Last week I mentioned the Superannuation Ad - “Compare The Super”.
You know the tale of two s
What’s also interesting is the finishing disclaimer…
“Past Performance Is Not An Indicator Of Future Performance”
Well nothing could be further from the truth when it comes to your brain health.
You see, Past Performance IS The Best Indicator Of Your Future Risk.
What you do, the choices you make really add up.
It’s likely not the small incidental actions - you know the treats( banana bread - yum).
More so it’s your regular habits and behaviours.
Think of your daily habits like the flame on your cooktop.
The greater the heat/ flame, the more damaging the impact.
You can dial up or down the intensity of the heat 
When it comes to your risk for memory loss, you want to turn the flame right down or off altogether.
Ok. you might be eating a healthy diet.
BUT, if you've other risks and you're not doing anything about them like
- Stress, lack of exercise, mental health, poor sleep routine, increasing weight, alcohol consumption, lack of nurturing relationships etc
Well, you're still at a far higher risk level for memory loss than you should be.
More than that, with the more risks you have there's an amplifying effect ( bigger the flame)
Rather than a 1Risk + 1Risk = X2 Personalised Risk for Memory Loss,
It’s more like 1 +1 = X4
You see, having one risk factor in the presence of another has a multiplier effect on your risk for memory loss.
AND YOUR MEMORY 
Your risks for memory loss are unique to you and will be different to others.
That's why to help prevent memory loss your actions need to match your personal risk profile.
To help you prevent memory loss the key is to get a snap-shot of what your risks are so you can change them.
It’s expected that less than 1/ 3rd of adults talk about memory health problems.
On top of that family or loved ones who see memory changes in another will be more likely to do something about it only when a person’s memory loss significantly affects their ability to live an adult life.
Sadly, that’s too late.
So, , today being World Alzheimer’s Day, let's do something about it. Here's 6 Things You CAN Do...
- Let’s talk about your memory health
- Let’s share what you can do about it
- Let’s commit to ONE action to improve your brain health in order to prevent memory loss.
- Let’s come up with a household plan - a family plan for better brain health
- Let’s design a workplace wellbeing plan that includes brain health - yes - do something about it
- Looking at the Health Insurance Over 40s check up list it includes weight, skin, heart, diabetes, eyes, dental But Nothing for Your Memory Health. Yet Early and Prevention Assessment Is THE Best Tool we have to Stop Memory Loss! In short, if you’re over 40 Start getting a Memory Health Check Up every few years with a trusted professional.
Like a building's emergency exit map a memory health check up should reveal "You Are Here".
And like a good map, should help you decide what your personalised actions need to be to help you prevent memory loss.
"General Health Information Is Good, BUT Personalised Health Action Is Much Better"
David “Let's Stay Sharp” Norris
Hit reply if you've any questions.
P.S If you're confused about what you personally need to do to help prevent memory loss then the Memory Health Check Up might be just right for you.
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During World Alzheimer’s Disease Month we’ve published a number of articles to help you reduce your risk for memory loss.
NeuroNews
- "Think Your Parents (Loved One) Has Dementia Signs? Therapist Shares What To Do. It includes: Checklist, It may not be dementia ( what else can it be?), Conversation starters, Letter templates, And more. You can read the comprehensive article HERE
- 9 practical tips on how to engage your brain. Our friends at the Global Council on Brain Health have put together a comprehensive resource on brain engagement. The good news is that they found that cognitively stimulating activities that both challenge your ability to think and that are mentally engaging can provide benefits for your brain health. Click here to access the resource, which also discusses 7 defunct myths about the ageing brain.
- A high quality diet and brain training have been linked to reducing the risk of Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia. New research has gone further to provide links of adding physical exercise and social engagement for the benefit of overall brain health and cognition. Good, long term memory health is based on multiple health and lifestyle factors. Read 4 ways exercise helps your brain and memory health here. Includes a 3 step approach to brain health.
- It's Never Too Late To Start Improving Your Brain Health: A recent study has found that it is in fact, never too late. Although physical exercise is important throughout your whole life, becoming physically active in later life may have comparable health benefits. Click here to read the study. For more motivation, click here for a sample workout plan for people over the age of 50. If you're a yoga fan, perhaps explore 12 minute yoga sequence for brain power with everyone’s favourite yoga buddy - Yoga With Adriene.
- Struggling with physical exercise habits? You're not alone. Most people would agree that starting back with an exercise routine after a long break takes discipline. If you struggle with discipline around exercise, have a listen to our Memory Health Made Easy Podcast episode with Kate Galli here about how to acknowledge your lack of discipline and outplan it.
- Last week’s article we explored “How To Get To Sleep When You Can’t”- the neuroprotective benefits of sleep, what happens when you don't get to sleep and a 2 step process to help you get to sleep and sleep better. You can read the article here.
- 9 Causes of Temporary Memory Loss And What To Do About It, from the Memory Health Made Easy podcast. Memory loss is not a one-way street. Cause of temporary memory loss can be reversible. But just because it’s temporary doesn’t mean you should not take it seriously. Far from it… Your memory has its ups and downs – that’s normal. BUT, act with urgency to cut down the causes of temporary memory loss NOW. Listen to show here
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Practice News
- Practice is CLOSED on the second week of the school holidays being the week of the 28th of September to October the 2nd.
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About This Newsletter
My mission is to see that no one suffers from avoidable memory loss. When it comes to neurological conditions our brain and cognitive fitness are often under threat.
my vision for the OT Brisbane newsletter is to help as many people as we can prevent this from happening.
Warm regards
David Norris
Occupational Therapist
Working Hours: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
PO Box 1030 Lutwyche QLD 4030
P 1300 783 200
www.OccupationalTherapyBrisbane.com.au
A Get Healthcare Direct service ABN 73 158 805 086
-- Announcement
Online Occupational Therapy is available. Will it work for you? CLICK HERE
Prevent Memory Loss. The Memory Health Made Easy podcast is now LIVE. A show which shares simple strategies to reduce your personal risk for memory loss. YOU CAN LISTEN HERE
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