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Healthy Aging: Supporting Brain Health

Joe Rose, M.D., Medical Director
Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield

 

As we age, our mind and bodies will change. Some changes are expected, like finding a gray hair or needing more rest after a long week. Others may come as a surprise, like changes to your mental health or a diagnosed condition.

Understanding the way our bodies evolve over time can empower you to make informed lifestyle choices that help keep you healthy. This is especially true for your brain health, which impacts things like how well you think, learn, control movements and respond to emotions.

Building habits to support brain health now may be more important than ever. According to the United States Census Bureau, people are living longer, and by 2030, roughly one in five Americans will be age 65 or older.

Think of the older adults you know. They often play key roles in our community as leaders, caretakers, business owners, volunteers, and more. As America ages, health insurers, doctors, and employers may see more older adults needing support. To help aging adults stay healthy and engaged in the community and at their workplaces, it is important to be mindful of brain changes as we age.

Monitoring Our Brain Health

To monitor brain health, it is important to know which changes are normal as we age, and which are not. A healthy brain is one that has healthy cognitive function. Cognitive function is the ability to think, learn, and remember things clearly. It also includes intuition, judgment, and language. As we age, it is normal to experience a mild decline in some of these abilities. Data show that many of our thinking abilities peak at age 30 and on average, begin to slowly decline afterwards. Common changes can include being slower to remember words or names and having trouble paying attention or multitasking. The symptoms are usually subtle and don’t disrupt everyday life.

Memory and focus problems beyond expected changes may be signs of more serious cognitive impairment. These signs include trouble completing tasks, understanding, remembering, following instructions, and solving problems. The symptoms are usually more noticeable and can have a greater impact on daily activities. For example, you may miss appointments or get lost in familiar places. Other signs include having trouble following conversations or a set of instructions.

If you experience any of these symptoms, it’s time to talk to your doctor.

Prioritizing Brain Health

While getting older can seem scary, there are many things we can do to help keep our brains healthy as we age. Healthy aging starts with prevention, and research shows that healthy habits can go a long way. Healthy habits can help prevent cancer, diabetes and heart disease and may also reduce the risk of cognitive decline.

A few simple ways we can help keep our brains happy and healthy are:

  • Regular physical activity: Consistent exercise helps facilitate oxygen and growth factors in the brain. Walking, cycling, or swimming are all low-impact ways to keep your body moving while having fun.
  • A healthy diet: Fruits, veggies, lean proteins and whole grains can help reduce the risk of heart disease and keep your mind sharp.
  • A proper sleep schedule: Getting a recommended 7-9 hours of sleep for adults aged 18-65 and 7-8 hours for those aged 65 and older can help support clear thinking and sustained attention.
  • Social engagement: Attending a social event or regularly engaging with friends can help reduce feelings of isolation and stress common among older adults.

In addition to incorporating healthy habits, seeing a healthcare provider regularly is important. Arkansas Blue Medicare members can earn Healthy Blue Rewards by getting exams, preventive screenings, tests and completing other health-related activities.

 Healthy Aging at All Ages

 Taking good care of ourselves and our communities requires an investment in health at all ages. At Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield, we work hand in hand with healthcare providers and community partners to look out for our members’ physical, emotional, and social health. We hope to support Arkansans of all ages by providing access to several resources — so you and the ones you love can live your best life your whole life long.

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