AboutMichalene Peticca Expertise I'd be happy to help with any questions about Alzheimer's or Dementia diseases. I can also help with Medicare, Long term care & other insurance questions.
Experience I have my Masters degree in Geriatrics and am credentialed through the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Pennstate Milton Hershey hospital and the American Geriatrics Society. I've been in healthcare for over 20 years and worked directly with Alzheimer's and Dementia individuals for most of that time. I am also a licensed insurance agent in PA and MD. Currently i train healthcare professionals to care for Alzheimer and Dementia individuals and i have been a care manager for guardianship services in PA
Organizations American Geriatrics Society
Education/Credentials Masters degree in Geriatrics
Licensed insurance agent in PA & MD.
Past/Present clients PHI Homes in Pennsylvania
York, Dauphin & Adams County Area on Aging
The Jewish Home of Harrisburg
Question Does doing crossword and word search puzzles exercise the brain to ward off dementia/ alzheimer's?
Thank you!
Answer Hi Joo,
Thank you for writing. Many people do wonder about the benefits of "exercising" the brain to ward off Alzheimer's and other dementia diseases.
The answer is MAYBE. Alzheimer's and dementia disorders are DISEASES of the brain. That is....much like cancer, an individual is generally pre-disposed to developing that disease from a genetic standpoint. Therefore, i may have a genetic component that could be "triggered" for the disease, while you do not.
However, there is a LOT of truth in the "use or lose it" theories and your brain is a muscle and needs constant exercise like any other muscle in your body. Therefore, it is indeed very healthy to continue using the brain and challenging it's "muscle memory", etc.
It is not so much that doing crossword puzzles or word search "wards off" Alzheimer's as it either is able circumvent that disease trigger or significantly decrease the production of the disease. (Think: red wine & heart disease)
I suggest ALL avenues of enjoyment to keep learning, growing and working your brain "muscle"! Enjoy!
