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A review by alex_ellermann
Keep Sharp: Build a Better Brain at Any Age by Sanjay Gupta
4.0
Sanjay Gupta and his ghostwriter make an excellent team.
'Get Sharp,' a book about dementia for the general public, is a trove of solid information, reasonable advice, and practical resources. It's geared toward three audiences: health and self-improvement types, people with early-stage dementia, and caregivers and family members. It has something to offer each of these audiences, as well as the general reader.
The book begins with an exploration of the science of dementia. It's clearly written and easily followed by the lay reader. The next section is the "self-help" part implied by the book's title, and Gupta's prescriptions strike me as entirely reasonable. Gupta's prescription? Exercise every day, prioritize getting a good night's sleep, don't eat garbage food, keep learning new things and taking on new challenges, and maintain your social network. From there, the book addresses audiences with more than a casual interest in the subject matter. With practical advice for people experiencing dementia, as well as for people in their care circles, Gupta discusses everything from current treatments to nursing homes to financial arrangements. As someone with a general interest in health, but no pressing need for dementia-related resources, I kind of glossed over this last part. Nevertheless, now I know it's there. I'll turn to it if I need it sometime in the future.
While Gupta is susceptible to a bit of name-dropping, I appreciated _Keep Sharp_'s practical approach to its subject matter. Gupta isn't trying to sell me anything, his ideas strike me as reasonable and practical, and he has provided me with useful information should I need it down the line. After all, it's hard to argue with "exercise, eat right, don't 'tough guy' yourself out of sleep, and stay engaged." If you do all those things and get dementia anyway, you'll still have lived a happier, healthier, better life than if you hadn't. It's pretty hard to argue with that.
Overall, this book is worth your time. I'll probably gift _Keep Sharp_, and I hope my friends and loved ones give it a go.
'Get Sharp,' a book about dementia for the general public, is a trove of solid information, reasonable advice, and practical resources. It's geared toward three audiences: health and self-improvement types, people with early-stage dementia, and caregivers and family members. It has something to offer each of these audiences, as well as the general reader.
The book begins with an exploration of the science of dementia. It's clearly written and easily followed by the lay reader. The next section is the "self-help" part implied by the book's title, and Gupta's prescriptions strike me as entirely reasonable. Gupta's prescription? Exercise every day, prioritize getting a good night's sleep, don't eat garbage food, keep learning new things and taking on new challenges, and maintain your social network. From there, the book addresses audiences with more than a casual interest in the subject matter. With practical advice for people experiencing dementia, as well as for people in their care circles, Gupta discusses everything from current treatments to nursing homes to financial arrangements. As someone with a general interest in health, but no pressing need for dementia-related resources, I kind of glossed over this last part. Nevertheless, now I know it's there. I'll turn to it if I need it sometime in the future.
While Gupta is susceptible to a bit of name-dropping, I appreciated _Keep Sharp_'s practical approach to its subject matter. Gupta isn't trying to sell me anything, his ideas strike me as reasonable and practical, and he has provided me with useful information should I need it down the line. After all, it's hard to argue with "exercise, eat right, don't 'tough guy' yourself out of sleep, and stay engaged." If you do all those things and get dementia anyway, you'll still have lived a happier, healthier, better life than if you hadn't. It's pretty hard to argue with that.
Overall, this book is worth your time. I'll probably gift _Keep Sharp_, and I hope my friends and loved ones give it a go.