More to the Story with Staley: Brain Health

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — We just finished up the month of June, which is Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month.  President Ronald Regan initiated the observance back in 1983.  And there is now a new study which indicates there are things we can do to keep our minds as strong as possible.

When it comes to brain health, Tennessee, Georgia and Alabama are almost always in the top ten of states that have the highest death rate from Alzheimer’s Disease.

Tennessee is regularly one of the highest states in the age-adjusted death rate from dementia.

It’s a serious problem as we all get older. Most of us are aware of it.

Sarah Lenz Lock is a senior vice president for AARP’s Policy and Brain Health Division.

“We survey many people all the time. We know that staying sharp is one of their biggest concerns,” Lock said.

But a brand-new survey, backed by AARP and the Global Council on Brain Health, indicates a healthy brain is very possible for many folks.

Deterioration is not inevitable as we age. But information on your own time is one of the keys. Your health care provider is not the be-all end-all.

“If you engage with your provider, all of our surveys indicate they certainly know about this. But they might not be talking with their patients about it,” Lock continued.

The study indicates it’s harder to manage brain health for some communities than others.

Women appear to be two-thirds of the dementia cases. African Americans are twice as likely to have brain disease. Hispanics one and half times more likely.

Lock says following the “Six Pillars” of brain health is major step in staying sharp.

“Be social, connect with others. Engage: use your brain, manage stress, exercise, get quality sleep and eat right. All of these things will help your brain health as you age,” Lock explained.

All of us are getting older. But there are solutions to problems. For most of us, doing the right things can make a huge difference.