Working Caregiver- Alzheimer's Disease
Some of the activities we enjoy today may not be doing us any favors in the future..
America's Favorite Pastime: A Cause of Dementia?
 Sometimes as caregivers we learn things about the past that we can't change; but they're things that can help us to change the future for others. Many of us care for people with some form of dementia or Alzheimer's; these seniors typically require help because issues with memory make them forget to provide for some of their basic needs or cause them to enter dangerous situations unknowingly. While we often address these issues head on, we don't always think about what caused them to occur in the first place.
A new study has shown that Football injuries might just play a role in Alzheimer's or dementia. As one of America's favorite pastimes, whether it's watching or playing; many of us caregivers have been involved in the sport itself or have children and other family members who are. Even if it's someone we love who is injured on the Football field, experiencing a concussion or other head injury, we don't always consider the long-term effects or think about what a favorite pastime today might mean for the future.
According to this study, 6.1 % of former NFL players reported that they had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's or dementia, which is much higher than the 1.2% national average. Other health problems have appeared in older adulthood with the group surveyed as well, proving that America's favorite pastime might be harmful to our health. Although some experts are not finding certainty in this study, they have acknowledged that it's an issue that deserves further investigation; it also teaches all caregivers who have families, to take a long hard look at the decisions they make throughout their lives on behalf of their children, because while enjoyable today, certain activities just might not do them any favors for the future. With so many years spent in older adulthood as lifespans continue to increase, making smart choices that can allow all of us to enjoy our senior years with health and happiness should be a top priority.
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