TAHLEQUAH —

Experts say mental fitness can delay the onset of symptoms of dementia, a disease for which there is currently no cure.

Staying mentally active was the key piece of advice offered during a free presentation Thursday morning about a top health concern for many aging citizens.

An estimated 5.3 million Americans have Alzheimer’s, a form of dementia that is the sixth leading cause of death among all Americans, and the fifth in those ages 65 and older. Women are more likely to have Alzheimer’s because they live longer to begin seeing the symptoms.

The cause of dementia is unknown, but three senior social work students from Northeastern State University addressed a group of men and women at First Baptist Church about postponing its effects.

Mandy Parish, Missy McClasson and Kari Stripling were eager to both entertain and educate the group, beginning with a word search puzzle to demonstrate the fun of keeping the mind limber.

“There are pills that can slow the symptoms,” Parish said, “but no cures yet. It helps more if they find it early.”

Symptoms include changes in mood or behavior, loss of initiative, disorientation to time or place, and problems with language.

Stimulating multiple senses also can prevention or prolong the onset of symptoms, like listening to music and smelling flowers, listening to rain while tapping fingers, or watching clouds while modeling clay at the same time, Stripling said.

Guests were interested in information that would allow them to better  assist friends and family members with dementia.

Clarice Turney said she wanted to learn more, “to recognize the symptoms and the differences in various kinds of dementia.”

Ann Harrison thought it might help her recognize dementia and help others, or even recognize it in herself.

“I want to do something ahead of time to help,” Harrison said. “I don’t have anyone in my family who has it, but I wish they could cure it.”

A riddle didn’t puzzle the group for long: A priest tells some friends he can walk on water at a certain time of year, but could he really walk on water?

The answer: Yes – in the winter, when it’s frozen.

“Learning about problems you’re facing as you age and how to combat them” is what most interested Louise Wells.

Wahlelle McFerrin hoped to learn about preventive steps she could take.

“It’s hard to be objective when it’s your loved ones,” McFerrin said. “But I wanted to understand more about preventing or postponing it.”

Dispensing good information and good resources is important, McClasson said.

Changing the everyday routine can help postpone symptoms. Playing an instrument and board games and working puzzles all stimulate the brain and thinking processes.

The brain is like a muscle, the students explained: If it’s not worked out, it gets the mental equivalent of flabby and out of shape, and sluggish.

“Change up the routine so you don’t just do the same thing every day,” McClasson said. “Use your opposite hand to brush your teeth or to use the remote, try getting dressed with your eyes closed or take a new route to work. Travel stimulates your brain.”

Vascular dementia prevention includes lowering blood pressure with exercise, a healthy diet and not smoking, Parish said.

“It also decreases the risk of diabetes, another factor in dementia,” she said.

Since her Sunday School class was invited, Lou Alice Mahaney came.

“To be honest, I came to learn how to recognize it in people we’re close to,” Mahaney said. “And I’m interested in the stages as it progresses.”

Symptoms of dementia can seem to appear when medications are inappropriately mixed. A doctor should always be informed about all medications a patient is taking.

Dementia interferes with living normal life, Parish told the group as she listed seven symptoms:

• Stage 1 has no impairment, and a person can live one to 20 years after being diagnosed.

• Stage 2 is very mild, with memory loss – forgetting familiar words and where  keys and everyday objects have been placed. These behaviors are not evident to family, friends and coworkers.

• Loved ones will begin to notice Stage 3 changes, which may be measurable in clinical interviews, name problems, retention loss and a decline in the ability to plan.

• Moderate levels are noticed in Stage 4, such as an impaired ability to perform math, like counting backward by sevens; decreased capacity to perform tasks such as planning dinner; and reduced memory of personal history. This stage can be diagnosed in a medical interview.

• Stage 5 displays moderate or severe symptoms, such as major gaps in memory; forgetting current address and phone number; confusion about the day, date or season; and needing help choosing proper clothing for the season and occasion.

• Personality changes are among the severe symptoms that come with Stage 6. Memory difficulties worsen and the person needs help with customary everyday activities. She may remember personal history imperfectly and need help with dressing so she doesn’t end up with her pajamas over her clothes. She may tend to be suspicious and delusional, have hallucinations, or engage in repetitive behavior, such as tissue shredding.

• Severe behavior, and loss of most abilities and bodily control – such as being unable to hold the head up or rigid muscles –mark Stage 7.

Parish said the presentation was a learning experience for her.

“Now I know what it’s like to be in the teacher’s shoes,” she said. “We wanted to get the information out and have fun. I really liked when we were laughing and thinking about memories.”

At the end of the program, cards with questions such as naming a favorite memory with a parent; what the reader has or had in common with siblings; or something he or she liked about a first boy- or girlfriend, were given to each participant. Gathering in small groups, they had a few minutes to share answers with one another.

“One of the things we’re doing in social work is getting social workers used to working with baby boomers,” Dr. Virginia Whitekiller said. “They’re the up-and-coming age group in this area of health concerns.”

One of the handouts suggested “101 Things To Do” with a person who has Alzheimer’s disease, such as reading out loud, listening to polka music, weeding flower beds, coloring a picture, have a spelling bee, singing, baking, sorting objects, dancing, putting a puzzle together, name the presidents or famous people, making and baking a pie or cookies or reminiscing about the first kiss or school days.