WEDNESDAY 21st OCTOBER 2020 ~ BLOG POST

PROMPT ~ Write about your biggest fear.

DEMENTIA 

by John Yeo

   As an independent healthy young man I developed into an equally independent healthy middle aged adult. I have been fortunate enough to share my life with strong minded independent women and my attitude to life has always been secure and ongoing. Like many others of my age group, I have always felt thoroughly competent and many years younger in my outlook than my years would outwardly suggest. I’m sure most people feel so much younger and stronger than their years and perhaps this is a natural reaction to the aging process.

   As I grow older in years I feel I have always known my biggest fear and I take steps to avoid succumbing to the sad mental decline that is dementia. I dislike and I will eternally dread the thought of becoming totally dependent on others for many of my needs. I try hard to use my brain in as many ways as possible to attempt to delay the certain loss of mental acuity that invariably comes to us all, with the slow passing of the years. I keep fit and healthy and enjoy a balanced diet.

   I use my brain in as many ways as possible and hope this is helping to slow and perhaps stem the tide of the insidious onset of any form of dementia.

   I check my memory processes continually and carry out personal exercises in generating visual and verbal memory constructions.

    I’m aware of the early symptoms of Mild Cognitive Impairment and I continually check myself for any of these telltale signs of cell degeneration.

  I read up on anything and everything I can find to become fully  aware of the signs of dementia and I research for encouraging changes in diet or lifestyle to combat this mental insubordination.

  Perhaps I should say my absolute biggest fear and dread is succumbing to dementia and slowly becoming an insidious burden on my dear wife Margaret.

© Written by John Yeo