Researchers are learning a lot about how to keep our brains healthy, sharp and more resilient to dementia later in life. In fact, about 45% of dementia cases can be prevented or delayed by improving daily habits.


With Brain Health Week February 24 – March 1 approaching, the dementia experts at Amazing Place, a local non-profit that has for almost 30 years worked to empower families facing the challenges of dementia, want the public to know that there are things that you can do now to live a longer mentally active life by changing some basic behaviors.


“We want to encourage area residents to be their own brain health champions,” says Mehrnaz Gill, MSG, the Amazing Place Clinical Training Director. “That’s why we offer free presentations to the community on a variety of brain health topics as well as workshops and series on Memory Preservation and the Aging Journey.”


The Amazing Place professionals share evidence-based knowledge and simple tips in these presentations, including the following:


Stay social. Isolation is bad for your brain. Engaging with others is one of the very most important things in keeping your brain sharp. So, reach out to your friends, join a club, church or group with like interests.


Sleep reboots our brain. Getting a good night’s sleep is critical to brain health. Deep sleep pushes debris from our brain and allows us to wake up mentally refreshed and ready to go.


Little tricks can help you keep sharp. From changing driving routes to putting your watch on a different wrist, you can jumpstart your brain. Try brushing your teeth using your opposite arm!


Get your hearing and eyes checked. Research shows us that hearing and seeing well are keys to keeping our brains engaged. So don’t delay annual check-ups.


Women are 5x more likely to get Alzheimer’s. There are physical and social reasons for this, but by adapting healthy lifestyles, women can help level the playing field. Eating well, exercising, staying social and sleep are key components in memory preservation.


“There are so many ways we can do to help protect ourselves to live brain healthy and more productive lives,” says Gill. “We encourage everyone to learn more about cognitive health and to know that even with a diagnosis it’s possible to slow progression of the disease and find paths forward for a purposeful life.”


Amazing Place will open its second location, Amazing Place West in Katy in late Spring. The organization serves those diagnosed with mild to moderate dementia, caregiving families and friends, and those

interested in brain health through a variety of programs and services. For more information on the organization’s Day Program and Cognitive Stimulation Therapy sessions, or to register for upcoming classes and workshops go to www.amazingplacehouston.org