Not sure if this is a "Rant" Per-Se, but...

[Dhalin]

I think I'm getting pretty well-known in the rant boards. lol. I guess I just like to rant to get things off my chest, I find that it is healthy.

Anyways, I'll take a moment to describe my living conditions. Nothing too detailed, but I currently live with my parents, and I know many people would frown upon that and think lesser of me because of it.

The truth is, they are getting on in their years, and my presence helps them, both in the physical sense (doing things for them, etc) and also in the financial sense (I pay one-third for major bills and things gotten for the house, like that freezer we bought last year to replace an ancient one that wasn't working right).

Either way, Mom has been concerned that Dad is slowly going brain-dead and I can kinda understand what she means. We both think that Dad doesn't seem to understand the importance of mental exercise. Everyone preaches about physical exercise, and how important it is to be physically fit, but yet, I don't see too many people crying out for Mental Fitness too much.

Both your Brain and your Body are important, in fact, I'd think the brain is far more important than your body; even a wheel-chair bound person can enjoy life, but someone who is in a vegetable-state can't.

Mom's afraid that Dad is slowly coming down with a mental disease like Alzheimer's, and I can kinda see where she's coming from on that. He has trouble remembering things he said a few days to a week ago, that both mom and I remember quite clearly, and when he's not working, he sits for long hours in front of the TV, falling asleep usually.

So, to everyone, please remember that Mental Exercise is just as important if not moreso than Physical Exercise. That fit, strong, athletic body won't do you much good if your brain slowly goes dead on you from lack of use. It is good to find hobbies that make you Think, it is good to read books (or read things on the internet works too), and it is good to daydream and use your imagination.

I doubt I really have to tell anyone here about this, as most who read this are playing at least one MMORPG, but if you know aging family members who are slowly going brain-dead, you may want to try to convince them to take up hobbies that encourage them to think more. I know I've been trying to keep my mom mentally active so that she doesn't start down the same path that Dad is...

[Sigi]

Forgetfullness can be caused by a disease or perhaps a vitamin deficiency and there's not much braintraining exercise against that. So before you and your mum look at your dad as being lazy first be sure he is physically in order.

[velveeta]

alzheimer's runs in my maternal family, so i try to make sure i keep my - i don't like to think of them this way, but i suppose they could be called elderly, altho my mom is only 18 years older than me (hence my reluctance, i am sure) - rents mentally active (my dad is very physically active for his age [some might call it grumpy/pushy], my mom is a diabetic who drives me insane with her nonactivity). they ain't gamers and never will be, but i try to find fun lil timewaster games for my mom (otherwise she would just play solitare endlessly) like bejeweled and the like.
my dad hates the puter and won't even do email, so i try to find different magazines and tv stuff that challenges him. i have a life long interest in archeology, so i give him all my arch mags and tell him about history or discovery channels shows that will interest him but still make him think about the subject.

i totally agree with your rant, dha, and like to point to stephen hawking as an example - i consider him proof that the body is merely a support system for the mind.....

[Dhalin]

Forgetfullness can be caused by a disease or perhaps a vitamin deficiency and there's not much braintraining exercise against that. So before you and your mum look at your dad as being lazy first be sure he is physically in order.

As I said, both Physical and Mental are important, and yes, these are caused by diseases, however, just like Heart Disease and other physical conditions, physical exercise either helps prevent said diseases, or, lessens the impact of the said disease.

The same could be said about mental exercise and mental diseases.

[Sigi]

As I said, both Physical and Mental are important, and yes, these are caused by diseases, however, just like Heart Disease and other physical conditions, physical exercise either helps prevent said diseases, or, lessens the impact of the said disease.

The same could be said about mental exercise and mental diseases.

What I tried to say is this: If your brain starts to fail because you are depressed of have a vitamin deficiency or another physical cause no braintraining will help. You first have to cure the cause.

[Frith-Rae]

The same could be said about mental exercise and mental diseases.

Um, well no it can't. Not really.

And honestly I'm not trying to be nitpicky - because ultimately I agree with your encouragement of keeping the brain "young" by engagning in hobbies, brain stimulating activities and such as that. ABSOLUTELY.

But if your motivation is in any way becaused you think it will keep something like Alzheimers or Dementia at bay, you are mistaken. Or any "mental" disease. You can do Sodoku as the day is long but still be anxious, depressed, or suffer from any number of brain disorders.

Now, it WILL keep your brain functioning normally, longer, as long as you don't have any other co-existing problem that is keeping it from doing so.

It WILL keep you mentally sharp longer, as long as you don't have any disorder causing the mental slowness.

It WILL Keep you feeling younger mentally, as long as you don't have...you get the picture.

It IS good for everyone at any age to try and stay "mentally fit" if we want to go with that; but it isn't preventative the way physical fitness works for medical conditions.

However, a positive and active mind does help with physical health as well - and will help to keep you healthy overall - yes.

Hawking is an excellent example of someoen who didn't let their physical disease end every part of their life; showing how regardless of what your body can or can't do - you can continue to leave a fruitful, productive, and positive life.

Again not nitpicking, but being in a health related profession - I also just can't let someone go with any misconceptions that if they keep their mind active they won't succomb to Brain Disorders. Not saying that's what you were saying, but I don't want that impression to be out there .

On a related note - good luck with your dad! Depression as an actual diagnosis (not a natural part of aging) could also be effecting your dad as he gets older so if he continues to deteriorate in activity/mental acuity/mood or whatever you might want to try and get him in to see some specialists to figure out what's going on. Just because someone is 80 doesn't mean they have to live depressed (or whatever).

And when caught early, the effects of Alzhimers and Dementia can really be slowed down these days with some of the new medications; really keeping it "at bay" much longer than we use to could. So good luck and you're family is in my positive thoughts!