June is Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month. There are different ways to keep your brain healthy. They include staying social, eating healthy food, getting a good night’s sleep and prioritizing your mental health. There are small changes that you can make to lower your risk of dementia. Staying physically active, managing your blood pressure, preventing or managing diabetes, correcting hearing loss and limiting or avoiding drinking alcohol and smoking are lifestyle habits to keep your brain healthy.
Some of the early signs of Alzheimer’s Disease are memory loss that disrupts daily life, challenges in planning or solving problems, confusion with time or place, misplacing things, difficulty completing familiar tasks, changes in mood and personality, and withdrawal from work or social activities. If you or a loved one are experiencing any of these symptoms, please make an appointment with your general practitioner for an evaluation to determine if further testing is needed. An early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s or any form of dementia can give people more time to plan and to maximize their time with family and friends.
What can you do to help a family living with Alzheimer’s or Dementia? First and foremost, educate yourself. There are different ways to do this. I would suggest starting by going to alz.org. The Alzheimer’s Association website is full of facts, figures, education materials and how to become an Alzheimer’s advocate. Second, assist a family by preparing a meal, running an errand for them or providing a ride. Third, do not be afraid to offer to stay with the individual so the family members can go out and see a movie, visit with a friend, run an errand or go to church. If you are fortunate enough to stay with the person living with the disease, grab old photo albums or put on some music that they enjoyed when they were younger. If they are able, go out for a walk or have them help fold laundry, dry dishes, etc. Engage the individual in any task that you are doing. Everyone needs a sense of purpose. If the person can complete a task with or without assistance, encourage them to do so.
For all the caregivers, JOIN A CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUP! I cannot emphasize the importance of finding others who are going through the same experiences as you may be. The Adams County Office for Aging, Inc. (ACOFA) offers a Dementia Caregiver Support group that meets on the third Wednesday of every month at 3:00PM. As a past facilitator of the group, the words I share with every caregiver are always “TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF.” I know that the individual living with the disease is being cared for, but what about the caregiver who may be providing 24/7 care for their loved one? The caregiver’s health is vital in ensuring that they can provide the right care for their loved one.
June also means it is time for fruit vouchers to be distributed through the Department of Agriculture’s Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Programs (SFMNP). ACOFA will begin distributing fruit vouchers at the Adams County Farmers market on June 7thfrom 8AM-1PM. After that, you may pick up your vouchers at ACOFA Monday through Friday from 8AM-4:30PM. SFMNP vouchers may be used from June 1, 2025, through November 30, 2025. Each eligible senior may receive five/$5.00 checks for a total SFMNP benefit of $25.00. To triple your SFMNP benefits, bring your checks to the Adams County Farmers Market and spend them with any certified grower.
For more information regarding the SFMNP program or to receive support after an Alzheimer’s diagnosis, please reach out to ACOFA at 717-334-9296 or visit our website at acofa.org.
Lynn Deardorff is the Executive Director at the Adams County Office for Aging, Inc. She can be reached at ldeardorff@acofa.org