National Memory Screening Day
I am getting older, there is no way around it. Since the day I turned 40 I have discovered that doctors of all types want to run additional testing whenever you go in for what used to be a simple check up. If it’s the eye doctor he begins looking for cataracts. If it’s the dentist, he looks at removing antiquated fillings. The family physician wants to do so many things with scopes I can’t even remember them all.
Alas, therein lies my problem, my memory. Getting older brings with it the challenge of remembering day to day things, something I’ve always had trouble with my memory even before age was factored in. It’s important for me to write things down on a calendar and keep the calendar where I can see it frequently to help me remember everything from school meetings to bill due dates. If the time comes when I don’t remember to write things down, I will be in trouble.
I believe that as we get older it is important to take care of ourselves and have certain additional health screenings completed to ensure we live longer, healthier lives. I think that memory screening for early detection of Alzheimer’s disease falls into this category. Memory screenings are done around the country and it’s simple to find one that is done locally.
There are also successful aging tips that I try to follow. Even something like doing a crossword puzzle, anything that uses brain power, is good exercise for the brain. I want to ensure that while researchers are doing what they can to find a cure for Alzheimer’s, I’m doing what I can to prevent it from happening to me. If it should be in my future, I would hope that my family could get me quality care and one way to do this is by making a contribution now to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America.
National Memory Screening Day is scheduled for November 13, 2007. I highly recommend checking it out and getting your own memory tested.
