South Heartland District Health Department

For brain health: keep your mind in motion, and more!

June 05, 2026

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What steps are you taking to take care of your brain’s health? Do you know how to recognize the warning signs of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia?

This month, the health department is focusing on how we can keep our brains their healthiest, at every age. The Alzheimer’s Association designates June as Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month, so it’s a good time for us to raise awareness about brain health!
Dementia is not a normal part of aging. Occasional forgetfulness can happen with normal aging, but dementia signs are more serious and begin to affect daily life and independence.

Occasionally forgetting names, but remembering them later is common with aging. Frequently forgetting important information and not remembering it later is a possible warning sign.

Misplacing things from time to time and retracing your steps to find them is common with aging. Putting things in unusual places and not being able to go back over steps to find them is a possible warning sign.

With dementia, we can lose our memory, language, problem-solving and other thinking abilities. We might have difficulty concentrating and struggle to understand and express our thoughts. We might experience confusion, apathy, poor judgement and impulsive behavior.

There are several types of dementia. Each type of dementia is associated with certain kinds of changes in the brain that can cause our brain cells to malfunction and die. So, when diagnostic tests find the kind of changes in the brain that are associated with Alzheimer’s, then individuals are said to have Alzheimer’s dementia. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia in the United States.
There are certain risk factors that may increase someone’s chance of developing Alzheimer’s disease:

     •   Age — Risk increases as people get older, especially after age 65.
     •   Family history — Having a parent or sibling with Alzheimer’s may increase risk.
     •   Heart health problems — High blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, obesity, and smoking can affect           brain health.
     •   Head injuries — Serious or repeated head injuries may raise risk.
     •   Lack of physical activity — Limited exercise can impact brain and heart health.
     •   Social isolation — Less social interaction may increase cognitive decline.
     •   Poor sleep — Ongoing sleep problems may affect memory and brain function.
     •   Hearing loss — Untreated hearing problems have been linked to dementia risk.

When people are unable to remember or are confused about familiar people, places or things, it can be very challenging for their caregivers, families, and friends. Here are some tips from the Alzheimer’s Association for ways you can help support people with memory loss:

     •   Stay calm. Although being called by a different name or not being recognized can be painful, try not to                   make your hurt apparent.
     •   Respond with a brief explanation. Don't overwhelm the person with lengthy statements or reasons.                     Instead, clarify with a simple explanation.
     •   Show photos and other reminders. Use photographs and other thought-provoking items to remind the               person of important relationships and places.
     •   Travel with the person to where he or she is in time. If the person's memory is focused on a particular               time in his or her life, engage in conversation about recollections with an understanding that this is his or               her current reality.
     •   Offer corrections as suggestions. Avoid explanations that sound like scolding. Try: "I thought it was a fork"            or "I think she is your granddaughter Julie."
     •   Try not to take it personally. Alzheimer's disease causes your loved one to forget, but your support and                understanding will continue to be appreciated.

While there is no sure way to prevent Alzheimer’s, there are healthy habits that may help lower the risk of memory loss and thinking problems. To support your brain’s health, make sure you practice these daily healthy habits:

     •   Keep your mind active – Read, do puzzles, learn new skills, or enjoy hobbies.
     •   Manage health problems – Control high blood pressure, diabetes, and cholesterol.
     •   Stay social – Spend time with family, friends, and community groups and volunteer when possible.
     •   Sleep well – Try to get quality sleep each night.
     •   Exercise often – Physical activity helps blood flow to the brain.
     •   Eat healthy foods – Choose fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats. Limit                             processed foods and added sugars.

To learn more, check out the wealth of information at the Alzheimer’s Association website: alz.org, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website: cdc.gov, or talk with your healthcare provider.

For connection to resources about brain health or to join a local Community Health Improvement Plan strategy team working to improve Senior Health, contact South Heartland District Health Department.

This June, consider adding a healthy habit for your brain. No matter what your age, practice managing your health problems, staying social, sleeping well, exercising often, eating healthy foods, and keeping your mind active!

Michele Bever is executive director for the South Heartland District Health Department, serving Adams, Clay, Nuckolls and Webster Counties in Nebraska. She may be reached at 402-462-6211 or toll free at 877-238-7595.

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