Mike I’ve always relied on packing lists for travel. Remembering which list and where I left the list are problematic, but I muddle through. Thankfully cycle touring journals help.

I have an older friend who has Covid induced dementia … classic Alzheimers… and my dad also suffered from dementia (vascular dementia induced by strokes) in his later years,  so I’ve had some recent real world experience in managing a couple of different types of dementia. 

That said, I’ve noticed there are age related cognitive changes, including memory, which are distinct from dementia. 

For example, I’m finding I take more time to sequence processes. There’s a tendency to dither and become sidetracked. So I need to discipline myself to stay focused. I used to do this automatically.

Rightly or wrongly I’m convinced that cycle touring helps me slow down cognitive decline. 

Combined with other exercise, good nutrition, no alcohol and keeping connected with family and friends, bicycle travel is a great way to keep the brain active.

Thank you so much for the video, I found it very moving. "I'm still here but I'm gone" ... What a moment, having Alzheimer's and at that point still able to get his emotions into that song.

That is a glorious video, and is compiled of clips from the biopic of Glen Campbell called "I'll Be Me", which is an absolutely shattering documentary of his final musical tour after his Alzheimer's diagnosis. It came out only two years after my father's death from Lewy Body Dementia, that cleft chin and smile and tenor reminded me of my dad so much I don't know how much of it I watched that wasn't hazed by tears. Glen was epically brave through it all, and we can only hope to follow that example if any of us have to travel that road.

I worked in geriatric nursing and saw how hard it is for those close to the patient to watch the personality changes that dementia brings. Heart wrenching. It must have been a rough time for you losing your father like this.

From the studies I've seen there are a couple of things that can decrease a person's risk of dementia:
1. Regular exercise, which almost everyone on this site already does.
2. Learn something new. Although a lot of people think that sitting in front of the computer playing games is mentally stimulating, it doesn't really confer any benefit. Our brain loses it's plasticity as we get older and learning something new can decrease your risk, specifically something like learning to play a musical instrument (if you can't already), building canoes, or archery.

It should also be noted that more than one study shows a very strong correlation between hearing loss and dementia, so if the people around you are mumbling you should get your hearing checked.