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January is Alzheimer’s Awareness Month, and the Brant Haldimand Norfolk Hamilton Halton Alzheimer Society is encouraging people to focus on brain health. They emphasize that brain health is simple and achievable for everyone.
Madison Brown, Public Education Coordinator let us know that maintaining a healthy brain is easier than you think. At the top of the list is having a balanced diet.
Staying with that idea, what’s good for our bodies is good for our brains, physical activity is also vital. Exercise improves blood flow and oxygen to the brain, which lowers the risk of dementia.
And finally, Brown says staying socially connected is important. It stimulates our cognitive functioning and also reduces our risk of isolation and depression. Social interactions strengthen and build more connections in our brain.
Director of Development, Aileen Bradshaw, told us that the Alzheimer society can help keep you on track and socially connected.
Health and wellness events, such as Minds in Motion and social cafes are great opportunities to stay in touch. The Program Guide will soon be available in the local office at 645 Norfolk St North in Simcoe and other community spaces.
The annual Walk for Alzheimer’s has moved to the May 24th weekend and will return to the Jarvis Lions Community Park. Online registration will open shortly, so that fundraising efforts can begin. Funds raised support people living with dementia and their caregivers in Haldimand-Norfolk.
Other upcoming events include a virtual public lecture on cognitive testing on January 27th and a Lunch and Learn on cognitive impairment on January 30th in Hagersville. Registration details can be found at alzda.ca.
Written by Jeremy Hall