Brain Awareness Month

Maybe you’re tired of reading about brain health and dementia, but when you realize that your life is impacted not only by your brain’s health but also the mental acuity of your loved ones you might welcome the opportunity to learn more.Consider these numbers from the Alzheimer’s Association:

• Two-thirds of Americans have at least one major potential risk factor for dementia;
• The lifetime risk for Alzheimer’s at age 45 is 1 in 5 for women and 1 in 10 for men;
• Nearly 12 million Americans provide unpaid care for people with dementia;
• That unpaid care amounts to more than 19 billion hours.

That’s why 10 years ago the Alzheimer’s Association designated June as “Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month.”

“We want people to know there are steps they can take to keep their brains healthy,” said Matthew Baumgart, senior vice president, Health Policy, Alzheimer’s Association. “We also want to encourage anyone experiencing memory or thinking problems to talk to their doctor. There are many possible causes — and if it is Alzheimer’s disease, there are numerous benefits to getting a timely diagnosis.”

Risk factors for dementia

The greatest known risk for dementia is increased age: Most individuals with the disease are 65 and older, and after age 65, the risk of Alzheimer's doubles every five years.

Family history is also a major risk factor, meaning those who have a parent or sibling with dementia are more likely to develop the disease. Genetics is also a risk factor.

Other risk factors include head injuries from falls and accidents and certain medical conditions, such as high blood pressure and diabetes.

“While age, family history and heredity are all risk factors we can't change, research shows we can influence other risk factors through healthy living and management of health conditions,” according to the Alzheimer’s Association.

Ways to reduce your risk

Wearing a helmet when biking and a seatbelt in the car can help prevent a head injury. Also fall-proof your home with adequate night lighting, decluttering, securing rugs and adding handrails and grab bars.

Medications and healthy diet can help control diabetes and blood pressure, medical conditions known to increase risk for dementia.

Here are 5 other healthy brain habits from the Alzheimer’s Association:

1. Challenge your mind with word games and puzzles, or learn a new skill, language or sign up for a lifelong learning class. And while keeping up with technology can be challenging, it helps your brain stay sharp;
2. Keep your body moving, whether it’s walking or swimming, gardening or dancing;
3. Quit smoking – and it’s never too late;
4. Eat a healthy diet that is low in fat and high in vegetable and fruits, such as the MIND diet;
5. Follow healthy sleep habits (turn off screens, control sleep apnea) so your sleep is restorative.

The American Society on Aging has a similar list but arranged its brain health tips into 6 pillars: be social; engage your brain; manage stress; ongoing exercise, restorative sleep and eat right.

How to help a loved one

Sharing these tips with a loved one is certainly a positive step, but here’s what you can do if you notice a change in their memory, thinking or behavior.

The Alzheimer’s Association has compiled a 4-page PDF to help you address memory concerns in others. The 10 steps include how to address the subject (usually best one-on-one) and how to encourage a visit to the doctor (offer to go with them).

The Alzheimer’s Association also offers free educational programs including Dementia Conversations and provides a free 24/7 Helpline - 800.272.3900.