Dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease, often begins quietly, long before noticeable symptoms appear. While occasional forgetfulness can be a normal part of aging, persistent memory loss and subtle shifts in cognitive function are not. Recognizing the early signs of dementia is essential for timely intervention, improving quality of life, and enhancing care. Take our Dementia Knowledge Quiz to learn more about how diet, exercise, and social connections can help protect your brain.
How Much Do You Know About Dementia
Dementia often develops gradually, and its early signs can be easy to overlook. The first indicators of cognitive decline may include persistent short-term memory loss, confusion, or difficulty completing everyday tasks. Did you know that nearly 5.8 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease, the most common form of dementia, and this number is projected to increase significantly in the coming years?
Understanding these early clues is critical. Participate in our quiz to discover how much you know about dementia’s early warning signs and improve your awareness.
Keep Moving to Keep Your Mind Sharp
Physical activity is not only important for your body but also for your brain. Engaging in regular exercise—like walking, cycling, or even dancing—helps to boost circulation, ensuring that your brain gets the oxygen and nutrients it needs to function at its best. Studies have shown that regular physical activity is linked to a reduced risk of dementia, particularly Alzheimer’s. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week to strengthen your mind and protect against cognitive decline.
Think you know the best exercises for brain health? Take our quiz to test your knowledge!
Nourish Your Brain with a Brain-Healthy Diet
A diet rich in nutrients can help shield your brain from the effects of cognitive decline. Adopting a Mediterranean-style diet, which includes plenty of whole grains, vegetables, fruits, legumes, and healthy fats like olive oil, can provide your brain with powerful antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds. Flavonoid-rich foods like berries, apples, and leafy greens are especially beneficial in protecting brain cells.
Did you know certain foods could reduce your dementia risk? Take our quiz to see if you can identify the best brain-boosting foods.
Cultivate Social Connections to Sharpen Your Mind
Social engagement is key to mental resilience. Interacting regularly with friends, family, and community groups stimulates your brain, encouraging memory retention and cognitive function. Strong social ties also help to combat feelings of isolation, which have been shown to increase the risk of dementia in older adults.
How strong is your knowledge about the benefits of socializing for brain health? Take our quiz to find out!
Practice Mindfulness to Protect Your Mind
Chronic stress is harmful to brain health and can contribute to cognitive decline. Practicing mindfulness and meditation are powerful tools for managing stress and maintaining mental clarity. Even a few minutes each day of mindful breathing or meditation can help reduce stress and boost your cognitive abilities.
Think mindfulness could reduce your dementia risk? Test your understanding with our quiz!
Protect Your Hearing, Protect Your Mind
Recent studies have shown a strong connection between hearing loss and cognitive decline. Hearing loss can lead to social isolation and is linked to an increased risk of developing dementia. Protecting your hearing by avoiding loud environments and using hearing protection can help preserve both auditory and cognitive health.
Want to learn more about how hearing affects brain health? Take the quiz and test your knowledge!