Supporting Brain Health as a Key Component of Healthy Aging

June is Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month. It’s the perfect opportunity for us to open the conversation surrounding brain health, and share that Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia are a public health crisis. We are all at risk of developing Alzheimer’s and dementia as we age, raising the question “what can I do to keep this disease at bay?” While there is currently no cure and no treatment to stop the progression of Alzheimer’s, great work is being done in this field, and preventive steps could delay some symptoms

?According to a recent review of research by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM), there is “encouraging but inconclusive” evidence for three types of interventions to prevent or delay Alzheimer’s dementia or age-related cognitive decline: increased physical activity, blood pressure control and cognitive training. Studies and clinical trials are underway in these areas and more with the hope of building more evidence that healthy behaviors can be a weapon in the fight against Alzheimer’s and dementia.

?At Tivity Health, we understand the importance of providing our members with meaningful steps and opportunities for long-lasting health and vitality. We offer a number of solutions that not only help members feel better and build strength but also support their cognitive and emotional health.

?We advance vitality through our healthy lifestyle brands.

?SilverSneakers is the nation’s leading program designed specifically for seniors, promoting greater health engagement and accountability through regular exercise (e.g., strength training, aerobics, flexibility) and social opportunities at up to 22,000 locations nationwide and online through SilverSneakers Live and On-Demand. However, our offerings go beyond fitness. Our online instructors offer workshops on topics such as nutrition, falls prevention, and stress reduction. This year, we launched an eight-week workshop on SilverSneakers Live that focuses on cognitive health.

?We’ve also expanded our offerings with a program that will further support cognitive health and keep seniors mentally engaged. ?Through GetSetUp, an interactive learning community, SilverSneakers helps older adults boost their well-being beyond traditional fitness programs. GetSetUp offers a broad selection of live, interactive classes to keep members mentally active. Some of these courses specifically address brain health and ways to stay cognitively fit. ?

?Recently, we’ve partnered with UsAgainstAlzheimers to provide free, evidence-based courses for health and wellness professionals about how to help people reduce their risk of dementia and Alzheimer's.

?We are proud to sponsor the Brain Health Academy, to help promote the connection between lifestyle interventions and brain health.?The Brain Health Academy includes six courses covering the science and interventions for key modifiable risk factors for dementia, including nutrition, sleep, social isolation and loneliness, physical inactivity, and hypertension. Developed in collaboration with highly respected partners who have expertise in each area, the courses will be taught by preeminent experts in the field using content drawn from the latest research.

?The Academy launched this month and Tivity Health will sponsor the “Physical Activity and Dementia” course, on October 1 at 1 p.m. ET. The seminar will highlight the fact that physically active people are less likely to experience a decline in their mental function and have a lower risk of developing dementia. It moves from knowledge to application by providing actionable guidance and tools to help providers effectively address this opportunity with patients and families.

?It’s important for us to highlight the amazing connection between physical fitness and preventive measures for Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia. Through Tivity Health’s involvement with the brain health academy, our live online workshops, and the virtual learning opportunities offered through GetSetUp, we strive to support both the physical and cognitive health of SilverSneakers members.

?Even though this month will come to an end, it doesn’t mean we should stop the conversation about Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia, and the healthy behaviors that support healthy aging. To learn more, visit www.usagainstalheimers.org.