Build Your Mental Health Toolkit
OCT 02, 2024Think of a mental health toolkit as a collection of strategies you can access whenever you need them. It’s about equipping yourself to handle challenges in a healthy way.
Read MoreMemory is something patients bring up often in my clinic. As you age, you may struggle to remember words, or find it’s harder to recall the names of acquaintances. People ask me if they should be concerned about these issues and what to do about them? Here’s answers to common questions I get asked about brain health.
Forgetfulness is a common concern, especially as we age. However, it's important to distinguish between normal age-related memory changes and potential signs of dementia.
No, not necessarily. While some people with cognitive decline may progress to dementia, most do not. In fact, only 10% of people with mild cognitive impairment develop dementia within a year.
Keep in mind there are many different kinds of dementia. While Alzheimer’s disease is very common, memory problems can also be caused by vascular disease dementia, which results from constricted or blocked blood vessels which can occur with a stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA).
Stress, depression, anxiety, and certain medications can all affect your cognitive functioning. It's important to rule out or treat these factors before diagnosing cognitive decline.
The short answer is probably not. Despite the different options, I generally don’t recommend supplements and dementia medications should be used with some caution if you decide to try them.
There are steps you can take to manage the condition and maintain your quality of life. Start by maintaining regular routines, staying socially active, and participating in activities that keep you engaged. Everything that is good for the heart is also good for the brain. Make sure you stay physically active, exercise regularly, and eat a healthy, low fat and low cholesterol diet. Use alcohol in moderation if at all. Flex your brain muscle by playing games (cards, chess or memory games), take a class, try new recipes or consider learning a new language.
Several organizations are available to help individuals and families cope with dementia. Your provider can also direct you to appropriate agencies and resources.
Think of a mental health toolkit as a collection of strategies you can access whenever you need them. It’s about equipping yourself to handle challenges in a healthy way.
Read MoreEating a good meal before trick or treating, planning a costume party, and keeping an eye on candy consumption are just a few tricks for a healthier Halloween.
Read MoreWe encourage all to get their flu and other vaccinations each year to avoid these and secondary issues or even hospitalization.
Read MoreWhen you need local health information from a trusted source, turn to the CHI Health Better You eNewsletter.