Hello - I'm new to the forum. It looks like it's filled with good information. According to 23andme, I have two copies of the APOE e4 genes, predisposing me to LOAD. I think I also have variants for ARMD (A69S and 4402H).
I'm 70 yo and in pretty good health considering some autoimmune conditions (Lupus, Sjogrens, and Hashimoto's) which I keep from impacting me by diet (a customized version of the autoimmune protocol - mostly meat, veggies, beans, eggs, occasional fruit), meds (immunosuppressants: mycophenolate and hydroxychloroquin), and vitamin D3, fish oil, and ubiquinol.
I'm impressed by Stavia's understanding. Everything she has written in the primer rings true with my experiences. I'm excited and relieved to have found this forum as a resource.
My mother had memory loss as she aged, although her dementia was never diagnosed. I realize more in hindsight how hard she worked at remembering. She had lists of friends' names she would review in the morning and rehearsed them throughout the day. Although her short term memory became very poor, she lived to 95 and was always clear headed in the moment and an excellent conversationalist.
I worry about losing my ability to work, a freelance Job which requires thinking and organization, as I have no other retirement resources other than a small amount of equity in an otherwise-mortgaged house, and social security. I notice that when I take on jobs requiring more thinking, while it's difficult for me, I'm definitely smarter and clearer after the struggle! I've also recently taken up button accordion, learning by ear, which is a strictly right-brained effort and a very difficult, but fun, project. After reading the Primer, I'm going to go join the neighborhood gym, which has been on my list for months now.
Thanks again for being there - I look forward to reading more of the posts!