It’s never too soon, or too late to make the lifestyle changes necessary to help improve your brain health OR to make changes that may also help to reduce your risk for Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias.

And if you are living with dementia, taking care of your brain health may also improve your quality of life and even help slow the progression of the disease.

Host Liana Shannon speaks with Dr. Duncan Robertson about being brain healthy. Dr. Robertson is a senior medical director with Alberta Health Services specializing in seniors’ health.

In this video Dr. Robertson explains what the latest research tells us about the possibility of reducing our chances of getting Alzheimer’s disease and the variety of risk factors for developing Alzheimer’s disease.  He also shares examples of how we can start working to keep our brains healthy.

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Segment with Dr. Robertson: Understanding Brain Health

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At any time, you may scroll to the Search bar at the top of the page and type a specific question or topic.

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Additional Reading

Heads Up for Healthier Living

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Heads Up for Healthier Brains

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How much do you know about your amazing brain?

Take the Your Amazing Brain quiz to check your knowledge about your brain and how it works.  It’s a short quiz with ten questions – made available by the US Alzheimer's Association.

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Your Brain and Good Health: Make the Connection

The brain is one of your most vital organs, playing a role in every action and every thought. Just like the rest of your body it needs looking after.  It’s never too soon, or too late to make changes that will maintain or improve your brain health, changes that may also help reduce your risk of developing  Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias.

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Your Amazing Brain Quiz

At any time, you may scroll to the Search bar at the top of the page and type a specific question or topic.

Christine Bryden was a top civil servant and single mother of three children when she was diagnosed with dementia at the age of 46. "Dancing with Dementia" is a vivid account of her experiences of living with dementia, exploring the effects of memory problems, loss of independence, difficulties in communication and the exhaustion of coping with simple tasks.

Here is an audio file from Christine's book. Take a few minutes to listen to her words as she shares from the perspective of a person living with dementia. Feel free to make some notes as you listen.

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For Reflection...

After you listen to the recording, take a few minutes to reflect on the following questions.  Feel free to make some notes.

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Additional Reading

Dancing with Dementia by Christine Bryden: Available from 

http://www.christinebryden.com/books/book-dancing-with-dementia/

There are 2 types of cholesterol - good and bad. It's so important to keep it at healthy levels because high blood cholesterol is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke. And we know “what’s good for your heart is good for your brain.”

The Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada recommends that you ask your healthcare provider to check your cholesterol if:

Click here for more ideas about how you can manage your blood cholesterol.

Source: Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada

Blood Pressure Wallet Card

Download this wallet card from the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada to track your blood pressure measurements.

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The Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada recommends that you get your blood pressure checked at least once every year by a healthcare provider.

If you have been diagnosed with high blood pressure (or other related conditions), your doctor may recommend that you get it checked more often. Be sure to ask your doctor how often you should have your blood pressure checked.

Measuring your blood pressure regularly, as instructed by your doctor, is an important part of controlling it.

Source: Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada

The Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada recommends that you get your blood pressure checked at least once every year by a healthcare provider.

Healthy lifestyle habits can reduce your chance of getting high blood pressure. If you already have high blood pressure, these same habits will help control your high blood pressure and reduce your risk of future health problems.

Changes in your lifestyle will definitely help to lower blood pressure. Sometimes these changes are not enough. Many people with high blood pressure need to take 2 or more pills along with making lifestyle changes.

If you require medication, it is important to take it as prescribed.  Here are some tips to help you remember to take your medication:

  1. Place your medication out in the open where you can see it – that might be next to where you eat or next to your toothbrush (but away from children and pets).
  2. Use a pill organizer. They have a separate spot for you to put your pills for each day. Some have spots for different times of the day. A quick look can tell you if you have forgotten a pill or need to take one.
  3. Ask your pharmacist if you can get your medication in blister packs, also called bubble packs. Some pharmacies will make these for you with enough medication for a week or more.
  4. Take your medication at the same time every day. Ask your healthcare provider what time is best.
  5. Put a daily reminder alarm on your watch, cellphone, tablet or computer.

Source: Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canda

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Managing Your Blood Pressure

Download this resource from the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada for more details about managing your blood pressure.

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The Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada recommends that you get your blood pressure checked at least once every year by a healthcare provider.

Healthy lifestyle habits can reduce your chance of getting high blood pressure. If you already have high blood pressure, these same habits will help control your high blood pressure and reduce your risk of future health problems.

If you have been diagnosed with high blood pressure (or other related conditions), your doctor may recommend that you get it checked more often. Be sure to ask your doctor how often you should have your blood pressure checked.

Additional actions you can take to control your blood pressure include:

  1. Monitor your blood pressure.
  2. Take medication as directed.
  3. Eat less salt.
  4. Eat foods high in potassium.
  5. Follow a healthy, balanced diet with lots of vegetables and fruit.
  6. Aim for a healthy weight.
  7. Eat less Salt
  8. Keep active.
  9. If you smoke or chew tobacco, quit.
  10. If you drink alcohol, drink less.
  11. Manage your stress.

Source: Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada

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Managing Your Blood Pressure

Download this resource from the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada for more details about taking control of your blood pressure - check out pages 7-11.

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The Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada recommends that you get your blood pressure checked at least once every year by a healthcare provider.

There are certain factors that can increase the chances of a person getting high blood pressure.

There are factors you can’t change such as your age and family history of high blood pressure.

There are other factors that you can do something about such as your weight, eating habits, activity level and lifestyle.

Healthy lifestyle habits can reduce your chance of getting high blood pressure. If you already have high blood pressure, these same habits will help control your high blood pressure and reduce your risk of future health problems.

If you have been diagnosed with high blood pressure (or other related conditions), your doctor may recommend that you get it checked more often. Be sure to ask your doctor how often you should have your blood pressure checked.

Source: Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada

,

Managing Your Blood Pressure

Download this resource from the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada for more information about managing your blood pressure.

Download File

You can add fruits and herbs to your hot or cold water for flavour. Here are some ideas to try:

  1. blackberries + mint
  2. raspberries + cucumber
  3. strawberries + fresh basil
  4. chopped apples + a cinnamon stick
  5. pear slices + a drop of vanilla extract

To release the most flavour:

If you like some fizz in your drink, try carbonated water.

Click here for more ideas from Health Canada about making water your drink of choice.

Source: Health Canada

Part of the enjoyment of eating is choosing healthy foods that reflect your preferences. Your preferences and eating habits can be shaped by many things, including cultures and food traditions.

Including cultures and food traditions as part of healthy eating can help you:

Try these ideas to include cultures and food traditions:

  1. Attend a community event that celebrates with cultural food.
  2. Grow, harvest, fish, hunt and prepare food in traditional ways.
  3. Choose recipes that explore different ways to prepare and cook foods.
  4. Shop in places that sell the ingredients you need to make traditional foods.
  5. Talk with others about where the foods you eat come from and where you get them.
  6. Preserve and share family recipes. Recipes and food traditions are a part of family history.
  7. Host a potluck where everyone brings a traditional dish and recipe from their family background. Spend time sharing the meaning of these foods.
  8. Celebrate occasions and special holidays with cultural food traditions.

Click here for more ideas from Health Canada about cultures and food traditions in healthy eating.

Source: Health Canada