VIENNA, Va. – “A failing mind, not body, is the biggest reason people need long-term care today,“ said Penny Gilbert, Vienna-based partner of LTC Financial Partners, the nation's most experienced long term care insurance agency. “That shouldn't be, so we're going to give our clients information to help stay mentally fit.“ To that end, the company is offering a free guidebook and Web links to helpful resources.
The guidebook is “Dignity for Life: Facts That Can Protect Your Assets & Quality of Life.“ It states that Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia account for over 30 percent of long-term care claim dollars, significantly higher than for circulatory disease, Parkinson's, stroke, or broken bones due to osteoporosis. The book recommends simple screenings that can detect dementia at its earliest and most treatable stages. “Dignity for Life” sells for $8.95 on Amazon.com, but we're giving it away free,“ said Gilbert.
The Web links refer people to easy, sensible measures for keeping one's memory and reason intact years longer. These measures fall into three categories:
1. Brain fitness exercise. There are links to programs that hone one's perception, memory and concentration. “For brain as well as muscle, you need to use it or lose it,“ said Gilbert.
2. Nutrition. There are links to lists of what to eat and drink to promote brain health. Some of the tips are as simple as drinking enough water to irrigate brain cells properly.
3. Aerobic exercise. There are links to recreation and exercise options that all have a common aim: sending plenty of oxygen to brain cells.
The free guidebook and links are available at www.ltcfp.us⁄PennyGilbert⁄news⁄brain-fitness-links.html. Information about LTC Financial Partners and Gilbert is available at 703-281-0914 or www.ltcfp.us⁄PennyGilbert.