Sharp as a Tack or Scrambled Eggs: Which Describes Your Brain?

By Fran Lewis

This is a special book for everyone who wants to keep their minds and brain alert and full of life. This book is just a resource for those who want to try some brain games, physical exercise and leisure activities that would or might stimulate your brain to keep you alert and on the ball. Remember, before starting any physical exercise program you need to discuss it with your doctor no matter how old you are for your own safety and health. Dieting does help when you need to lose those extra pounds that you dont want. Check with your doctor to make sure that the program you start is the right one for you. I DID!

This book includes great research done by many prominent doctors in the field of Alzheimers and dementia. There are many studies that I sited and several that I feel will help not only seniors but young adults and even kids understand the importance of keeping active, reading, writing, doing puzzles and other activities that will keep you out of your chair and active outside and inside.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Jun 30, 2010
• ISBN: 9781450087643

Fran Lewis

Fran Lewis: Fran worked in the NYC Public Schools as the Reading and Writing Staff Developer for over 36 years. She has three masters degrees and a PD in Supervision and Administration. Currently, she is a member of Who's Who of America's Teachers and Who's Who of America's Executives from Cambridge. In addition, she is the author of three children's books and a fourth that has just been published on Alzheimer's disease in order to honor her mom and help create more awareness for a cure. The title of my new Alzheimer’s book is Memories are Precious: Alzheimer’s Journey; Ruth’s storyShe was the musical director for shows in her school and ran the school's newspaper. Fran writes reviews for authors upon request and for several other sites. You can read some of my reviews on Ezine.com and on ijustfinished.com under the name Gabina. I am a member of Whos Who of Americas Teachers and Whos Who of America’s Executives and Professionals on Cambridge. I review books for authors upon request. My goal is to get my books published by a traditional publisher and on the shelves of every school library, hospital and bookstore. I host two radio shows on Blog Talk Radio. Book Discussion with Fran Lewis is on Blog Talk every third Wednesday of the month from three to five eastern. My children’s author’s show is four times a year. I host online book blogs and book tours for authors and I review books for authors throughout the world. I have published six books the last Because We Care in memory of my sister Marcia. The proceeds going to find the cause and cure for Alzheimer’s.

Book preview

Sharp As A Tack or Scrambled Eggs:

Which Describes Your Brain?

Fran Lewis

Copyright © 2010 by Fran Lewis.

Library of Congress Control Number:   2010905608

ISBN:   Hardcover      978-1-4500-8763-6

             Softcover        978-1-4500-8762-9

             Ebook            978-1-4500-8764-3

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Xlibris Corporation

1-888-795-4274

www.Xlibris.com

76989

Contents

Prologue

How Do We Keep Our Minds Active And Alert?

Introduction:   You Can Do This: Take Time Out For Your Brain! It Won’t Desert You!

Part One:   Can Alzheimer’s Be Prevented?

Part Two:   Brain Stimulating: Exercises That Might Help Ward Off Alzheimer’s

Part Three:   Not Just Seniors: Everyone Needs To Stimulate Their Minds And Keep Them Active And Alert

Part Four:   Senior Care

Part Five:   Brain Games And More To Keep Your Mind Fit And Alert

Part Six:   How Do You Keep Your Mind And Brain Active?

Part Seven:   What Are Some Ways To Predict That You Might Have Or Get Dementia?

Appendix A

About The Author

Special Dedication:

To the memory of my sister Marcia Wallach.

DEDICATION:

This book is dedicated to everyone who has a family member, relative or friend with Alzheimer’s Disease or dementia. It is dedicated to a brave and courageous woman, Ruth Swerdloff, my mom who has endured the indignities, horrors and effects of this illness for many years. Although she is in the last stages of the disease, she still recognizes faces of those who love her and can understand verbal directions when asked to do something. Her appetite is great and her mood is always sunny. When I come into her apartment each morning and night to give her the medication, she smiles and often says, My baby girl is here. Sometimes she might even say, Stop it, or tries to speak in whole sentences.

I want to thank Dr. Joe Verghese the head of Bronx Aging for meeting with me and helping me understand the study he did on how Leisure and Physical activities come into play in delaying the onset of dementia. I would also like to thank Dr. Nyer and Esther Nyer for their undying patience and understanding every time I call their office and need medical assistance for my mom. Their staff is so professional and they always answer my calls.

I would also like to thank my husband, Jeff, who supports me in all of my endeavors and understands how difficult it is when trying to deal with home care issues and more for my mom.

Thank you both to Lawrence and Evelyth Lewis for editing my book.

Thank you to Zane Robertson of Active Minds for Life for his understanding and support.

Active Minds

Founded in 2003, Active Minds provides lifelong learning programs to seniors and adult. Classes are for the love of learning and topics range from international current affairs to history, poetry, music, politics, and more. The mission of the organization is to expand lives and minds with community based educational programs. By presenting important issues in the world, Active Minds challenges people to engage in topics that matter and to connect socially with others that share their curiosity. If you are interested in learning more about Active Minds, be sure to visit their website at www.ActiveMindsForLife.com or call them at 303-320-7652.

Regards,

Zane Robertson

Active Minds

Tel: [phone]

Fax: [phone]

E-mail: [e-mail]

www.ActiveMindsForLife.com

PROLOGUE

Many people fall into routines, which require that they do the same thing the same way everyday. They get up, go to work, perform the same job, and read the same types of books never changing anything. When they are forced to vary from their routines, some people often find it difficult if not impossible. People, not just seniors who take part in different, activities, each day and vary them, give their minds a chance to workout and may reduce the possibility or risk of getting dementia.

According to a study led by a research team by Tasnime Akbaraly, 5700 people over the age of 65 who lived in senior communities and participated in many physical and social activities only 161 developed some form of dementia. The team classified the various activities, into four areas. The activities were stimulating, passive, physical and social.

The team, after looking at the data, learned that seniors, who did mentally stimulating activities like crossword puzzles, art, card playing and attended shows or movies, had a 50% reduced risk for developing dementia if they engaged in these activities at least twice a week. (Wwwthedoctorwillseeyounow.com/news_seniorliving/1014/activemind.shtml).

HOW DO WE KEEP OUR MINDS ACTIVE AND ALERT?

There are so many ways we can keep our mind and body active. There is a lot of research to help support the many ways that people can keep their minds aware, alert, and active. I decided to sidestep the research for a minute and ask people what they do to vary their daily routines and keep their mind and body sharp as a tack.

In a survey that I did of 50 seniors that live in my apartment