As adults age, it’s crucial to prioritize lifestyle choices that help keep brains healthy.
Dementia, an umbrella term for loss of memory, language and problem-solving abilities, can disrupt everyday living for older adults. The most common cause of dementia, Alzheimer’s, affects over 27,000 people aged 65 and older in New Hampshire.
UNH Extension is helping older adults learn and practice the most promising strategies for keeping their brains healthy as they age through a program developed by Mather LifeWays Institute on Aging.
Boost Your Brain and Memory is an evidence-based program that uses a unique, whole-person approach to brain fitness to help older adults remember things better, stay organized, pay closer attention to details and reduce stress — as well as reduce the risk of dementia.
The Theory of Cognitive Reserve explains how brain networks generate new neural connections as we age. A holistic approach to brain fitness can modify risk factors and may prevent or delay up to 40% of dementia incidence.
Granite Staters can sign up for an in-person program or a self-paced online program to learn how to support their cognitive performance through physical activity, mindfulness techniques, dietary habits, spirituality and social connections.
Did You Know?
Research has shown that learning something new increases cognitive function more than doing something a person already knows how to do. For example, if an older adult completes a daily crossword puzzle, increasing the difficulty level of the crossword can help challenge their brain. Older adults are also encouraged to engage in new activities, like playing a new game, practicing a new instrument or learning a new language.
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