Foster good brain health habits: do not wait until you see symptoms or obtain a diagnosis, start caring for your brain health NOW! Start fighting this disease before you are at risk.

• Diet: Foods that are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids and the Mediterranean Diet have been shown to help reduce the risk of memory loss by preventing plaques that build up between neurons and reduce inflammation in your body. See More…
• Exercise: Along with diet, exercise can help lower cholesterol and plaques associated with it. Walking has also been shown to improve brain health. See More…
• Stay under Control: Keep cholesterol, diabetes and blood pressure under control through either diet, exercise, or medications.
• Be a quitter: Quit habits like smoking and consume less alcohol. For more information on Red Wine and Dementia Click Here…
• Interaction: keeping your brain healthy is as easy as talking to someone. Keeping your mind active, having a hobby, spending the day doing activities with friends can all help keep your brain health on track.
• Take the Memory Number Test: stop by Columbus Memory Center any time to take the only vital sign for the brain, The Memory Number. See More…
• Value sleep: Make certain that you obtain enough sleep each night to feel refreshed upon awakening. If you are not obtaining enough sleep, see your Primary Care Doctor and find the cause. Treat sleep apnea if diagnosed.

Increasing Cognitive Reserve*: By learning something new every day it will make you smarter than you were yesterday. This builds your brain’s cognitive reserve.

• Read: If you have an interest in something, start reading about it. Reading keeps your mind and vocabulary sharp.
• Get a Hobby: start a new hobby or take an old one to the next level of difficulty by becoming an expert in it.
• Tinker: If you are mechanically inclined, take things apart and reassemble or build something from parts you have, like a bicycle, watch, etc.
• Continuing Education: now is the time to buy a computer-based language program or enroll at your local college. Some state institutions will offer free courses to those 65 and over.
• Play Games: Work on a jigsaw puzzle, Sudoku, or crossword puzzle daily. On the top right corner of our website, there is a puzzle piece that leads to a daily puzzle.

* Cognitive Reserve – refers to the amount of memory and intellect each mind possesses before illness is recognized. Enhancing cognitive reserve is a way in which additional abilities can be created to compensate for declining memory and thinking. In other words, the more you know, the longer it will take for you and others to see a deficit.

Participate in Research: If you have a family history of Alzheimer’s/Dementia or even if you don’t, please consider participating in Clinical Research.

• Research is for those 50+ (depending on the study) who meet certain requirements.
• Clinical research is always in need of participation from all ethnic backgrounds.
• Research starts with prevention studies and progresses as the disease progresses. Starting early, with a preventative study could keep the disease at bay!

Be an advocate: doing so helps the future of Alzheimer’s Care and Research!

• Spread the word: social media is one of the fastest means of spreading information. Follow Columbus Memory Center on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn to spread the word about Alzheimer’s care. The more we educate the faster we will find a cure!
• Vote: Contact your local, state, and national representatives! Read the Comprehensive Care for Alzheimer’s Act and contact your representative to tell them you want them to back this bill if you agree with its contents.

Talk it out: Inform your family of your final wishes. It is a difficult subject that no one wants to talk about but if this step is taken it will alleviate a large amount of stress on the caregiver.

• Making a Will while you are still of sound mind can help keep the peace in families. Not only is Dementia a life changing diagnosis for you, it is also one for your family. It is hard to know how your family will react during this difficult time, spelling out what should be done can calm the waters before you set sail.
• Choose a trusted Power of Attorney. Someone who can make logical decisions under pressure.
• Choose a Caregiver that you believe will give you the best care in difficult situations.
• Sign an Advanced Directive.
• Prepare your finances for the possibility of long-term care.

The Alzheimer’s Association offers a large volume of information on care, care facilities and more. Click here for more information from the Alzheimer’s Association…