Use It or Lose It
This popular Sunday morning activity involves filling in squares with words and is great for keeping the mind sharp.
Normal or Not: Forgetting where you put your glasses or car keys.
What is normal?
Often called "brain berries," these small blue fruits are packed with antioxidants that protect brain cells.
What is blueberries?
This simple daily activity increases blood flow to the brain and is often cited as the #1 way to reduce the risk of dementia?
What is walking?
Managing this "silent" condition, also known as hypertension, is one of the best ways to prevent small strokes in the brain.
What is high blood pressure?
True or False: You can actually grow new brain cells and pathways at any age.
What is True? (neuroplasticity)
Normal or Not: Forgetting what a set of keys is actually used for.
What is not normal?
This "good" type of fat, found in salmon and walnuts, is a primary building block of the brain.
What is Omega-3 fatty acids?
This vital "recharge" period allows the brain to clear out toxins and consolidate memories from the day?
What is sleep?
Spending time with friends, family, or at a senior center helps prevent this, which can otherwise lead to cognitive decline.
What is social isolation (or loneliness)?
Learning one of these (ex: Spanish, French, or ASL) is one of the best ways to challenge your brain’s memory centers
What is a new language?
This "p" word describes the brain’s ability to process information, which naturally slows down slightly as we age.
What is processing speed?
This diet, a hybrid of the Mediterranean and DASH diets, was specifically designed to prevent cognitive decline.
What is the MIND diet?
Activities that challenge this (like Tai Chi or Yoga) help to prevent falls, which is a major factor is protecting brain health.
What is balance?
This habit should be avoided at all costs, as it damages blood vessels and reduces the amount of oxygen reaching the brain.
What is smoking?
This type of "unplugged" social game (like Bridge, Chess, or Mahjong) requires strategy and social interaction, which provides a double-boost for brain health.
What is a board game?
Normal or Not: Taking a bit longer to learn a new technology or a complex task, like using a new smartphone.
What is normal?
Staying hydrated is vital; even mild cases of this condition can lead to temporary confusion or "brain fog."
What is dehydration?
This internal organ actually uses about 20% of the oxygen and calories you consume, even though its only 2% of your body weight.
What is the brain?
Research shows that correcting this sense (often with a small device) can significantly lower the risk of developing memory problems.
What is hearing (hearing aids)?
This term refers to the brain’s ability to "work around" age-related changes by using different regions to perform tasks.
What is cognitive reserve?
This is the most common cause of significant memory loss in older adults, but it is not a normal part of aging.
What is Alzheimer's Disease?
This yellow spice, common in curry, contains curcumin, which is being studied for its anti-inflammatory effects on the brain.
What is turmeric?
This type of exercise, which gets the heart rate up, has been shown to physically increase the size of the hippocampus (the memory center).
What is aerobic exercise?
You should always bring a list of these to your doctor, as some can interact and cause symptoms that look like memory loss.
What are medications?