We should always love and care for our brains but June is Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month and it serves as a nice reminder to talk and think about our brain health more often. Why is this important? The brain is the control center of our bodies; we can’t live without our brain. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia and it is on the rise! According to the Alzheimer’s Association, Alzheimer’s disease is the 6th leading cause of death in the United. Today more than 5 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease and this number is projected to increase as high as 16 million by 2050.
What can you do? Start taking care of your brain now with the Alzheimer’s Association’s 10 Ways to Love Your Brain:
- Engage in regular cardiovascular exercise that elevates your heart rate and increases blood flow to the brain and body.
- Take a class or learn something new.
- Quit smoking.
- Better manage cardiovascular disease risk factors—such as obesity and high blood pressure—as these negatively impact your cognitive health.
- Protect your brain. Brain injury can raise your risk of cognitive decline and dementia.
- Eat a healthy and balanced diet low in fat and high in fruit and veggies.
- Get enough sleep.
- Take care of your mental health.
- Stay socially engaged.
- Stump yourself with a good word find or take a different route to the grocery store.
Research shows that early detection of Alzheimer’s disease is key in slowing the progression of the disease and being prepared for the journey ahead. Talk with your provider about any member concerns you have and call the ADRC of Northwest Wisconsin at 877-485-2372 to schedule a memory screen. Memory screens can detect if there are possible issues that need to be followed up with a provider or memory clinic.
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Last Update: Jun 13, 2017 8:45 am CDT
