World Alzheimer’s Day 2013: Who Takes Care of the Caregivers?

Imagine you’re on an airplane. Your child is in the seat on your left. Your aging mother on your right. The plane hits some turbulence. You jostle in your seat. The plane hits significantly more turbulence, and the oxygen masks drop from the ceiling. You slip on your mask, as instructed. But then you look from your child to your mother, wondering which one to help first. Nearly half of adults in the United States are in a parallel situation every day. They’re called the “Sandwich Generation.” These are moms and dads who are also caring for their moms and dads, many with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. Between their children and their parents, these family caregivers carry the weight of their world on their shoulders. So which one do you help first? Actually, you can help both at the same time. A simple diet change helps the whole family. With this Saturday being World Alzheimer’s Day, it’s crucial for everyone—especially these sandwiched caregivers—to stop and think of how they can keep themselves from being another statistic in a world with rapidly increasing dementia rates, expected to nearly double every 20 years. This past summer, the Physicians Committee hosted our first International Conference on Nutrition and the Brain. We identified seven lifestyle changes that can not only help prevent Alzheimer’s, but are also good for the heart. One of the best ways to boost brain power, prevent memory loss, and ward off Alzheimer’s is eating a diet rich in low fat, plant-based foods. It’s never too early or too late to focus on prevention and nutrition by utilizing the Dietary Guidelines for Alzheimer’s Prevention. Vegan diets are beneficial to both children and seniors and can help keep caregivers strong and focused as they navigate often harsh skies. Everyday Health put together a wonderful infographic showing just how easy these seven steps are: Once they are put into practice, these guidelines will help everyone from grade-schoolers to great-grandparents. And for the family caregivers, it’s extra important not to lose sight of your own health and to follow these steps toward Alzheimer’s prevention. Take a moment to put your oxygen mask on first, steer clear of meat and cheese, and breathe.