Health
Alzheimer’s patient, 90, says skiing and other activities keep him mentally sharp
Six years after his Alzheimer’s diagnosis, 90-year-old Zelik (Zel) Bocknek refuses to slow down — and he believes his active lifestyle is key to keeping his symptoms at bay.
Bocknek, a retired business owner in Toronto, Ontario, was 84 when he began experiencing minor memory slips, such as forgetting the day of the week and not knowing the answers to basic questions.
After being diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment due to Alzheimer’s, he was offered the opportunity to join a clinical trial studying an experimental dementia drug, lecanemab (LEQEMBI), which was approved in July 2023.
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Since the trial ended 18 months ago, Bocknek has continued taking the medication and still enjoys his favorite activities, including downhill skiing, painting and volunteering at the local zoo.
Six years after his Alzheimer’s diagnosis, 90-year-old Zelik (Zel) Bocknek (pictured at right with his son) still pursues his love of skiing. (Zelik Bocknek)
“You have to keep yourself active, both physically and mentally,” Bocknek told Fox News Digital in an interview. “It’s important to stay busy.”
“Last year was the first time in over 70 years that I didn’t ski because it was such a mild winter,” he said. “I’m keeping my fingers crossed that this year will be better.”
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Bocknek also regularly works out at the gym to stay in prime skiing shape, he and his wife, Gail Bocknek, told Fox News Digital during an interview.
His exercises of choice are stretch classes and strength training with weights.
Painting has become another passion project. Since starting with paint-by-numbers projects, Bocknek has cultivated his skills and now paints complex works of art for his six grandchildren to display in their bedrooms.
“I’m now on my 75th painting,” he said.
Zail Bocknek is pictured with his wife, Gail. “You have to keep yourself active, both physically and mentally,” Bocknek told Fox News Digital in an interview. “It’s important to stay busy.” (Zelik Bocknek)
Volunteering is also part of his regular routine — Bocknek works as a greeter at the Toronto Zoo, where he welcomes and guides visitors, and also puts in hours at a local hospital.
He also regularly plays bridge with three different groups throughout the week.
Bockneck has not experienced any additional cognitive decline, which he attributes to his busy schedule.
“I am what I am today because I have been very active throughout my life, physically and mentally.”
“I am what I am today because I have been very active throughout my life, physically and mentally,” he said.
“And it’s important to be able to laugh — a sense of humor gets you through a lot of difficult times.”
Fighting Alzheimer’s with exercise
Physical activity increases blood flow to the brain, which preserves the health of neurons, according to Dr. Gail Saltz, associate professor of psychiatry at the New York Presbyterian Hospital Weill-Cornell School of Medicine.
“This includes cognitive functions, memory functions and even centers related to mood,” Saltz, who has not treated Bocknek, told Fox News Digital.
“To be clear, this will not stop the progression of Alzheimer’s disease, but it may slow its cognitive effect.”
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Beyond cognition, exercise also helps to improve patients’ physical health, including their cardiovascular system, flexibility and muscular systems, Saltz noted.
“Improving or preventing the decline of these body systems also helps the Alzheimer’s patient by allowing them to be continued participants in daily grooming, walking, going to appointments, physically feeling better and extending life,” she added.
Spending time outdoors in the sunshine also increases serotonin, which can be beneficial for Alzheimer’s patients, an expert noted. (Zelik Bocknek)
Physical activity can also help to prevent nighttime wandering, a common danger among Alzheimer’s patients due to dysfunction in their circadian rhythms, according to Sherri Snelling, a gerontologist and spokesperson for Comfort Keepers in California.
“Keeping an Alzheimer’s adult physically active during the day will help to create more natural exhaustion so they can achieve better sleep during the night,” Snelling, who also has not treated Bocknek, told Fox News Digital.
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Spending time outdoors in the sunshine also increases serotonin, the expert noted, which can help to decrease agitation or episodes of “sundowning,” which is when patients have outbursts, delusions and paranoia during dusk.
Any activity that increases heart rate can slow the progression of Alzheimer’s, the experts agreed.
“Any movement releases endorphins, which are ‘feel-good’ hormones and natural pain relievers,” Snelling said.
“I’m relaxed and going on with my life as best I can, for as long as I can.”
Snelling recommended several specific activities that are most beneficial for dementia patients.
“Walking is great – and doing it with help is important, because balance issues may cause a loved one to fall,” she said.
Yoga or tai chi are also recommended for older adults with Alzheimer’s.
Bocknek has cultivated his painting skills and now creates complex works of art for his six grandchildren to display in their bedrooms. One of his paintings is displayed here. (Zelik Bocknek)
“Swimming or water aerobics are also wonderful for older adults – the natural resistance of the water is great for muscle strength, and the tactile feel of the water is soothing to AD adults,” Snelling said, adding that it’s important for a companion or caregiver to be present for safety.
Making music is also helpful, she said, as musical memory is retained the longest in an Alzheimer’s brain.
Staying social
Socialization and interaction can also help to slow dementia-related decline, according to Snelling.
“It has been reported that we can prevent cognitive decline and delay the onset of Alzheimer’s if we keep mentally active and frequently participate in social activities,” she told Fox News Digital.
This is another reason that Snelling is a proponent of in-home care.
“While they are able to do so, it’s important for Alzheimer’s patients to remain at home, in familiar surroundings,” she said.
Another of Bocknek’s paintings is pictured here. “I’m now on my 75th painting,” he told Fox News Digital. (Zelik Bocknek)
Alzheimer’s cases in the U.S. are projected to rise from six million to 13 million by 2050.
To others who may be experiencing cognitive symptoms, Bocknek says it’s important to take steps to get a diagnosis as soon as possible.
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“As soon as you feel there’s any sort of problem with your memory or your brain, go to get tested,” he advised.
For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health
When asked about whether he’s concerned about worsening symptoms, Bocknek said, “I’m not worried about it.”
“I’m relaxed and going on with my life as best I can, for as long as I can.”
Nearly 20% of American adults reported having an anxiety disorder in the past year, data shows — and many are more likely to feel uneasy and anxious as the sun sets.
While “sunset anxiety” isn’t an official medical diagnosis and does not appear in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), some mental health experts agree that it’s a very real phenomenon.
The symptoms aren’t limited to just anxiety, according to Andrea D. Guastello, PhD, a licensed psychologist at the University of Florida Department of Psychiatry.
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“It can be any psychiatric symptom that increases in frequency or intensity as the sun goes down or at night,” Guastello told Fox News Digital.
Symptoms may include feelings of depression, isolation and hopelessness that tend to increase at night, the expert said.
While “sunset anxiety” isn’t an official medical diagnosis and does not appear in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), some mental health experts agree that it’s a very real phenomenon. (iStock)
What is sunset anxiety, exactly?
Sunset anxiety occurs when a person starts to feel anxious as the sun goes down at the end of the day, Beena Persaud, PsyD, clinical psychologist with Cleveland Clinic Akron General in Akron, Ohio, told Fox News Digital.
“The lack of natural light can cause people to have less energy and motivation, restless discomfort, worry and nervousness about accomplishing tasks,” she said.
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People who have previously experienced episodes of anxiety and are generally more on the anxious side are more susceptible, Persaud said, as are people who have a heightened sensitivity to light changes and those who consider themselves to be “night owls.”
“Adults are more likely to feel it than teens or children, and this may be due to adults’ sense of responsibility for daily activities,” one expert said. (iStock)
There are no specific gender or racial tendencies for sunset anxiety, the expert noted.
“Adults are more likely to feel it than teens or children, and this may be due to adults’ sense of responsibility for daily activities,” she added.
Common triggers
The onset of sunset anxiety could be related to the circadian rhythm, which is the body’s internal clock that regulates many functions, according to experts. The circadian rhythm is influenced by the production of melatonin, Persaud said.
“We know there can be hormonal changes with winter and daylight saving time,” she told Fox News Digital.
“Since our production of melatonin is easily affected by light, early darkness can cause symptoms of both anxiety and depression. The body believes it should be getting ready for bed because of the darkness.”
“The lack of natural light can cause people to have less energy and motivation, restless discomfort, worry and nervousness about accomplishing tasks.”
Experts report an increase in seasonal anxiety from October to late March.
“The changing of the seasons and earlier darkness make it a prime time for people to experience both sunset anxiety and seasonal depression,” Persaud said.
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Anxiety can also occur if someone is carrying a heavy mental load of activities and responsibilities and struggling to complete them all by the evening.
“Darkness occurring earlier makes us physically and emotionally tired, and we feel as if the day is ending before we can achieve our daily goals,” said Persaud.
Tips to alleviate sunset anxiety
Guastello at the University of Florida offered the following tips to help curb anxiety around sunset.
If you experience worsening or persistent symptoms of sunset anxiety that don’t improve with the above lifestyle changes, experts recommend consulting with a mental health provider. (iStock)
Set reasonable goals for yourself.
Plan enjoyable activities around the time your anxiety usually kicks up.
Fox News’ Health newsletter brings you stories on the latest developments in health care, wellness, diseases, mental health and more.
TOP 3:
– Stem cell therapy could correct heart failure in children, say doctors and specialists at the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute in Melbourne, Australia.
– Doctors saved a pregnant woman and her baby after discovering a grapefruit-sized tumor in her chest cavity.
– A second-grade boy saved his friend from choking by doing the Heimlich maneuver in the school cafeteria – and it was caught on camera.
Researchers at MCRI are studying and reprogramming the potential of the blood to treat disease, specifically heart failure in children. (iStock)
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A Chicago woman was just weeks away from giving birth when a nagging cough led to a shocking medical discovery.
MaKenna Lauterbach, then 26 years old, began experiencing severe coughing fits in the last three months of her pregnancy.
“They would be so severe that I would become winded and nauseous to the point of vomiting,” she told Fox News Digital.
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Lauterbach, who lives on a farm in Washburn, Illinois, also began noticing shortness of breath while tending to her horses and goats.
“I give hay to the horses every morning and noticed how winded I was becoming with a dry cough,” she said. “My body felt like I just ran two miles, when, in reality, I had only walked to the barn and back.”
MaKenna Lauterbach, pictured with her husband, Parker, and new baby, Colter, was diagnosed with stage 3 melanoma. (Northwestern Medicine)
Some doctors dismissed Lauterbach’s symptoms, she said, repeatedly telling her, “It’s because you are pregnant.”
Eventually, though, when the coughing led to vomiting, doctors performed scans and detected a large, grapefruit-sized tumor in her middle chest cavity and right lung, which was completely blocking the artery to the right lung.
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“It’s extremely rare to see this type of tumor invading into the major blood vessels of the heart,” said Chris Mehta, M.D. — a cardiac surgeon with the Northwestern Medicine Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute who specializes in complex heart reconstruction — in a press release.
“It’s extremely rare to see this type of tumor invading into the major blood vessels of the heart.”
“We may see something like this once every few years.”
The tumor had put Lauterbach — and her baby — into respiratory distress.
‘In real trouble’
Lauterbach was flown to Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago, where a large medical team was waiting for her.
“MaKenna was in real trouble, and we had to act quickly – this wasn’t something that could wait for Monday morning,” said Lynn Yee, M.D., maternal-fetal medicine specialist at Northwestern Medicine, in the release.
Though he was born three weeks early, little Colter is a thriving, happy baby boy today. “As for myself, I am still healing, emotionally and physically,” said Lauterbach. (MaKenna Lauterbach)
“When you’re pregnant with a baby that’s nearly full term, your lungs already aren’t functioning at full capacity, and when you add a huge tumor on top of it, you run the risk of having respiratory collapse and cardiac arrest.”
The baby was not tolerating the contractions well and Lauterbach’s blood pressure was plummeting.
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The team performed an emergency cesarean section — and on Easter Sunday, a healthy baby boy, Colten, was born.
‘Blindsiding news’
After the delivery, it was time to address the tumor.
“The tumor was sitting on top of MaKenna’s heart and extended into the right lung, impacting all three lobes and the entire main trunk of the pulmonary artery,” said Kalvin Lung, M.D., a thoracic surgeon with the Northwestern Medicine Canning Thoracic Institute, in the release.
Doctors performed a biopsy and diagnosed Lauterbach with stage 3 melanoma.
The Lauterbach family lives on a farm in Washburn, Illinois. MaKenna Lauterbach first experienced severe coughing fits and shortness of breath when tending to the horses and goats. (MaKenna Lauterbach)
The doctors believe she may have had a melanoma on her skin at some point, and that “a cell or two escaped” and began growing inside her body.
“It was truly blindsiding news,” Lauterbach told Fox News Digital. “When I first got the diagnosis, I went through a roller coaster of emotions.”
“I was grieving the birth plan I had spent months preparing, while also dealing with the news of my unexpected diagnosis.”
After first feeling relief at having an answer, she said she felt some anger that her symptoms had been dismissed earlier. Then there was the fear of the cancer itself.
“Because of the tumor, the delivery happened so quickly. I was grieving the birth plan I had spent months preparing, while also dealing with the news of my unexpected diagnosis,” she said.
“My situation was serious, and while my clinical team was working on a plan to treat my cancer, it was comforting to know that the NICU nurses [at Northwestern] were taking such wonderful care of our son.”
Taking life-saving action
The team at Northwestern recommended that Lauterbach undergo three cycles of immunotherapy before surgery, which helped shrink her tumor by 30%.
Dr. Lung and Dr. Mehta removed Lauterbach’s entire right lung, parts of the main pulmonary artery and her lymph nodes.
The Lauterbach family is pictured with, left to right, Dr. Kalvin Lung, registered nurse Mary Schuessler and Dr. Lynn Yee. (Northwestern Medicine)
“The surgery was risky relative to other cancer surgeries due to the need for cardiopulmonary bypass, and the need to repair the main artery going to both lungs, but it was done under very safe conditions with well-proven techniques,” Dr. Lung told Fox News Digital.
“We were concerned that even with the extent of surgery, we would not be able to completely remove the tumor,” he went on.
If the tumor had grown just slightly more into the main artery going to the lungs, or if it had involved the heart, it would have been a different outcome.
But the surgery was a success, and Lauterbach’s latest scans showed no evidence of metastatic melanoma.
Colter Lauterbach is pictured with Santa ahead of his first Christmas. (MaKenna Lauterbach)
“Her outcome was very good,” Dr. Lung told Fox News Digital. “She has recovered from surgery almost entirely, and her main issue is shortness of breath, which is a consequence of only having one lung.”
“In terms of cancer prognosis, we expect it to be quite good, given that the entire tumor responded to the immunotherapy treatment she received.”
‘New normal’
Today, though he was born three weeks early, little Colter Lauterbach is a thriving, happy baby boy.
“As for myself, I am still healing, emotionally and physically,” said MaKenna Lauterbach. “My lung capacity is getting close to ‘the new normal’ for me and I’m finally starting to return to some sort of normal routine.”
“There are some days when the bad memories and the unknowns haunt my thoughts.”
Looking ahead, Lauterbach will continue immunotherapy treatments for one year, and the doctors will continue to monitor CT scans to ensure the cancer doesn’t come back.
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Her cancer is currently considered a “stable disease,” doctors say, which means no new tumors have appeared.
The new mother, who turned 27 in October, said she is looking forward to her son’s first Christmas on the farm.
MaKenna and Parker Lauterbach are pictured with their son, Colter, after he was born by emergency cesarean section. (MaKenna Lauterbach)
“Emotionally, I try my best not to let reality weigh on me, but there are some days when the bad memories and the unknowns haunt my thoughts,” she said.
“Colter and my wonderful husband, Parker, are what have given me the strength to make it through everything.”
For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health
For other women, Lauterbach emphasized the importance of “knowing your body.”
She advised, “If you know something isn’t right, don’t take ‘I don’t know’ for an answer. Find someone who will take your concerns seriously and would rather do extra testing just in case, as opposed to missing something life-threatening.”
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