Save Your Brain
What are you doing to reduce your risk of cognitive decline, dementia, and Alzheimer's disease?
Take the following quiz to find out!
About 23 percent of American age 65 and older experience cognitive decline (such as difficulty with memory). Cognitive decline is often the first step to dementia and Alzheimer's disease. Today, Alzheimer's disease is the sixth leading cause of death (in Iowa and the U.S.) and it kills more people than breast cancer and prostate cancer combined. No medications can prevent or cure Alzheimer's disease; however, you can reduce your risk of cognitive decline, dementia and Alzheimer's disease by up to 70 percent.
Take the quiz above to find how much you are already reducing your risk.
WHEN YOU'RE DONE, LOOK BELOW TO SEE MORE WAYS YOU CAN IMPLEMENT HEALTHY HABITS FOR A HEALTHY BRAIN.
Save Your Brain: Coming Out of Covid Safely
Offered in partnership with Broadlawns Medical Center, join us for this free virtual program as we cover what's currently happening with the Covid-19 pandemic.
Coordinated by Dr. Patricia Quinlisk, this free series will be presented three Mondays in March from 1-2 p.m. After a short presentation, the rest of the time will be devoted to answering your questions.
March 15: The Present - Vaccines, Masks and More
What kind of vaccines are there, which should I get, what about side effects?
Presented by Yogesh Shah, MD, Chief Medical Officer, Broadlawns Medical Center
March 22: Soon - Going Back to Normal Activities
When can we go to restaurants, gyms, get back together with family, friends?
Presented by Thomas Benzoni, DO, Emergency Medicine, Methodist Hospital
March 29: The Future - When Will Things Get Back to Normal?
When will things be normal? When can I stop wearing masks? Will I need more vaccines?
Presented by Patricia Quinlisk, MD, State Epidemiologist Emeritus - Iowa
When: Mondays, March 15, 22 and 29
Time: 1-2 p.m.
Location: Zoom Virtual Webinar
Join us for FREE by registering at http://bit.ly/covidspring2021 (link)
Coming Out of Covid Safely Event Flyer
Save Your Brain 10-Week Programs Offered
Beginning in late January 2021, there will be two new 10-week Save Your Brain virtual learning opportunities sponsored by the YMCA and Broadlawns Medical Center. Both program options will address the following topics.
- Eat Well
- Get Moving
- Sleep Enough
- Avoid Meds Bad for Brain
- Address Chronic Conditions
- Stay Sharp
- Be Social
- Keep Hydrated
- Be Stress Resilient
- Hear Well
Option 1 - Save Your Brain (Lecture Only)
Tuesdays, 11:30am-12:30pm January 26 - March 30, 2021 Cost $50
This 10-week program consists of weekly one-hour Zoom lectures on reducing your risk of dementia. You may access additional information and tools at the www.savingyour brain.org website. The class is lecture only.
Option 2 - Save Your Brain (with Individual Coaching)
Thursdays, 1-3pm January 28 - April 1 2021 Cost $200 (scholarships may be available)
This 10-week program consists of weekly two-hour Zoom meetings with lectures, time for discussion, and goal setting. Support, as well as tools and resources, will be provided to enable you to reduce your risk of developing dementia. Participants will also receive individual sessions with: a Registered Dietitian, a Geriatric Pharmacist, a YMCA Fitness Consultant, and a Health Coach. Also provided are 10 weekly one-hour special Save Your Brain fitness classes at the Wellmark YMCA in Des Moines.
To register for either option:
Go to http://bit.ly/SaveYourBrain2021 or call the Wellmark YMCA at 515-282-9622
Learn More:
Here are the different ways you can start reducing your risk today!
- Eat Well with the MIND Diet
- Get Moving with Physical Activity
- Stay Sharp with Cognitive Engagement
- Be Social with Friends and Family
- Small changes add up! Keep track of your goals with this Goal Log
(Example log here)
For more information about cognitive decline, dementia, and Alzheimer's disease see the following:
For Healthcare Providers:
For Groups—Printable Resources:
What others are saying:
"I had already changed some of my lifestyle due to recommendations from the "Save Your Brain Quiz"! .......Then I mistakenly shared it with my husband! ......He is now insisting that we have berries with every meal, we park in the furthest parking space away from our destination, and we no longer eat supper at 10:00 pm!"
"But all kidding aside, it was definitely a good thing to share because now - through easy changes in diet, physical activity, brain engagement, and social interactions - we are both well on our way to saving our brains and our bodies!"
- P.L., Iowa nurse