Health For The Aging Brain
Health For The Aging Brain: Be Sure To Take Care Of Your Body As Well As Your Mind.
A great amount of literature and discussion about aging involves how we should care for our bodies as we age. We’re told to exercise, eat right, and to avoid smoking and too much sun. But what about our brain? Our mind? What can we do to help our brain stay healthy? The Administration for Community Living provides current, evidence-based information and resources related to brain health, such as the following.
Developing a brain disease or injury as you age depends on a mix of your family’s genes, your environment, and your health choices.
Diseases and Conditions that Affect Brain Health include:
- Genetic makeup
- Certain medicines, smoking and excessive alcohol
- Health problems like diabetes and heart disease
- Diseases like depression and Alzheimer’s
- Brain injury
- Poor diet, insufficient sleep, lack of physical and social activity
Some risks to brain health cannot be controlled or prevented, like your genes.
Others, like health choices, are under your control. For example, you can:
- Take care of your health
- Eat a healthy diet
- Be careful not to fall
- Drink alcohol moderately, if at all
- Get active and stay active
- Sleep 7-8 hours each night
- Learn new things
- Connect with your family, friends, and communities
Your doctor or health care provider can provide information about taking care of your health, and there are a number of resources on the Internet and at libraries on healthy choices in diet, exercise, and social activities. For more information on local programs and resources about health and aging, you can contact your local Area Agency on Aging (AAA) by calling 1-800-677-1116 or visiting the website www.eldercare.gov.
Alternatives for Seniors is a print and online directory that specifically caters to the housing and personal care concerns of senior citizens and their families since 1992. Call our Senior Specialists at (888) WE-ASSIST (888-932-7747) or visit the Alternatives for Seniors website to begin searching for the perfect home for you or your loved ones. Also, be sure to join our Facebook community and follow us on Twitter.
BLOG Date: Thursday, January 8, 2015
Writer: Ryan Allen