Living With Dementia How To Support A Healthy Lifestyle Eugene-Springfield, Oregon

Changes In The Brain

When the prefrontal cortex of the brain is affected by dementia, a person loses the ability to think effectively. In dementia, the death of brain cells deteriorates the following complex functions: logical thinking, impulse management, correct decision-making, follow-through, and the understanding of consequences. As a result, a person with dementia thinks in simple ways such as, “I have it/ I don’t have it,” and “I want it, so give it to me.” They see the person who prevents them from getting what they want as a threat.
The amygdala is the center of emotion in the brain. It’s the part of our primitive brain that keeps a person engaged in moments of high tension. When we feel threatened, it activates the “fight, flight, or freeze” response. It’s also the part that makes sure that we get what we need to survive, like nourishment and hydration.

Fast Food, Quick Nourishment

Nourishing ourselves means getting the right fuel – and as a result, enough energy. Using glucose as fuel is the easiest, fastest, and often the most or pleasurable way to generate energy. Who doesn’t like chocolate, candy bars, and pastries? The carbs we get from mac & cheese or bread with butter put the “comfort” in “comfort food.”
Unfortunately, as quickly as glucose turns into energy, it also ends. A person with dementia gets into a vicious cycle: the brain signals a need for energy, the body consumes piles of sugar, the resulting energy is quickly used up, triggering the brain to send a new signal to consume more fuel NOW! Often, a person with dementia will respond to these brain signals by steadily consuming sweets and sugary drinks; in no time, they end up packing on twenty extra pounds.
How To Effectively Break The Vicious Cycle
Remember that you are dealing with a person who has dementia, so reasoning probably won’t work. You also don’t want to be the “glucose cop” who prevents access to glucose

Food

• Instead of completely depriving the person of sweets, arrange them in smaller portions. For example: instead of big candy bars, buy the small ones. Buy/make small cupcakes instead of the bigger ones.
• Make healthier pastry by substituting healthier options: apple sauce instead of fat (butter or oil), almond flour instead of white flour.
• Offer sweet seasonal fruits instead of processed, sugary snacks.
• Space the time between meals by keeping the person occupied with activities or conversation.
• Talk to the family doctor about adding minerals and vitamins such as B12 or

vitamin D.

Exercise

If the person doesn’t burn energy through exercise, not only will they gain weight, but it will also get more challenging for them to initiate movement. It’s important to find ways to encourage increased mobility.
• If getting up and walking is difficult, start with upper body exercise. Then, progress to full-body exercise in the sitting position.
• Instead of bringing food to them, encourage them to come over to you. For example, say “I’m busy in the kitchen right now, can you come over here?” Or: “Can you come and look in the refrigerator and show me what you’d like to eat?”
• Dancing makes for great exercise. Everyone likes music, and if you play a favorite song of theirs and start dancing, there is a good chance they will join you.
• Go for a walk outside. You may begin by wheeling the person in the wheelchair, but when you spot something interesting, park the chair a short distance away and say, “Let’s go to see this beautiful sculpture,” or “Come sit next to me on this bench and enjoy the sun.”
• If the person suffers from chronic pain, you may need to consult with a doctor about pain medications and prior to any planned activity.

Succeeding And Failing

When helping a person with dementia live a healthy life, take small steps, one at a time. Don’t argue or get into lengthy logical reasoning. Some days you’ll make a difference and get to walk around the block. Other days you’ll watch them eat three pieces of cake. With dementia, a person has good lucid moments and bad confused moments — sometimes on the same day. The most important thing to remember is to stay flexible and accept whatever you get with gratitude.