for memory should not be assumed to prevent dementia simply because they are described as “brain boosting.”
What Can Support Brain Health?
There is no guaranteed way to prevent every case of Alzheimer’s disease, and some risk factors, including age and genetics, cannot be changed.
Nevertheless, overall cardiovascular and neurological health are closely connected.
General health measures that may support healthy aging include regular physical activity, avoiding smoking, maintaining social engagement, getting adequate sleep, managing blood pressure, treating diabetes appropriately, addressing hearing loss, and following a nutritionally balanced diet.
These habits should be viewed as components of overall health rather than promises that dementia can be prevented.
Why Early Evaluation Can Be Useful
Recognizing cognitive changes early does not guarantee that progression can be stopped, but evaluation can still provide important benefits.
A clinician can investigate potentially treatable causes of memory difficulties, assess medications, perform cognitive testing when appropriate, and