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Oh, my aging brain: When is it a serious issue?

NIAGARA, Wis. — Several years ago already, my husband and I began communicating in half sentences. Our youngest son was visiting during one of those conversations. It went something like this, as my husband began, “Oh, who is that woman I am thinking of … you know, the one with the hair?” I answered, “Oh, I cannot remember her name. I know who you are thinking of, though, and it isn’t her. You’re thinking of the wife of, oh, you know the guy we just saw at the grocery store the other day when we stopped in to get a few things for supper on our way back from Marquette. They were at that Kiwanis event together last month.” And, without missing a beat, my husband replied, “Oh, yeah, now I remember, and you are right. I wasn’t thinking of the right woman.” End of conversation. Our son just shook his head in utter amazement and replied, “Unbelievable!”

This type of conversation was not at all unusual for us, and we generally knew what the other was thinking because the same little occurrence in the moment had sparked the same memory. It did not seem strange to us, although, we could understand how it may appear to someone a generation younger. One of two thoughts crossed our son’s mind, I am sure: either, “Wow, mom and dad really are on the same wavelength,” or “Man, mom and dad are really losing it.” Moments like these happened many times, and they always amused us.

Fast forward to today, and these and similar instances of forgetfulness are not so funny. We are a good 10 to 15 years older, and a lot has happened to affect our outlook. I watched my mother’s personality change as dementia took root and witnessed her confusion as the sun began to set on her day. She would call me from Maryhill Manor and tell me they had moved her to the basement again so she hoped I would be able to find her the next time I came to visit. I always assured her that I would stop in the office first and find out where she was; her room, of course, had never changed. My husband is experiencing that same transition to confusion in his own mother now and knows what it is like to carry on a conversation with someone who mistakes him for her husband or her brother and talks about wanting to “go home.” His mother’s aging brain has also affected her balance, the result of which has been several serious falls. In the moment, it saddens us to see our parents affected this way by the aging process. But it also instills no small bit of concern for what is in store for us in another 10 years.

My husband and I have both noticed within this past year that we lose our train of thought in the blink of an eye. If we do not express what we are thinking or write it down, the thought simply vanishes. Invariably it returns later, but then we can no longer remember why we wanted to talk about that issue. It is most frustrating! My husband searches for words to complete his sentences. I make more lists than I have ever made before. I have always made grocery lists; now I make errand lists as well so I am sure to make all of the stops I have to make before returning home. I have to concentrate much harder when I am making a meal — especially if it is a new recipe. I used to be able to cook while surrounded by commotion — not any longer.

While “life in the moment” has gotten a little more challenging, memories from the past are as crystal clear as ever. I can easily recall events from my childhood while I have a hard time remembering the details of a vacation we took with friends to Galena, Ill., just a few years ago. I guess we are not completely beyond help because we are both still passing that part of our annual physical exam in which we are asked to draw a clock and then repeat a sentence that had been given to us earlier during our appointment. We used to joke that misplacing our car keys was not a big deal as long as they did not show up in the refrigerator. While that situation has not happened to either one of us, it is no longer a laughing matter. We can too easily see how it could happen!

The National Institute on Aging had some very good information regarding the aging brain. As we age, our brains undergo age related changes just as other parts of the body change. Certain parts of the brain shrink, especially those important to learning and other complex mental activities. In certain regions of the brain, communication between nerve cells may not be as effective. Blood flow in the brain may decrease. Inflammation, which occurs when the body responds to an injury or disease, may increase. As these changes occur, outward changes in our abilities and actions occur too.

So, what are considered “normal” signs of a brain aging and what should we be concerned about if they emerge? The NIA states that simply taking longer to learn a new task or occasionally forgetting to pay a bill are often part of aging. More serious memory problems make it hard to do everyday things such as driving and shopping. Signs of the start of serious memory issues include: asking the same question over and over again, getting lost in familiar places, not being able to follow instructions and becoming confused about time, people and places.

The NIA provided an easy chart to help us distinguish between normal aging and the possible onset of Alzheimer’s disease. They offered a comparison in degree in five different areas of living.

1. Making a bad decision once in a while is normal. Making poor judgments and decisions a lot of the time is concerning.

2. Occasionally missing a monthly payment is normal while having consistent problems taking care of monthly bills is an indication of a larger problem.

3. It is normal to forget which day it is and then to remember it later. But losing track of the date or time of the year indicates the onset of Alzheimer’s disease. I can remember my mother not being able to name the season of the year despite the snow on the ground outside her window and the little Christmas tree on her window sill.

4. It is a normal part of aging to forget an occasional word, but forgetting so many and so often that you have a hard time carrying on a conversation is not at all normal.

5. It is not at all unusual to misplace things from time to time. But misplacing things often and being unable to find them or having them show up in very unusual places is a matter of concern.

Do you see yourself, a friend or a relative in any of the five situations listed above? If so, do not hesitate to discuss your concerns with your family physician. Memory and other thinking problems have many possible causes including depression, an infection, or side effects to a medication. Sometimes the problem can be treated, and cognition — the ability to think clearly, learn and remember — improves. Other times, the problem is a brain disorder, such as Alzheimer’s disease, which cannot be reversed. Finding the cause of the problem is important for determining the best course of action. Even if the changes are the result of something that has no cure, safeguards and compensations can be put into place for your safety or that of a loved one.

So often we think of the aging process as showing itself through the many physical changes — both big and small — that take place in our bodies. We almost expect them so, somehow, they do not seem as daunting. And, we also seem better prepared to deal with those physical changes. But the idea that we may eventually lose our mental faculties is downright frightening; it is as though we become lost in our own lives. The NIA offers some very good advice on living in such a way as to preserve our mental faculties for as long as possible. I will share them with you next week … mark your calendars so you don’t forget. Just kidding!

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The usual senior living activity calendars and senior center menus will not be published this week in an effort to avoid confusion. Due to the coronavirus and the vulnerability of the elderly population, daily life in the senior living facilities and senior centers has changed dramatically.

We hope to report the opening up of senior living centers to limited visitation by family members in the near future. Until that time, all living facilities remain closed to public visitation, and the activity calendars have been modified to allow for one-to-one room visits only and individualized activities to keep residents engaged and active as much as possible while remaining within the health and safety guidelines provided by state health experts. Group games are being substituted with individualized activities residents can do in their respective rooms. Staff are providing supplies as well as “overhead announcement bingo and trivia” games and “hallway games” that can be played in individual rooms or by sitting within individual room doorways. YouTube and DVDs are being utilized to provide religious services. A big dose of gratitude and appreciation goes out to all senior care staff for their creativity, caring and perseverance through a difficult situation.

All senior centers have also been closed to any center-based activity. Until they re-open, no information is being published that talks about activities typically available at these centers. Meals continue to be delivered. Some centers are also preparing meals to be picked up. Menus are printed below for those centers who are either preparing take-out or providing home delivered meals. Questions can be directed to the individual centers at the numbers all listed below.

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SENIOR CENTERS

Alpha-Mastodon Center

906-875-3315

Amasa Center

906-822-7284

The Amasa Center is a curbside pick-up-only kitchen for now. Call ahead for Tuesdays through Thursdays. Menu for the week —

Tuesday: Spaghetti, green beans, lettuce salad and garlic bread.

Wednesday: Sausage, sauerkraut, mashed potatoes, corn and tomatoes.

Thursday: Pork roast, mashed potatoes, mixed vegetables and coleslaw.

Note: All meals served with milk, bread and butter, fruit and dessert.

Breen Center

906-774-5110

Call for home delivery or for a to-go box. Menu for the week —

Monday: Ham and cheese sandwich and chef’s choice soup.

Tuesday: Beef stroganoff and noodles.

Wednesday: Cabbage rolls, carrots and potatoes.

Thursday: Baked chicken, mashed potatoes and corn.

Note: All meals served with a choice of skim milk or juice and fruit.

Crystal Falls Center

Head cook: Lucy Korhonen

906-875-6709

Crystal Lake Center

Iron Mountain

906-239-0278

Home-delivered meals only. Menu for the week —

Monday: Ham, sweet potatoes and green beans.

Tuesday: Turkey, stuffing, gravy and corn.

Wednesday: Chef salad, cottage cheese and shamrock cookie.

Thursday: Sloppy Joe on a bun, fried potatoes and broccoli.

Friday: Lemon pepper fish, rice and carrots.

Note: All meals served with a choice of skim milk, juice, or no beverage.

For more information, call Christine McMahon at 906-774-2256

Felch Center

906-246-3559

Now open with limited seating from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Monday through Wednesday. Menu for the week —

Monday: Chili, grilled cheese sandwich and apples.

Tuesday: Ham and Swiss sub sandwich, oven-browned potatoes and coleslaw.

Wednesday: Corned beef and cabbage and potatoes.

Note: All meals served with skim milk or juice.

Aging and Disability Resource Center of Florence County, Wis.

715-528-4890

Director: Tiffany White

Home-delivered meals only. Menu for the week —

Monday: Sweet and sour pork over rice, Oriental vegetables and fruit.

Tuesday: Crispy chicken, parsley potatoes, stewed tomatoes and fruit.

Wednesday: Irish stew, biscuits, fruit and St. Paddy’s Day cake.

Thursday: Chef’s salad, garlic bread, cottage cheese and fruit.

Friday: Fish and chips, baked beans, coleslaw and fruit.

Note: All meals served with whole grain bread and butter and milk.

Fence Center/Town Hall

715-336-2980

For meal reservations, call 855-528-2372

Same as ADRC menu, home-delivered only.

Florence Community Center/Town Hall

For meal reservations, call 715-528-4261

Same as ADRC menu, home-delivered only.

Tipler Town Hall

For meal reservations, call 715-674-2320

Same as ADRC menu, home-delivered only.

Hillcrest Senior Dining Center, Aurora

For meal reservations, call 715-589-4491

Same as ADRC menu, home-delivered only.

Hermansville Center

Coordinator: Pam Haluska

906-498-7735

Iron River Center

906-265-6134

Home delivered meals only. Menu for the week —

Monday: Chicken dumpling soup, turkey sandwich, fruit and milk.

Tuesday: Fish, cheesy hash browns, peas, fruit and milk.

Wednesday: Mushroom swiss burger, seasoned fries, wax beans, fruit and milk.

Thursday: Barbecue chicken, baked potato, broccoli, fruit and milk.

Norway Center

Director: Michelle DeSimone

906-563-8716

The center will remain closed; however, takeout meals will be prepared for pick-up — those picking up must call ahead and wear a mask. Menu for the week —

Monday: Ham, scalloped potatoes, green beans, fruit, juice and dessert.

Tuesday: Spaghetti or polenta, broccoli, bread sticks, fruit, juice and dessert.

Wednesday: Two meal day: 11 a.m. meal — Fish patty on a bun, potato wedges, coleslaw, fruit, juice and dessert; and 4 p.m. meal — Barbecue ribs, mashed potatoes and gravy, carrots, fruit, juice and dessert.

Thursday: Chicken parmesan over penne pasta, Italian blend vegetables, garlic bread, fruit, juice and dessert.

Sagola Center

906-542-3273

Now open with limited seating from noon to 1 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday. Menu for the week —

Tuesday: Beef roast, mashed potatoes and mixed vegetables.

Wednesday: Hamburgers, roasted potatoes and baked beans.

Thursday: Chicken parmesan, pasta and carrots.

All meals served with fruit and choice of skim milk or juice.

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