Cathy Starkweather

All done.  Hope this has been helpful in figuring out a routine that will work in the future.

This short article has a few tidbits about alternative approaches:  https://nccih.nih.gov/health/tips/alzheimers.  I like that it included mindfulness-based stress reduction as being helpful to caretakers.  I wish it had included references.

I believe I have reached my goal of 20% reduction of stuff in our storage room (based on the number of boxes).  Yay!  I still have to deliver items for donation, but it feels good to have reached this point.

We've earned more than 1500 points!  Good work!  

Here's a page describing what it calls spiritual fitness although its spirituality is in a sort of not necessarily religious way.
http://alzheimersprevention.org/4-pillars-of-prevention/spiritual-fitness/ It claims to reverse amyloid plaque, improve telomeres,  and slow progressions of Alzheimer's.  However, it does not give references.

Here is an article listing specific foods to eat or avoid for brain health: https://www.webmd.com/alzheimers/features/mind-diet-alzheimers-disease#1. 

I found this article useful for how to think about normal aging vs. early dementia: https://www.webmd.com/alzheimers/guide/alzheimers-or-forgetful#1.  It gives a lot of examples at the bottom and on the second page.

OLLI at Duke also has Conscious Aging programs: http://www.olliatduke.org/conscious-aging-schedule-fall-2017.html 

Our team has done about 1290 minutes of exercise.  Good job!

There was some research from 2014 which suggests new neurons help one deal with stress: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/news/science-news/2014/how-might-new-neurons-buffer-against-stress.shtm.  Exercise creates new neurons, so that may be how it helps with dealing with stress.  This research looked at differences in brain activity from different kinds and levels of mental stimulation ; https://content.iospress.com/articles/restorative-neurology-and-neuroscience/rnn150533.