U.S. News & World Report: Alzheimer’s Disease | Treatments, Medications and More

U.S. News & World Report recently interviewed Zaldy Tan, MD, MPH, medical director of the Jona Goldrich Center for Alzheimer’s and Memory Disorders at Cedars-Sinai, about lifestyle modifications that can benefit people with Alzheimer’s disease—the most common form of dementia.

Alzheimer’s disease causes memory loss, a decline in problem-solving and language skills, and other symptoms that eventually become severe enough to interfere with daily life. While there is no cure, experts believe it’s possible to reduce the risk of developing the disease or slow its progression.

Tan told U.S. News & World Report that heart-healthy measures such as exercising, eating well and not smoking also promote brain health.

“What’s good for your heart is generally good for your brain as well,” said Tan, who also holds the Carmen and Louis Warschaw Chair in Neurology at Cedars-Sinai.

He told U.S. News & World Report that staying connected socially also is important.

“I encourage my patients to remain cognitively and socially engaged because social isolation and cognitive stagnation may confer an increased risk,” he said.

Tan added that it’s likewise important for caregivers of people with Alzheimer’s disease to maintain social connections and to seek help from a supportive community.

“You can’t do this on your own,” he told U.S. News & World Report. “There’s a lot out there in the community, but (caregivers) need to find out what’s right for them and what they will have access to. This is a long journey. It’s a marathon, not a sprint. (Caregivers) need to be prepared for that.”

Click here to read the complete article in U.S. News & World Report.