May is Mental Health Awareness Month and June is Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month. Since brain health is sometimes affected by age-related changes in the brain, mood disorders (depression), or diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, we encourage you to talk about brain health with your older patients. Here are some suggested questions to consider:
- How is their balance? (motor function)
- How do they respond to emotions? (emotional function)
- How do they feel and respond to pressure, pain, and temperature? (tactile function)
- How well do they think, learn, and remember? (overall cognitive health)
Encourage your patients to practice a few of the tips below to help prevent Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Daily doses of the following can improve your patients’ brain health for years to come:
- Maintain an active mind: Take or teach a class, read books, play games, cultivate an old hobby.
- Manage their high blood pressure by encouraging them to monitor it at home and to be sure to get regular provider check-ups.
- Stay connected with social activities: Volunteer, visit friends and family, join a walking group.
- Manage stress: Stay positive, exercise regularly, practice relaxation techniques.
Information about additional care for seniors can be found on the EmblemHealth website. You may also share these supportive resources with your patients who are living with a brain disease: