What is Brain Health Part 2

The Older Adult Brain (Part II)

By Stephanie Hartz, LISW

Brain health isn’t just a topic for older adults — it’s something that matters at every age.

But as we get older, the brain changes just like the rest of the body. Maybe you’ve noticed slower thinking, misplaced keys, or walking into a room and forgetting why you’re there. It’s easy to wonder: Is this normal? Is this dementia? Should I be worried?

Here’s the good news: memory loss is not a normal part of aging.

Slowed thinking can be.

And the difference between the two is important.

There are other things to consider when it comes to brain health — many have nothing

to do with dementia at all.

Can You Hear Me?

Hearing is one of the brain’s main information highways. If sound isn’t getting in clearly,

the brain can’t process it. Sometimes the culprit is as simple as earwax. Other times,

long-term exposure to loud machinery, equipment, or explosions leads to hearing loss.

And yes, “selective hearing” is a different issue entirely. (Common in spouses and significant others at different times!)

What you can do:

• Protect your hearing around loud noise

• Get a hearing exam from an Audiologist

• Consider hearing aids or amplifying devices

Your brain can’t work with information it never receives.

Did You See That?

Vision is another major input for the brain. When eyesight declines — from glaucoma, macular degeneration, or simply aging — the brain fills in the blanks. Sometimes it fills them in too well.

People with significant vision loss may experience Charles Bonnet Syndrome, where the brain creates vivid images to compensate for missing visual information.

Support your eyes by:

• Visiting the eye doctor yearly

• Using glasses or readers as needed (changes generally start around age 40)

Seeing clearly helps the brain think clearly.

Is Your Sleep Restful?

Sleep is the brain’s nightly housekeeping shift. Without 6–8 hours of restful sleep, thinking slows, memory slips, and focus fades.

Anyone who has cared for a newborn knows sleep deprivation is its own special form of chaos. Standing in the kitchen, bottle in hand, baby crying, and suddenly forgetting what you were doing — that’s a tired brain begging for rest.

Things that can help:

• Look up “sleep hygiene” for useful approaches

• Use sleep aids sparingly — long-term use of things like Benadryl can cause brain fog

• Talk to a doctor if sleep problems persist

Your brain needs quality downtime to function during the day.

How’s Your Mood?

Stress, anxiety, PTSD, and depression can all cloud thinking. When mood is low, motivation drops, processing slows, and even simple tasks feel harder.

In older adults, this can look like dementia — but it’s often pseudo-dementia, a reversible condition once mood, sleep, hearing, and vision improve.

Ways to support your mood:

• Move your body

• Talk with a friend or therapist

• Join a support group

• Ask your doctor whether medication might help

A healthier mood often means a clearer mind.

Are You Lonely?

Here’s a surprising fact: social isolation is as harmful as smoking 15 cigarettes a day.

Your brain needs conversation, stimulation, and connection.

Pets are wonderful companions, but they can’t replace human interaction.

Try:

• Getting a library card and attending events

• Walking the mall, park, or farmer’s market

• Talking with neighbors or joining a club

• Getting a dog if you want one — daily walks are a bonus

Your brain thrives when you use it.

Medications Matter

Many older adults take multiple medications. Sometimes the combination — or a side effect — can cause confusion or slowed thinking.

If this sounds familiar:

• Ask your doctor or pharmacist for a medication review

• Bring all prescriptions and over-the-counter items in a bag to your appointment

• Use a pillbox or reminder system if you forget

Small adjustments can make a big difference.

Got Air?

Sleep apnea — when breathing stops for 10–30 seconds at a time, sometimes hundreds of times a night — can leave you exhausted, foggy, and unfocused.

If your bed partner snores like a chainsaw or seems to stop breathing, it’s worth

checking out.

Good news:

Sleep studies can now be done at home.

Live Heart Healthy

What’s good for the heart is good for the brain.

That includes:

Regular exercise

Balanced eating

Avoiding smoking

• Managing diabetes and blood sugar, avoid highs and lows

• Limiting alcohol

• Reducing exposure to environmental hazards

Your healthcare provider can also check thyroid levels, vitamins, and infections that may affect thinking.

What About Dementia?

Dementia is real — but it’s not the starting point. It’s the diagnosis after all the bove areas have been evaluated and optimized.

Types include:

• Alzheimer’s

• Lewy Body Dementia

• Vascular Dementia

• Parkinson’s Dementia

• Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD)

• Mixed Dementia

• Korsakoff Syndrome

The Alzheimer’s Association offers excellent resources for individuals, families, and caregivers. Alzheimer's Association | Alzheimer's Disease & Dementia Help

Brain Health at Any Age: Final Tips

• Wear a helmet — protect your noggin

• Drink water, get sunlight, breathe fresh air (consider yourself a houseplant with emotions)

• Learn something new every day

Your brain is an incredible organ. Treat it well, and it will serve you for a lifetime.

-Stephanie Hartz, LISW

Wife, mom, daughter, sister, granddaughter, small business owner, Iowan, human.

The views and opinions expressed in this post are solely my own.