By Irma Prettenhofer, Gerontologist
Silverado Red Rock Memory Care
April, being alcohol awareness month reminds us of the delicate balance between social drinking and the potential for addiction. According to the Alzheimer’s Society, there is enough evidence to suggest that excessive alcohol consumption increases an individual's risk of developing dementia. Excessive drinking of alcohol is linked to a reduced volume of the brain's white matter, which is crucial for the transmission of signals between different brain regions. As a result, a person's brain function decreases significantly. Long-term heavy drinking also impacts your body's ability to process vitamin B1, and the results are short-term memory deficiencies. Alcohol-related brain damage (ARBD) is a condition where drinking too much alcohol over the years causes conditions such as Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, a type of alcohol-related dementia. This finding is echoed by the National Institute of Health. As with anything, moderation is the key. You can consume alcohol, just don’t let it become a risk factor or your brain will end up paying the price.
What about red wine? You say…. Well, here is where it gets interesting. Red wine contains polyphenols which occur naturally and their superpower is to prevent the formation of certain proteins that create toxic plaques that kill brain cells. These polyphenols can also lessen the plaque toxicity that is already present in the body, thus reducing cognitive decline. So, who would love to come to tour our community so I can gift you a bottle of red wine, that Silverado partners with a winery to create specifically for us?? You have an open invitation to come visit anytime.
Consuming red wine is one of the components of the Mediterranean diet which is increasingly associated with the promotion of human health and the prevention of diseases mainly associated with mental and heart health. The Mediterranean diet focuses on plant-based foods and healthy fats. You eat mostly veggies, fruits, and whole grains. Extra virgin olive oil is the main source of fat. This diet can lower your risk of cardiovascular disease and many other chronic conditions. In general, you will eat;
- Lots of vegetables, fruits, beans, lentils, and nuts
- A good amount of fish, especially those rich in Omega 3 Fatty acids
- A moderate amount of natural cheese and yogurt
- Little to no red meat, choosing poultry, fish, or beans instead
- Little to no sweets, sugary drinks, or butter
At Silverado, we treat our residents like adults, so if their doctor allows them to drink in moderation, as a part of their care plan, as a socialization engagement, or to spend time with their visitors, we welcome and respect that individuality. Gentle music playing in the background, some nice company, and a chilled glass of wine- and you know that you are in your element. Life is way too short for regrets and the inclusion of life's simple joys creates a pause in the journey of our residents where they can feel normal, despite an aggressive disease that robs them of so much!!
So call me, and come visit us so you can see for yourself how unique, how grounded, and how magnificent we treat our residents at every point of their dementia walk. Call me at 702-337-2480.