Brain health refers to how well a person's brain functions across several areas. Aspects of brain health include:
- Cognitive health — how well you think, learn, and remember
- Motor function — how well you make and control movements, including balance
- Emotional function — how well you interpret and respond to emotions (both pleasant and unpleasant)
- Tactile function — how well you feel and respond to sensations of touch — including pressure, pain, and temperature (Source: National Institute of Aging, Cognitive Health and Older Adults; Retrieved: https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/cognitive-health-and-older-adults)
Dementia is a general term for a decline in mental ability severe enough to interfere with daily life, while Alzheimer's is a specific disease. Alzheimer’s is the most common cause of dementia (Source: Alzheimer’s Association, Dementia vs Alzheimer’s Disease, What is the Difference; Retrieved: https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/difference-between-dementia-and-alzheimer-s)
Alzheimer's disease leads to nerve cell death and tissue loss throughout the brain. Over time, the brain shrinks dramatically, affecting nearly all its functions. Visit the source website and take a tour of how the mind works and changes due to the disease (Source: Alzheimer’s Association, Inside the Brain; Retrieved: https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/what-is-alzheimers/brain_tour)
The Alzheimer’s Association provides resources for new and veteran caregivers including a help line. Visit the Alzheimer’s Association to learn more about these resources. (Source: Alzheimer’s Association, Alzheimer’s Caregiving; Retrieved: https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/alzheimers/caregiving)
Researchers around the globe are exploring how to prevent Alzheimer's. While Alzheimer's prevention has no definitive answers at this time, research has shown that we can take action to reduce our risk of developing it. (Source: Alzheimer’s Association, Can Alzheimer’s Disease be prevented?; Retrieved:https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/research_progress/prevention)