HOT PURSUIT

While many people focused on having fun at last week’s Downtown Thursday, and rightfully so as we kick off the summer season, I came across a booth that fueled my brain with knowledge—knowledge that could save your brain and possibly avoid the nasty disease of Alzheimer’s and dementia.

The Alzheimer’s Association of Minnesota handed out treats to kids and important information to adults about keeping your brain healthy. Their presence at the first Downtown event of the season coincides with Paint the Town Purple, which started last week and continues through the end of this week. Organizer Rebekah Hartman has been promoting Alzheimer’s for several years.

Hartman pointed out to me that June is Alzheimer’s Awareness Month and provided me with a handout focusing on the 10 healthy habits for your brain. She said these habits can lower the risk of developing cognitive decline and possibly dementia.

The habits include protect your head, challenge your mind, stay in school, eat right, manage diabetes, be smoke-free, maintain a healthy weight, control your blood pressure, sleep well and get moving. As I glanced over the list, I gave myself passing grades in most categories. The only one I fall short on is staying in school, though one could argue that I am challenging my mind by putting out a newspaper every week and educating readers. Hartman thought that could count as the next best thing to actually being in school.

Hartman’s message is pretty simple: take charge of your brain health. She said the science on brain health shows that certain healthy behaviors like those listed above can reduce the risk of ending up with Alzheimer’s. Taking positive steps now can lead to protecting your memory and thinking. The Association says this is true even if you have a history of dementia in your family.

Making small changes—like moving your body more and choosing healthy food options—can add up and make a big difference.

What’s the big deal with brain health?

I know how devastating this disease can be as I have a family member who has been battling it for the past six years. While visiting him this past Sunday, I found it was one of his better days for the new norm he is encountering. I took some comfort when he smiled and said, “I know you,” and asked about my family, though I’m not sure he really did. But those days are few and far in between. It’s incredibly difficult to see someone (in this case a former college professor) who has lost their mind.

He is one of an estimated 7.4 million people 65 and older in the U.S. alone living with dementia. Alzheimer’s is a progressive, irreversible brain disorder that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills.

While there is no cure for Alzheimer’s, our only hope is to ward it off by practicing healthy habits now.

We can also help by getting involved with Paint the Town Purple in Owatonna this week through various give back events at local restaurants. The group will be at Saturday’s Farmer’s Market with more information and to promote the upcoming walk in September.

I encourage you to go in hot pursuit of living a life filled with 10 healthy habits for your brain.