Brain Health As You Age:

Educator Guide

Introduction to the Brain Health Educator Guide

In an effort to help you provide older adults and their caregivers with current information 

about brain health, we have prepared this presentation and Educator Guide. 

This Educator Guide contains slides for a presentation designed to help older adults 

and their caregivers learn how to reduce risks that may be related to brain health. This 

hour-long presentation offers information at a basic level to older adults, or caregivers, 

or both. The slides cover: 

 Aging and health 

 Good health and the normal aging brain

 Threats to brain health

 Healthy aging for your body and brain

All of the information in the slides and accompanying materials has received the review 

of the National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

If you do not have access to a projector and screen, simply use this guide to structure a 

conversation with your audience.

We have provided the following:

 Additional information for individual slides as needed

 A one-page brain health handout for older adults and caregivers called “Brain 

Health as You Age: You Can Make a Difference!”

 An optional handout, “Brain Health as You Age: Key Facts and Resources,” that 

includes basic information and resources for the topics covered in the 

presentation

This guide provides one page per slide. Please be aware that the additional information

provided for about half of the slides is for your information only. You do not have to 

learn or recite all this information. Use the slides as your guide, along with the additional 

information, when needed. 

Thank you for using this health education resource. We look forward to working together 

to keep older adults and their caregivers healthy and productive in their later years.
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Slide 1: Brain Health as You Age 

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A presentation by:
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Slide 2: Aging and Health 

Aging and Health

 Aging well depends on your:

• Genes

• Environment

• Lifestyle

 Healthy lifestyle choices may help you 

maintain a healthy body and brain

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Slide 3: Age-Related Changes in Memory and Learning 

Age-Related Changes in

Memory and Learning

You may find:

• Increased difficulty finding words

• More problems in multi-tasking

• Mild decreases in ability to pay attention

You can still:

• Learn new things

• Create new memories

• Improve vocabulary and language skills

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Slide 4: Possible Risks or Threats to Brain Health

Possible Risks or Threats

to Brain Health

 Some medicines, or improper use of them

 Smoking

 Excessive use of alcohol

 Heart disease, diabetes, and other health problems

 Poor diet

 Insufficient sleep

 Lack of physical activity

 Little social activity and being alone most of the time

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Slide 5: Medicines and Brain Health

Medicines and Brain Health

Some medicines – and combinations of them –

can affect your thinking and the way your brain 

works.

Talk with your health care provider 

about the drugs you take and 

possible side effects on memory, 

sleep and brain function.

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Additional Information

Checking with your health care provider is important. 

In addition, some community organizations, such as Area Agencies on Aging, hold 

meetings where health professionals go over peoples’ medicines. 
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Slide 6: Smoking and Brain Health 

Smoking and Brain Health

 Benefits of quitting smoking at any age:

• Lower risk of heart attacks, stroke, and lung 

disease

• Better blood circulation

• Not exposing others to second-hand smoke

There are free resources available 

to help you quit smoking.

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Slide 7: Alcohol’s Effect on Brain Health 

Alcohol’s Effect on Brain Health

 Slow or impaired communication among brain 

cells, even with moderate use

 Poor driving, slurred speech, fuzzy memory, 

drowsiness, dizziness

 Long-term changes to balance, memory and 

emotions, coordination, and body 

temperature

Staying away from alcohol can reverse some changes.

Some medicines can be dangerous when mixed with alcohol.

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Additional Information

Alcohol may act differently in older adults than in younger people. Some older adults 

can feel “high” without increasing the amount of alcohol they drink. This can make them 

more likely to be confused or have accidents, including falls, broken bones and 

fractures and car crashes, which can cause head injuries among other problems.

If people choose to drink alcohol, U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans say that 

moderate drinking is up to two drinks a day for men, and one for women.

Some people should not drink alcohol. Many older adults should be extra careful 

because they often take medicines that can interact with it. For example:

 Alcohol and over-the-counter cough and cold remedies together can cause 

drowsiness and potential accidental overdoses. Older people are at even greater

risk for these side effects

 Using alcohol with common blood pressure medicines can increase risk for 

dizziness, drowsiness, and changes in heartbeat
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Slide 8: Common Conditions that Affect Brain Health

Common Conditions 

that Affect Brain Health

 Heart disease, high blood pressure

 Diabetes

 Alzheimer’s disease

 Stroke

 Traumatic brain injury

 Depression

 Sleep problems

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Slide 9: Heart Disease and High Blood Pressure 

Heart Disease and 

High Blood Pressure

Heart disease and high blood pressure can lead 

to stroke and blood vessel changes related to 

dementia.

How to reduce risk:

 Control cholesterol and high blood pressure

 Exercise

 Eat healthy foods

 Quit smoking

 Limit use of alcohol

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Additional Information

Many people with high blood pressure and heart disease do not know it, so it is 

important for you to get the recommended screenings for these health conditions.
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Slide 10: Diabetes 

Diabetes

 Damages blood vessels throughout your body, 

including your brain

 Increases risk for stroke and heart attack

 May increase risk for memory problems and 

Alzheimer’s disease

 Maintaining a healthy weight through physical 

activity and healthy eating can prevent or 

control diabetes

Talk with your health care provider about the combination 

of lifestyle and medicine that works for you.

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Additional Information

Many people with diabetes do not know that they have it. Sometimes, people with 

diabetes may feel unusually tired, urinate frequently, or feel very hungry or thirsty. If you 

have these symptoms, it is important to get screened. 

Diabetes type 1 is not preventable.
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Slide 11: Alzheimer’s Disease 

Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s is a buildup of harmful proteins in the brain, 

the death of brain cells, and loss of connections among 

them.

 Known risks:

• Age

• Genes, in some people

• Head injury

 Suspected risks:

• Heart disease

• High blood pressure at mid-life

• Lack of physical activity

• Depression

• Diabetes 11

Additional Information

People with dementia have significant problems with cognition – the ability to think, 

learn, and remember. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia.

You should know that some conditions can mimic dementia, like hearing loss and 

depression. Also, some medicines can cause confusion and memory problems. So, it is 

important for you to check with your health care providers to rule out these potential 

problems.
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Slide 12: Alzheimer’s Disease (continued) 

Alzheimer’s Disease

(continued)

 Some therapies can treat Alzheimer’s symptoms. 

They do not slow down the disease’s changes in the 

brain.

 Some approaches show promise in reducing risk of 

cognitive decline or Alzheimer’s, but need more 

testing:

• Exercise

• Healthy diet

• Controlling high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes

• Cognitive “brain” training

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Additional Information

Developing Alzheimer’s disease has been linked to a number of risk factors, like 

diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and lack of exercise. Researchers are 

studying whether specific ways of controlling these conditions or being active may 

reduce risk of developing the disease or prevent cognitive decline. Cognition is the 

ability to think, learn, and remember.

There is a lot of interest in research on “cognitive training.” Researchers are 

investigating whether training in specific tasks will help maintain brain function. So far, 

studies show that some of this training can help improve skills in the training subject 

area. More research is being done to see how training might help people outside of the 

research setting. 
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Slide 13: Brain Injury 

 Older adults are at higher risk of falling and 

other accidents that can cause brain injury

How to reduce risk:

• Exercise to improve balance and 

coordination

• Take a fall prevention class

• Make your home safer

• Review medicines and vision with your 

health care provider

• Wear safety belts and helmets

• Get enough sleep

Brain Injury

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Slide 14: Depression 

Depression

 Feelings of sadness or loss of interest in favored 

activities that last for weeks at a time

 Not a normal part of aging

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 Confusion or attention problems 

caused by depression can 

sometimes look like dementia

 Some medicines can cause 

depression

 Treatment can involve therapy and medicine

Additional Information

If you or someone you care about is in crisis, please seek help immediately.

 Call 911

 Visit a nearby emergency department or your health care provider's office

 Call the toll-free, 24-hour hotline of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-

800-273-TALK (8255) or 1-800-799-4TTY (4889) to talk to a trained counselor
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Slide 15: Sleep Apnea

Sleep Apnea

 Short pauses in breathing while sleeping

 Can lead to injury, high blood pressure, 

stroke, or memory loss, all of which can 

affect brain health

 Treatment begins with lifestyle changes, 

such as avoiding alcohol, losing weight, and 

quitting smoking

 Use of special devices, ordered by your 

doctor, may also help

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Slide 16: So, What Can You Do to Protect Brain Health?

So, What Can You Do

to Protect Brain Health?

Actions that may help:

 Take care of your health

 Eat healthy foods

 Be active

 Learn new things

 Connect with family, friends, and communities

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Additional Information

Some of these actions can help maintain brain health. Others are still being studied to 

see how they might affect brain health. We do know that the actions listed in this slide 

are good for healthy aging.
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Slide 17: Take Care of Your Health

Take Care of Your Health

 Get recommended health screenings

 Manage health problems like diabetes, high 

blood pressure, and high cholesterol

 Consult with your health care provider to 

make sure your medicines are right for you

 Reduce risk for brain injuries due to falls, 

and other types of accidents

 Quit smoking

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Additional Information

Medicare beneficiaries are entitled to a free “Welcome to Medicare” visit within 12 

months of joining the program as well as a free annual wellness visit.
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Slide 18: Eat Healthily 

Eat Healthily

 Fruits and vegetables

 Whole grains

 Lean meats, fish, poultry

 Low-fat or non-fat dairy products

 Less solid fat, sugar and salt

 Proper portion sizes

 Adequate fluids

Look into healthy meal programs, like those provided by 

your Area Agency on Aging.

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Additional Information

Nutrition programs at Area Agencies on Aging provide meals and related services to 

older adults in a variety of places like senior centers, or in older people’s homes, if they 

are homebound.
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Slide 19: Get Moving

Get Moving

 Get at least 150 minutes of exercise each week. 

Move about 30 minutes on most days. Walking is a 

good start.

 Join programs that can help you learn to move safely.

 Check with your health care provider if you haven’t 

been active and want to start a vigorous exercise 

program.

 Physical activity may:

• Reduce risks of diabetes, heart disease, 

depression, and stroke

• Prevent falls

• Improve connections among brain cells

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Additional Information

Physical activity is one of the most important things an older adult can do for health. It 

can prevent or reduce your risk of health problems that seem to come with age, which 

include some of the diseases and conditions associated with brain health. It also helps 

you stay strong so that you can continue to do your day-to-day activities independently.

In fact, not doing physical activity can be bad for you, no matter your age or health 

condition.

If you are 65 or older and generally fit, with no limiting health conditions, you can benefit 

from doing aerobic and muscle-strengthening activities each week, using these 

guidelines:

 A combination of 2 hours and 30 minutes (150) minutes of moderate aerobic 

activity (such as brisk walking), with 2 or more days a week working all major 

muscle groups (legs, hips, back, abdomen, chest, shoulders, and arms)

 A combination of 1 hour and 15 minutes (75 minutes) of vigorous-intensity 

aerobic activity (such as jogging or running), with 2 or more days a week working 

all major muscle groups

 A balanced mix of moderate- and vigorous-intensity aerobic activity, with 2 or 

more days a week working all major muscle groups
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Slide 20: Keep Your Mind Active

Keep Your Mind Active

 Do mentally stimulating activities

 Read books and magazines

 Play games

 Learn new things

 Take or teach a class

 Be social through work or volunteering

Clinical trials have not proven that these types of activities 

will prevent Alzheimer’s disease, but they can be fun.

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Slide 21: Stay Connected

Stay Connected

 People who have meaningful activities, like 

volunteering, say they feel happier and 

healthier

 Social activities are linked to reduced risk 

for some health problems, including 

dementia

 Join in social and other programs through 

your Area Agency on Aging, Senior Center, 

or other community organizations 21
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Slide 22: What Can You Do Today?

What Can You Do Today?

 Pick one thing you can do that may help your 

brain

 Think of small, first steps such as:

• Taking a 10-minute walk a few times a week

• Adding one serving of vegetables each day

• Making an appointment for health screenings or a 

physical exam

 Write down what you will do and when

 Get support from family, friends, or 

community groups!

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Slide 23: For More Information

For More Information

 Community Programs:

• Contact a local Area Agency on Aging (AAA)

• Contact a local Aging & Disability Resource Center (ADRC)

• Or, go to http://eldercare.gov/

 National Institutes of Health: http://nih.gov

 National Institute on Aging at NIH: http://nia.nih.gov

 ClinicalTrials.gov, a service of NIH: http://clinicaltrials.gov

 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

• http://www.cdc.gov/aging

• http://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity

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Additional Information

Highlight local programs and refer to the following handouts if you have them available 

to distribute:

 Brain Health as You Age: You Can Make a Difference!

 Brain Health as You Age: Key Facts and Resources

In addition to health information, the NIH website has links to clinical trial opportunities 

for a variety of conditions and diseases related to brain health, including stroke, 

diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, and depression, at www.clinicaltrials.gov. An NIH-funded 

site www.researchmatch.org connects interested people with researchers through a 

free, secure website.