Don’t Laugh Off ‘Senior Moments’ of Forgetfulness

I admit, I'm probably an early candidate for dementia. I've noticed myself forgetting names of people, where I placed my keys and the like. No big thing? Well, increasingly, scientists are reporting that a forgetful person is much more likely to develop dementia than those who report no such symptoms.

So, what's someone like me, and maybe you, suppose to do? For starters, simply let your primary care physician know that you're having this issue. Chances are, we've laughed it off with everyone else, but in a new study conducted by Richard Kryscio, the lead author and associate director of the Alzheimer's Disease Center at the University of Kentucky, it's no laughing matter. In fact, of the 1 in 6 participants who developed dementia, 80 percent of them reported some memory changes beforehand.

Also, if we're up front and tell our health care professionals, there may be a significant window of opportunity for positive intervention! Right now, there are no ways to prevent dementia, but healthy lifestyles - including exercise, abstention from smoking and good eating habits have shown to be promising.

And speaking of exercise, this is a perfect place and time to ask you to support the 2014 Walk To End Alzheimer's at Fort Taber in New Bedford on Sunday, Sept. 28. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. with a formal program at 9:30 a.m. and the walk stepping off at 10 a.m. This is the first year the walk is in New Bedford, honoring those loved ones who've been taken by Alzheimer's, like the recent death of the mother of former Miss New Bedford, Ashley Bendiksen.

[Time]