Photo by Ron Newkirk

In 2005, after years of searching for answers to chronic fatigue and "brain fog," Jay Smith, a former Los Angeles architect, was diagnosed with early-stage Alzheimer's disease. Since then Jay, now 69, has hardly kept quiet. A member of an early-stage advisory group for the Alzheimer's Association, he speaks at Alzheimer's awareness events. Last year, he organized a conference on memory loss, the first one led by someone with the condition. And he's working on a paper which he hopes to publish about the need for early diagnosis of Alzheimer's.

All this from someone with mild dementia? You bet. "There's still a lot of living to do," Jay says. We checked in with him to see how he's doing.

You have early-stage Alzheimer's. How are you feeling?
Very well, actually. I have mild cognitive impairment [MCI], the transition stage when people can no longer work or do much of what they're used to doing. But I'm very active. I was diagnosed early, at a stage where many people can't or won't get diagnosed because they don't meet certain criteria.

But more and more doctors are willing to diagnose the disease based on advanced imaging techniques and thorough neuropsychological testing, rather than waiting for the patient to deteriorate to a specified level of dementia. It's important for people to be diagnosed early so they can refocus their lives to do things they might not do otherwise.

What are you doing to delay the development of the disease?
In addition to taking my medications, I follow a program similar to one started by Dr. Dean Ornish, who studied heart health 20 years ago. It's based on a balance of aerobic exercise, a healthy diet and supplements, stress reduction and creative activities, plus love and intimacy with my wife and family.

For exercise, I walk one to two miles two or three times a week, often with my dog. I do regular strength training. I have a lot of room to do more exercise—not quite there yet.

I exercise my brain, too. I do Sudoku every morning. And I'm learning a musical instrument, the mandolin. I think of this as somewhere between mental exercise and creative work. And I read a lot, mostly books on consciousness and healing.

To reduce stress, I meditate and do yoga. I go out to lunch and read a book. I'm in three support groups. I've also made music a big priority. I'm in a group that plays old-time folk music. And my wife Marilyn and I are part of a community jazz chorus.

How do you think socializing helps you deal with Alzheimer's?
I was just commenting on a friend's blog about this. If we're passionate about what we're doing and telling others about it, then that in itself is good for your health. I look forward to interacting with my support groups. I get more out of it than I give.

How about your diet?
My diet has gradually changed to vegetarian. Last summer I was diagnosed with prostate cancer, and since then I've been vegan. Two years of working with my doctors on Alzheimer's has prepared me to work on [having cancer] and not to overreact. I'm focusing on diet, exercise, and stress reduction.

I also take supplements: omega-3, fatty acids, antioxidants, and multivitamins. It's basically every supplement currently under clinical trials. My doctor knows I'm taking all of these. He's lukewarm on some of them.

Any changes in your daily routine to deal with memory loss?
I'm very dependent on my Franklin-Covey Planner. I keep a calendar with my appointments. I write things down. I'm aware of the need to focus when I drive. But I'm a long way from trying to figure out what that funny octagonal red thing is. When I get to that point, I'll give up my keys. Mainly it's about staying busy and doing things I like. I take a nap when I feel like it. I manage my time, practicing my mandolin and learning a new tune. I work on Alzheimer's awareness projects. I catch up on my reading, and I meditate.

It sounds like in some ways you're healthier now than before you had Alzheimer's.
Absolutely! I'm absolutely living a healthier life now. Recently when I showed a friend something I'd written he said, "This is not a story about someone with an illness. This is about someone taking his life back."

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posted at 02:20:53 AM