Lifestyle

Through a series of newspaper articles, we have been learning about some of the major types of dementia. We started with Alzheimer’s type dementia which is the most common type of dementia. We then explored Lewy Body dementia and learned that that can either refer to dementia with Lewy bodies or Parkinson’s disease dementia. The next article focused on Frontotemporal Dementia to which we discovered there are 5 main types: Behavioral Variant, Primary Progressive Aphasia, Corticobasal Syndrome, Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, and FTD with ALS. In the last article, we explored Vascular Dementia, the second most common form of dementia. Today, we are going to learn about Mixed Dementia.

Do you belong to a book club, study group, learning circle or other gathering where people get together to connect around reading or education? If so, you may be interested in checking out one of the three titles that Prairie Five has available in our Book Bag collection. Each book bag has 12-15 copies of the same book title and a discussion guide. I’m happy to serve as the discussion leader if you’re considering this for a community event.

In previous articles, I have been writing about the different types of dementia. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, there are 11 different major types of dementia – however as we have learned, there are then different variants / sub-types under those 11 major types. In fact, dementia expert Teepa Snow claims in total there are over 120 different types, causes and forms of dementia. For our purposes, I think we will stick with just some of the most common types!

How many of you grew up celebrating May Day? I remember my older siblings talking how they would fill paper baskets or cones with treats and bring them to neighbors and friends. Once the baskets were prepared, you would set them down on the neighbor’s steps, knock on the door, yell Happy May Day, and run! If the gift receiver caught you, then you would have to give them a kiss! I even have nieces and nephews who remember their grandmother (my mom) running after them-and almost catching them!

When it comes to fraud, scams, and questionable sales techniques, the bottom line is this: You are your own best resource against ending up in a situation that you wish you hadn’t. It might not sound like a positive approach to life to say, “Be wary of all that you see, hear, and receive,” but slowing down and looking with a critical eye at what is in your mailbox, inbox, and on the screen is truly the best defense.

Even though I was unable to attend the Montevideo Area Memory Loss Network (MAMLN) event in person, I understand that the event was a great success – despite the weather!

The impact that the volunteers at Prairie Five have on the quality of life in their communities cannot be overstated! Each day, the home-delivered meals program volunteers ensure that older adults not only have access to nourishing, healthy meals but are able to continue living independently in their own homes. A 92-year-old remarked, “I gave up cooking and my kids aren’t around so if it weren’t for this service, I don’t know what I’d do.”