5 Tips to Support Brain Health During Alzheimer's Month

June is Alzheimer's and Brain Awareness Month, an annual celebration that aims to raise awareness of the devastating effects of Alzheimer's disease and educate people about brain health, including its factors.

More than 6 million Americans are currently living with Alzheimer's disease, including more than 410,000 New Yorkers, a number that is set to increase 12.2% to 460,000 by 2025.

Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia and one of the most deadly diseases in the country. According to the Alzheimer's Association, one person gets the disease every 65 seconds in the US.

It's more important than ever to learn more about this disease, as well as these five simple steps that can improve brain health, reduce the risk of the disease, and delay the possible onset of Alzheimer's or dementia.

1. Use it or lose it. Whether doing crossword puzzles, reading, or painting, mentally stimulating your brain can help you stay young.

2. Get enough sleep. Lack of sleep can cause memory and cognitive problems. Sleep is essential to maintaining the brain, such as getting rid of toxins that have built up in your brain.

3. Stay social. One study found that memory was cut in half compared to social adults. Isolation or loneliness in the elderly is linked to a 50% increased risk of dementia and a 26% increased risk of all-cause mortality, according to the American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry.

4. Choose a healthier lifestyle. Studies show that moderate exercise can improve brain function, especially in the areas responsible for learning and memory. Improving these parts of the brain can combat the pre-Alzheimer's changes that are often seen in your 40s. Talk to your doctor about fitness programs that may be available at no additional cost, such as: B. RenewActive from UnitedHealthcare (https://newsroom.uhc.com/experience/gym-alternatives.html).

Lifestyle choices that help reduce cardiovascular risk, such as exercise, healthy eating, low to moderate alcohol consumption, and quitting smoking, also appear to slow down the aging of the brain.

1. Manage Chronic Illnesses. Common illnesses in the elderly, such as diabetes and heart disease, can affect brain function. Talk to your doctor about treatment plans and how to manage chronic conditions like diabetes.

In addition to these five steps, it's important to have a memory assessment every year. A registry can improve your doctor's ability to diagnose memory problems earlier.

Memory tests can be taken during your annual spa visit, which is free for anyone with Medicare. Ask your doctor to do a memory test the next time you visit a doctor.

UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage members can take advantage of the HouseCalls program, which offers an annual health and wellness visit from the comfort of their own home at no additional cost. A licensed HouseCalls doctor (not available in all regions) can perform a memory analysis and refer you for further treatment if necessary.

You can also see this list of 10 common warning signs at www.alz.org/alzheimers-demenz/10_signs. If you think that you or someone you love has severe memory loss, see your doctor.

Dr. Steven Angelo is the New York City Medical Director for UnitedHealthcare Medicare & Retirement.

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