How can I support memory and brain health as I get older?
Looking after blood pressure, activity, sleep, social contact, hearing and vision supports brain health. No approach guarantees dementia prevention, and no supplement should be presented as certain protection. Memory decline that disrupts daily life needs assessment.
Details
Build sustainable habits
Choose regular movement suited to your ability, varied meals and adequate sleep. Keep learning and maintaining social activities you enjoy. A memory-game app alone cannot offset smoking, uncontrolled blood pressure or ongoing isolation.
Review modifiable problems
Discuss hearing or visual impairment, depression and sleep problems. Review medicines with a clinician because some affect attention, but do not stop prescriptions yourself. Addressing these factors supports daily function and may relieve problems mistaken for memory decline.
Know when to seek assessment
Repeatedly getting lost in familiar places or struggling to manage medicines and money needs evaluation. Record examples and, if you agree, bring someone who knows you. Confusion that develops suddenly over hours or days needs urgent assessment rather than being attributed to normal ageing.
Related reading: Is Alzheimer’s disease inherited, and does an affected parent mean I will develop it?.