One of the most devastating conditions facing today’s seniors is Alzheimer’s disease. Different from dementia or senility, Alzheimer’s is a condition that changes a person’s personality as well as ravaging his or her mind and destroying memories. The disease can be devastating to family members or other caregivers as well because they see the harmful effects on their loved ones. Estimates put the number of Americans with Alzheimer’s around four million. Luckily for sufferers, though, education and prevention can help postpone, or possibly even eliminate, the disease.

Forgetfulness is associated with aging and Alzheimer’s, but in the disease, the patient may begin to have trouble making associations, such as that the patient’s daughter’s daughter is the patient’s granddaughter. In other instances, the sufferer has trouble with language and finds him or herself unable to find the words to express emotions or desires. A decrease in judgment abilities, such as not walking in front of a car, and abstract thinking, as well as personality changes, are keys an elderly person may have Alzheimer’s, instead of normal aging.

To help slow the disease, which affects primarily people 65 years old and older, a person should work to keep his or her mind stimulated by taking classes, doing crossword puzzles, and performing other tasks that require a tax on one’s mental capacity. These tasks can help the brain continue to function as it did before retirement.

Another important factor in slowing the progressive of Alzheimer’s disease is to make sure one eats properly. Reducing fat intake may decrease the likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s. Fruits and vegetable, as well as refined carbohydrates, can help nourish the brain. Because Alzheimer’s affects the brains of its victims, good nutrition is vital to keeping healthy. Some doctors, however, suggest that people are at risk for developing Alzheimer’s may want to take a multi-vitamin supplement to ensure they receive proper nutrients.

Another possible prevention method is taking medication early. Some patients want to wait to take medicine because they do not have a full-blown case of the disease, but Alzheimer’s medications can slow the disease’s progress. While it is impossible to predict who will get Alzheimer’s disease and researchers are unsure exactly what causes it, follow these simple guidelines can lead to a healthier overall lifestyle and may prevent a debilitating disease in the process.