What is ONE way to maintain Brain Health?
-Mental stimulation: Learning new concepts and problem-solving (e.g., puzzles)
-Physical Activity
-Balanced Nutrition
-Staying Socially Connected
-Sleep and Stress Management
What is the main organ responsible for thinking, memory, and emotions?
The Brain!
Is there a cure for Alzheimer's disease currently?
-No, there is no current cure for Alzheimer's disease.
When a person with Alzheimer's forges something, showing empathy means doing what?
Being patient and understanding instead of getting frustrated or upset
Why does moderate exercise reduce the risk of dementia?
Exercise improves blood flow, oxygen delivery, and encourages the growth of new neural connections. Over time, this reduces the risk of cognitive decline.
Why does a diet rich in Omega-3s and antioxidants support Brain health?
These nutrients reduce inflammation and protect brain cells from damage, lowering the risk of cognitive decline.
What protein accumulates in the brain due to sleep deprivation?
Beta-amyloids
What is the difference between natural aging and Alzheimer's disease
-Level of impairment: Alzheimer's disease impacts one's daily life while natural aging is an inevitable process in one's life and occurs at a constant rate
How can staying socially connected support empathy and Brain health?
Social interaction engaged memory, language, and emotional areas of the brain, helping people understand and relate to others
Explain how poor Brain Health can impact daily life EMOTIONALLY and PHYSICALLY
Poor Brain Health can affect daily life emotionally by causing problems with memory, focus, mood, and emotional control, which can lead to stress, anxiety, or difficulty making decisions. Physically, it can impact coordination, movement, and reaction time, making everyday activities like walking, playing sports, or completing tasks harder and less safe
-When you don't get enough sleep, the Brain can't effectively clear beta-amyloid. This causes it to build up, which disrupts deep sleep and increases Brain damage linked to Alzheimer's disease
Which type of DIET is linked to lower cognitive decline?
MIND Diet = Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay
What is the difference between Alzheimer's disease and dementia?
- Dementia is an umbrella term to describe cognitive conditions while Alzheimer's disease is a type of dementia.
What are some challenges that caregivers face when supporting someone living with Alzheimer's?
-Increased emotional stress: the constant demands of care-giving may create stress and exhaustion
-Second guessing: Caregivers may wonder whether they are doing enough or making the right decisions
Imagine someone combines poor sleep, no exercise, and little social contact. Explain how these habits interact to impact Brain health.
Lack of sleep prevents toxin clearance, no exercise reduces blood flow, and isolation limits stimulation. Altogether, it accelerates cognitive decline.