Promoting Healthy Brain Aging

Our Mission

The Healthy Brain Connection is dedicated to promoting healthy brain aging and reducing risk of dementia through evidence-based strategies.

We provide trustworthy resources and education to help health care professionals and their patients to promote healthy brain aging and reduce risk of dementia. We also partner with researchers on translational research (T4) and intervention development.

Our focus includes:

-An emphasis on the promotion of healthy cognitive aging across the life course.

-Primary and secondary prevention strategies for Alzheimer's disease and related dementias.

-Interventions at the local and community level.

The Need

More than 6 million Americans are now living with Alzheimer's disease, the most common form of dementia. Alzheimer's disease is the 6th leading cause of death nationally. It devastates the lives of those who endure it, and impacts the lives of friends and family.

Most people fear cognitive decline and dementia, and feel powerless to prevent it. As a result, they frequently avoid talking about cognitive decline with their health care providers. For a variety of reasons, many health care professionals report feeling uncomfortable discussing cognitive decline or diagnosing dementia. Together, these factors mean that opportunities for primary and secondary prevention are often missed.

What Can Be Done?

While there is currently no cure for dementia, solid evidence now indicates that up to 40% of dementia risk can be attributed to modifiable risk factors.

Changes in memory & other cognitive functions often precede a dementia diagnosis by decades, providing a pre-clinical window during which time primary and secondary prevention may be effective. Quality diet, physical activity, management of conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease and hearing loss can have a significant impact on risk of cognitive decline.

Supporting Brain Resilience

Nobody's brain is perfect

All of us have met challenges to our health and mental health throughout our lives. Our brains have been buffeted by the cumulative load of stress, sleepless nights, poor diet, alcohol, depression, grief, head trauma, hearing loss, acute illness and chronic health problems. Many of us have a family history of dementia, and It can be hard to feel much hope for the future.

The good news is that the brain is resilient - it can adapt and change! Research now indicates that the brain is still capable of changing and adapting in mid-life and even late life. Brain "plasticity" can be fostered, as can adaptive coping and cognitive reserve, with the potential to delay the onset of dementia symptoms even in the presence of Alzheimer's pathology.

Health Promotion and Disease Prevention.

EDUCATION

INTERVENTION DEVELOPMENT

EDUCATION

The Healthy Brain Connection offers thoughtful and engaging workshops, seminars and public speaking engagements on topics such as healthy brain aging, dementia prevention and risk reduction.

RESEARCH

INTERVENTION DEVELOPMENT

EDUCATION

We partner with researchers researchers to spread and implement evidence and best practice in cognitive aging and dementia risk reduction.

INTERVENTION DEVELOPMENT

We work with organizations, healthcare providers and researchers in disease prevention and health promotion to collaboratively develop evidence-based interventions and public health resources.

Promoting Healthy Brain Aging

Our Mission

The Need

What Can Be Done?

Supporting Brain Resilience

Nobody's brain is perfect

Health Promotion and Disease Prevention.

EDUCATION

INTERVENTION DEVELOPMENT

EDUCATION

RESEARCH

INTERVENTION DEVELOPMENT

EDUCATION

INTERVENTION DEVELOPMENT

INTERVENTION DEVELOPMENT

INTERVENTION DEVELOPMENT

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