment plays a large roll. I actually was sensitive early on, not because of Alzheimer’s but because of MS which took my own mother when I was young. A different manifestation of control but still a possibility.
I know you get many suggestions, and I have hesitated including my thoughts, but this recent article suggested to me that you might be interested.
I wish you well. Caregiving is exhausting. At least you have already done most of what you loved in this life. Anneke learned a lot from you, hiking wise. A happy time for her.
Thanks Peggy. Please feel free to share anything. I hope this can be a forum that helps others.