By Winnie Suen, MD, board-certified geriatrician
The short answer: There's no single pill for a healthy brain, but everyday habits make a real difference. Moving your body, sleeping well, staying connected, eating well, protecting your hearing and keeping blood pressure in check all support memory and thinking as we age.
1. Keep moving
Walking, swimming, gardening and dancing all count. Movement improves blood flow to the brain and lifts your mood. Aim for something most days, even 10 minutes at a time.
2. Protect your sleep
The brain does important cleanup work during deep sleep. If you snore loudly, wake up tired, or doze off during the day, mention it to your doctor. Sleep apnea is common and treatable.
3. Stay connected
Visiting with friends, volunteering, church, clubs and classes all keep the mind active. Loneliness is hard on the brain as well as the heart.
4. Check your hearing and vision
Straining to hear tires the brain and can pull people away from conversation. If you or your family notice the TV getting louder, a hearing check is worth it. Hearing aids can help.
5. Know your numbers
High blood pressure, high blood sugar and high cholesterol affect the small blood vessels in the brain. Keeping them in a healthy range is one of the best things you can do for your memory.
6. Review your medications
Some common medicines, including certain sleep aids, allergy pills and bladder medicines, can cause fogginess in older adults. Never stop a medicine on your own, but do ask whether each one is still needed.
When to get a closer look
Everyone forgets a name now and then. It's worth checking in if memory changes are new, getting worse, or affecting daily life, such as missed bills, getting lost or repeating questions. Many causes are treatable.
How Discover Health can help: a memory and thinking check is part of every geriatric consultation. Dr. Suen looks for treatable causes first and helps you make a plan. Learn about Geriatric Consultation or call (202) 670-8838.