Seniors Seek Fitness Of The Mind
'It Does As Much For You Mentally As It Does Physically'
MADISON, Wis. -- Seniors at the Badger Bowl in Madison are picking up a lot more than spares. They each have their reasons for meeting there regularly.
"It's a way to get out and be with people," said Alice Lundeen.
"It's very depressing to stay home and not feel good," said Rosalie King.
"It does as much for you mentally as it does physically," said Evie Newberry.
Doctors say Newberry couldn't be more right. They say the benefit of pushing and keeping yourself going is substantial.
Dr. Sanjay Asthana, head of geriatrics at University of Wisconsin Hospital and national memory loss expert, said daily activities such as bowling keep our brains functional.
At age 65, 33 percent of the population suffers from diseases such as dementia. That figure jumps to 40 percent by age 85.
"So the older we get, the higher the risk," said Dr. Wendy Adams of Dean Clinic in Madison.
"What differentiates us as human beings from older species is our ability to remember to communicate and express our feelings, and if someone is losing that, that so called humanness, it becomes very, very difficult over time," Asthana said.
Seniors say they are worried about it.
"I'm concerned about it," said Roland Lehman, 84. "I have a brother who's four years older, and he had Alzheimer's for at least six years. My father was afflicted with that, and I'm thinking diet might help me a bit. They ate a lot of greasy foods, and I don't eat too many greasy foods."
Doctors say Lehman is right on target. Research shows a link between memory diseases and vascular problems that can be brought on by high blood pressure and cholesterol.
"It is important, if you have high cholesterol, to have that treated," said Adams. "It is a risk factor."
There are many risk factors, but the good news is you can have fun taking them on.
King said bowling at the Badger Bowl makes her "feel like part of the world again."
You can also make new friends.
"Down at the center, I found a friend," Lehman said. "She and I are together a lot. It makes life so much sweeter. I recommend it."
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