Dr. Isaacson’s tips: Keeping the mind active

Advice from guest blogger and Alzheimer’s expert Dr. Richard Isaacson for both you and your loved one¹

In the final post of his series, Dr. Isaacson provides professional tips for keeping the mind active:

1. Engage in a brain exercise or stimulating activity approximately 2 hours after drinking Axona. For example, one caregiver I know takes her husband to the movies while another person listens to music and educational CDs
2. Visit www.lumosity.com, a website for brain activities that tracks progress. I tell my patients that using this website once per week is generally a good idea to exercise the mind and track their progress
3. Listen to music, especially classical, which can be beneficial for people with Alzheimer's disease. Music therapy programs have been shown to improve memory in people with Alzheimer’s disease. There is an innovative program that I've recently been involved with called www.therapyformemory.org/music
4. Establish a routine with which the person with Alzheimer’s can become familiar. There are times of day when he or she is less confused or more cooperative. Plan your routine to make the most of those moments
5. Avoid talking to a person with Alzheimer's disease as if he or she were a child. Also  avoid talking about a person as if he or she weren't there
6. Recognize the importance of caregiver support. If stress and fatigue take a toll on the caregiver, the condition of the person with Alzheimer's can also decline. Caregivers should work with social workers or be a part of support groups to maintain their own health

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