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Risks for Alzheimer’s

March 21, 2019

Risk factors have been identified to assess your risk of developing Alzheimer’s. Some are uncontrollable, such as age, while others can be influenced by your choices.


Uncontrollable Factors:

Age – is the greatest known factor for Alzheimer’s. One out of three people who are 85 or older have the disease.


Family History – is another strong risk factor. Those who have a parent or sibling with the disease is at a higher risk of contracting Alzheimer’s.


Genetics – Science has identified several risk genes and deterministic genes that influence the odds of developing Alzheimer’s. Risk genes increase the likelihood of developing the disease but do not guarantee that the person with the risk gene will indeed develop the disease. The gene with the strongest link to the disease is apolipoprotein E-e4 (APOE-e4); those who have this gene have a one in four chance of developing Alzheimer’s.


A deterministic gene is a gene that directly causes the disease. Those who have a deterministic gene will develop Alzheimer’s. Science has so far found three deterministic genes that lead to Alzheimer’s – amyloid precursor protein (APP), presenilin-1 (PS-1) and presenilin-2 (PS-2).


Controllable Factors:

Recent research has found links of risk factors we can control through our general lifestyle and wellness choices.


Head Trauma – research has shown a strong link between serious head injuries and further risk of Alzheimer’s.


Healthy Heart – there is growing evidence of a link between heart health and brain health. Those who suffer from high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes and high cholesterol have a higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s.


Ethnicity – because Latinos and African Americans have higher rates of vascular disease (see above), they may also be at a higher risk for Alzheimer’s.


Healthy Aging – overall healthy aging may also keep your brain fit. Keep your weight within recommended guidelines, avoid tobacco and excessive alcohol use, be socially involved and exercise your brain and your body.

A group of elderly women are sitting around a table with plates of food

Toddlers and Centurions – Intergenerational Activities

April 1, 2021
They say “It takes a village to raise a child”; Knowledge, wisdom, and unconditional love by seniors have a lasting effect on children. Children can also bring happiness and smiles to seniors. We can reminisce about the past when extended families lived close together on the same street or in the same town and interacted frequently. Manor on the Hill (pre-pandemic) had a “Adopt a Grandparent Program” where preschool children came every month to do activities with the residents. This was the most popular activity for both generations. Meaningful activities between seniors and children can be fun and educational. Here are examples of things that the seniors can talk about bringing back nostalgic memories and educating the children at the same time: Tin of Spam: Most children will have no idea what it is however seniors will have memories of tinned meat that could be transported and stored without refrigeration. Rotary phone: Dialing numbers one-by-one, one mistake or busy line and had to start all over again Payphones and a dime in their penny-loafers to call home. Many may have used their dime for a treat at the corner store. Printed references like the phone book, TV Guide and an Encyclopedia set Gramophone records; Side A & B with a handful of songs Silent movies & news reals Rationing during the wars Games they played
A woman in a wheelchair is holding a certificate on the front page of a leominster champion newspaper

107 Year Young Manor Resident in Leominster Champion News

September 26, 2019
Norma Schofield, a resident of Manor On The Hill, celebrating her 107th birthday with family and friends. She also appeared in Leominster Champion Newspaper. Click here to read what her son has to say.
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