Health & Wellbeing

I am often asked about ways to reduce the risk of developing certain neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. The following are a few recent questions that have been posed online and through social media, along with my responses, so you, too, can understand the significance of healthy lifestyle choices and early testing to maintain brain health.

By Lisa Bertagnoli

Por Lisa Bertagnoli

In last month’s blog post, I addressed the impact of genetic risk in developing Alzheimer’s disease. In this post, I explain the importance of genetic testing, and how hope is NOT lost, should you have a higher risk genetic profile.

Statistically speaking, one in five women and one in ten men will get Alzheimer’s in their lifetime; however, certain individuals have a higher genetic risk. Your lifetime risk for Alzheimer’s disease can be as low as 5%, but as high as 70%, depending on your APOE genotype.

Last month, Dr. Maraganore explained the theory of the Mediterranean diet, and how it can be incorporated into food choices during the holidays; in Part 2 of this series, he discusses details behind recent research which indicate the impact of a Mediterranean diet on brain health.

When it comes to what we eat, research indicates in a strong and clear direction: the food we consume does indeed impact the health of our brains. Emmaline Rasmussen, MS, RD, E-RYT, a nutrition specialist and clinical research dietitian at NorthShore University HealthSystem, works with each of our Brain Health patients on an individualized plan based on their unique health and lifestyle factors. Below, Emmaline shares details about the Mediterranean diet and tips for eating better during the holidays.

November is National Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month and National Caregiver Month. An estimated five million Americans have Alzheimer's disease, and that number is expected to double by the year 2035. Illinois has the 6th largest prevalence rate of Alzheimer's in the country. And, as more and more loved ones get diagnosed with Alzheimer's the number of caregivers, and the burden on them, increases. Today there are more than 15 million Alzheimer's and dementia caregivers in the U.S. Perhaps you're caring for a loved one with Alzheimer's, and you've experienced firsthand the challenges a diagnosis brings.

It’s Sunday afternoon and I was twerked off because I needed to travel for work. Again. I just returned home Thursday and here I was, just two days later, headed for Atlanta and the AARP Annual Life@50 event. I have been to Atlanta in the past, but hadn't really experienced much of the city. Once there, despite my reticence, I decided to use the opportunity to explore.

In mid-August I celebrated 20 years working at AARP. Twenty years?! Really? On September 11 th I turned 56 years old. Wow. As I reflect on these milestones I realize I’m right smack dab in the middle of two groups that AARP is focused on. Age-wise I’m part of the Boomer generation. My generation has changed every American institution it has touched and now as a group we are changing how we age. As a worker, I have begun to feel the tugs of what’s next with my career - is there something else I want to do? Life Reimagined if you will?