Brain Health for Seniors

The brain affects many of our daily functions and activities – some may even surprise you. While cognitive abilities – how well you reason, learn, think and remember – is often the most focused on, there are other areas that affect our overall brain health.

For example:

• Motor function – physical movement and balance
• Sensory – your eyesight, sense of taste, smell and hearing
• Emotional function – how well you interpret and respond to your emotions
• Tactile function – responding to sensations of touch, including pressure, pain or temperature

Conditions that can play a role in cognitive decline include age-related changes in the brain, stroke, injury, depression, substance abuse as well as diseases such as Alzheimer’s and related dementias.

There are other factors such as family genes, environmental and lifestyles that may contribute to a decline in thinking skills and the ability to perform everyday tasks, such as driving, preparing meals, managing medications and finances.

Research suggests there are steps you can take to reduce your risk of impairment. These small changes add up and can have an influence now and going forward.

• Manage chronic health problems, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, depression.
• Talk with your doctor about any medications you are on and the possible side effects.
• Treat age-related hearing or vision loss.
• Limit use of alcohol or other substances.
• Consider a diet with foods that are low in animal fats, and high in vitamins and fiber.
• Maintain a healthy weight.
• Get enough sleep, generally seven to nine hours each night.

While there is much research into the causes and treatments of cognitive decline, there are currently no approaches that have been proven to prevent Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. However, maintaining a healthy diet, engaging in physical activity/socialization and managing chronic conditions, as referenced above, all contribute to overall good health.

For more detailed information and insights visit www.nia.nih.gov/alzheimers