Mind Matters

Autumn's cooler weather can be a great time to visit a zoo. But if you're a caregiver for someone with dementia, a zoo outing can be daunting, complicated and inconvenient. The Akron Zoo is doing something about that. ...

Many libraries in Northeast Ohio are now making available memory care kits designed for people with Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, memory loss or even mild cognitive impairment. If you are looking for activities to enhance a visit with a homebound adult, or someone in a facility, check out these resources for ideas that offer appealing memory stimulation. ...

There comes a point in everyone’s life where their mental health takes a dip. It can come at any point and be for many reasons, whether there has been a death in the family, maybe work hasn’t been going well, or your friendships are struggling – whatever your reasons, it happens to everyone. 

What’s important when you are going through a moment of struggle is to work towards the light in the tunnel, and when we say that, we mean changing your lifestyle to work towards getting your mental health back on top, and this can be done through various methods. It could be by exercising more, by watching your diet, reaching out to mental health experts or getting more sleep (sleep is so important for your mental health). 

To help get you started, we have put together a brief guide on getting your mental health back on track. Keep reading to learn more. 

Exercise 

A good place to start is exercise. Exercise is so important and can really help your mental health. You should be aiming to exercise around two to three times a week, doing various workouts. Your workout could be a gym session, it could be playing a sport like football or doing something solo, such as running or swimming – it’s down to you to do something that you will enjoy doing, as this way you are more likely to stick to it. 

Get plenty of sleep 

So many people don’t get enough sleep on a day-to-day basis. It’s so important for your mental health as well as your overall health, yet it’s often neglected. If we asked you how much sleep you currently get, what would you say? Do you think you manage to get the recommended 7 to 9 hours of sleep each day?

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September is World Alzheimer's Month; a time to raise awareness about Alzheimer's disease, promote brain health and support those affected by the condition. Know this: The only non-medical way in which brain health can be improved is through exercise in conjunction with a proper diet and sufficient rest. ...

Did our pop culture columnist see a UFO when he was a kid? Maybe. The government has been collecting UFO stories for decades. Why don't we know more about them? ...

I don't need a Cleveland Clinic doctor to tell me that social media impacts my mental (and sometimes physical) health. But it's nice to have backup. Currently, I'm sporting a nasty burn on my knuckle from a Pinterest-inspired power drill project. ...

This one hits close to home; more specifically, close to my living room. Ever doze off on the couch at night, then struggle to fall back asleep once you move to your bed? Don't do it. ...

For those with dementia, anger is often a secondary emotion in response to something like shame, humiliation or embarrassment. As caregivers, we should try to understand the emotion behind the emotion. Are we coming across as condescending or patronizing? This will trigger anger in our loved ones. Individuals with dementia need support and patience. ...