HEADS UP FOR HEALTHIER BRAINS

1. HEADS UP FOR HEALTHIER BRAINS What Everyone Should Know About Brain Health and Alzheimer’s Disease

2. Your Brain • The brain is one of your most vital organs, playing a role in every action and every thought. • Just like the rest of your body it needs to be looked after.

3. Alzheimer’s Disease • A progressive, degenerative disease that destroys vital brain cells. • Affects a person’s ability to think, remember, speak and even perform simple tasks. • No known cause – No known cure • IS NOT A NORMAL PART OF AGING

4. Reduce Your Risk • Some risk factors you cannot control: • Age • Family history • Reduce other risk factors and improve your brain’s ability to sustain long-term health.

5. Take Action for a Healthier Brain • Challenge your brain • Be socially active • Choose a healthy lifestyle • Protect your head

6. Challenge Your Brain • Regularly challenging your brain may reduce risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. • Try something new • Change the way you normally do something

7. Challenge Your Brain • Brush your hair with your non-dominant hand • Pick a different route to the grocery store • Play games – chess, cards, crosswords • Learn something new

8. Be Socially Active • Social interaction appears to have a protective effect against Alzheimer’s disease. • Pick up the phone • Get together with friends • Spend time with people who have a positive outlook • Volunteer • Join a club

9. Choose a Healthy Lifestyle • Healthy food choices • Be active • Track your numbers • Reduce stress • Choose wisely • See your doctor regularly

10. Choose a Healthy Lifestyle • Make healthy food choices • Canada’s Food Guide • 5 - 12 servings grains • 5 – 10 servings fruits and vegetables • 2 – 4 servings dairy • 2 – 3 servings meat & alternatives

11. Choose a Healthy Lifestyle • Make healthy food choices • Limit sodium • Limit caffeine • Limit fat • Watch portion sizes

12. Choose a Healthy Lifestyle • Make healthy food choices • Anti-oxidants • Omega 3 oils • water

13. Choose a Healthy Lifestyle • Be active • Regular moderate physical activity

14. Choose a Healthy Lifestyle • Track your numbers • Blood pressure • Cholesterol • Blood sugar • Weight • Waist circumference

15. Choose a Healthy Lifestyle • Reduce stress • Relaxation • Meditation • What works for you?

16. Choose a Healthy Lifestyle • Choose wisely • Avoid smoking • Limit alcohol consumption

17. Choose a Healthy Lifestyle • See your doctor regularly • Annual check up • Specific health concerns

18. Protect Your Head • Brain injuries, especially repeated concussions, are risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease • Wear a helmet • Use safety features to avoid falls • Wear a seatbelt

19. Take Action for a Healthier Brain • Challenge Your Brain • Be Socially Active • Choose a Healthy Lifestyle • Protect Your Head

20. Genetics and Aging • Genetics • Familial Autosomal Disease • Accounts for only 5 – 10 % of Alzheimer’s disease • Age • Most significant risk factor • 1 in 13 over age 65 • I in 3 over age 85

21. Heads Up • It’s never too soon, it’s never too late

22. Additional Resources • Alzheimer Society of Windsor & Essex County 242 Lauzon Road, Windsor 519-974-2220 • www.alzheimer.ca • Canadian Standards Association www.csa.ca • Canada’s Food Guide www.hc-sc.gc.ca • Canada’s Physical Activity Guide www.hc-sc.gc.ca