A Word from Silver Bridges Consulting: Our partners at Sunday Health—a cognitive care clinic dedicated to ensuring better brain health—shared their expert insight with us in honor of June being Alzheimer’s and Brain Health Awareness Month. Let’s dive into some common misconceptions that are often associated with your mind and aging and unveil the truth!
June is Alzheimer’s and Brain Health Awareness Month—a time when we shine a light on one of the most important aspects of healthy aging. Yet despite growing awareness, harmful myths about memory and cognitive health continue to hold individuals back from getting the care and support they need. These misconceptions don’t just create unnecessary worry—they can delay access to care and interventions that help extend independence and quality of life.
The brain health experts at Sunday Health have identified four of the most common misconceptions that stand between individuals and optimal cognitive care. By debunking these myths with science-backed information, we hope to empower you to make informed decisions about your brain health for years to come.
Myth #1: “Memory Loss is a Normal Part of Aging”
Perhaps the most damaging misconception is the belief that significant memory loss is simply an inevitable part of getting older. While subtle changes in thinking speed and occasional word-finding difficulties may occur with normal aging, substantial memory loss is not a normal part of aging and should not be ignored.
Understanding the Difference
A healthy brain, even at 80+, should still support independence, decision-making, and meaningful relationships. Several warning signs distinguish normal aging from something that warrants medical attention:
Warning Signs Beyond Normal Aging:
- Repetitive questioning (asking the same question multiple times in a day)
- Attention lapses (struggling to follow TV plots or current events)
- Getting lost in familiar areas
- New mood changes (depression, anxiety, or irritability)
The Good News About Treatable Causes
Many cognitive changes stem from conditions that can often be treated or reversed, including:
- Medication side effects or interactions
- Sleep disorders like sleep apnea
- Thyroid conditions
- Vitamin deficiencies (particularly B12)
- Depression or anxiety
- Hearing loss
Obtaining a comprehensive assessment early can reveal the underlying cause of symptoms, paving the way for effective treatment and, in some cases, the reversal of cognitive changes.
Myth #2: “There’s Nothing I Can Do to Prevent Dementia”
This sense of inevitability—especially when dementia runs in the family—leads to resignation and inaction. However, science tells a much more hopeful story.
The Science of Prevention
Landmark findings from the Lancet Commission on Dementia Prevention demonstrate that up to 45% of dementia cases may be preventable by addressing modifiable risk factors. These key factors can include:
- Hearing loss
- Hypertension
- Physical inactivity
- Social isolation
- Diabetes
- Smoking
- Obesity
- Depression
Genetics: Not Destiny
Even individuals at high genetic risk can significantly reduce their chances of developing dementia by following a healthy lifestyle. As researchers say, “genetics loads the gun, but lifestyle pulls the trigger.” A 2020 study found that prevention efforts can be particularly effective for individuals with genetic predispositions, such as the APOE4 gene—a genetic variant that increases an individual’s risk of developing Alzheimer’s.
Early Detection Tools
New diagnostic tools make prevention more actionable than ever. Recently, the FDA cleared for use, for the first time ever, a blood test for Alzheimer’s. This is important because it marks a major step toward earlier, easier, and more accessible diagnosis. Until now, confirming Alzheimer’s typically required expensive and invasive procedures like PET scans or spinal taps. A blood test makes it much more feasible to detect the disease in everyday clinical settings—potentially even before symptoms are severe—giving patients and families more time to plan and access treatments or lifestyle changes that may help slow cognitive decline. It also opens the door to broader screening and more equitable care, especially for people in underserved or rural areas.
Myth #3: “Once Symptoms Start, There’s Nothing That Can Be Done”
This misconception leads to unnecessary despair and prevents people from accessing interventions that can significantly improve quality of life and slow disease progression.
The Progressive Nature Creates Opportunities
Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias progress slowly over many years, creating multiple opportunities for meaningful intervention. Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) provides a particularly critical window—research consistently shows that structured lifestyle interventions during this phase can reduce progression to dementia.
Medical Breakthroughs
Recent FDA approvals of monoclonal antibody treatments (lecanemab and donanemab) represent important milestones because they are the first approved disease-modifying drugs on the market. These infusion therapies can slow Alzheimer’s progression by up to 35% in some patients when used in the early stages. Additionally, treating conditions like high blood pressure, hearing loss, and diabetes can also slow cognitive decline.
Evidence-Based Non-Medication Approaches
Even without medication, making simple lifestyle changes can help keep your brain healthy and your memory strong:
- Regular physical activity
- Good sleep hygiene
- Healthy eating
- Social engagement
- Cognitive training
Beyond Treatment: The Value of Early Planning
Timely diagnosis empowers families to plan ahead—building support systems, making informed decisions together, and ensuring the individual can take an active role in shaping their future.
Myth #4: “It’s Too Late (or Too Early) to Focus on Brain Health”
Many adults believe they are either too young or too old to worry about cognitive decline. The reality: brain health is a lifelong concern, and efforts to protect it can be beneficial at any age.
The Myth of “Too Young”
Younger adults often postpone brain health concerns, but studies show Alzheimer’s disease begins decades before symptoms appear—changes may start as early as age 40. The brain you have at 70 reflects how you’ve treated it for decades, making midlife a critical window for prevention.
The Myth of “Too Late”
Older adults may feel it’s “too late” to benefit from interventions. However, research consistently shows the brain remains remarkably adaptable well into old age. A landmark study found that adults over 80 who maintained active lifestyles experienced significantly slower cognitive decline—even those who began new activities in their 70s and 80s showed measurable benefits.
The Value of Establishing a Baseline
Most of us are familiar with routine screenings, such as colonoscopies and mammograms, but cognitive screening is often overlooked. Establishing a brain health baseline allows your future cognitive performance to be compared to your earlier ability—creating a personalized reference point for detecting changes over time.
Taking Action: It’s Never Too Early or Too Late
This Alzheimer’s and Brain Health Awareness Month, remember that knowledge is power. Whether you’re 45 or 85, the best time to focus on brain health is now. The key is finding evidence-based approaches that work for you and sticking with them.
Early detection, lifestyle interventions, medical treatments, and proactive planning can all contribute to meaningful improvements in quality of life and extension of independence. Most importantly, you’re not powerless in the face of cognitive decline—there are more tools and strategies available today than ever before.
How Our Partner, Sunday Health, Can Help
Sunday Health is a modern cognitive care clinic dedicated to helping individuals take a proactive approach to brain health. Their compassionate team—including cognitive neurologists, nurse practitioners, and care navigators—provides expert clinical care alongside evidence-based programs tailored for older adults to help prevent and delay cognitive decline.
Sunday Health serves patients in Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia via convenient telehealth appointments and in-person at their office in Vienna, VA. They accept Medicare, Medicare Advantage, and most commercial insurance plans, and no referral is needed to schedule an appointment.
If you or someone you love has concerns about memory or cognitive health, Sunday Health is here to help with kindhearted, state-of-the-art care. Taking action early isn’t just reassuring—it can be life-changing, helping you stay active, independent, and engaged for as long as possible.
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- Independent Living
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Contact us today to get started on a seamless, stress-free senior living search.
