The Alzheimer’s Australia ‘Your Brain Matter’ programme provides a checklist to see if a person is taking steps to keep their brain healthy and reduce their risk of dementia.

The five steps are:

• Step 1: Look after your heart:
  • I have had my blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar (glucose) and weight checked in the last 12 months and my doctor says they are within a healthy range (or are under control).
  • I am a non-smoker.
• Step 2: Do some kind of physical activity:
  • I exercise regularly, at least 30 minutes of physical activity on most days.
• Step 3: Mentally challenge your brain:
  • I challenge my brain with activities that involve new learning or problem solving or complex thinking, on most days.
• Step 4: Follow a healthy diet:
  • I eat fruit and vegetables every day.
  • I eat fish or seafood each week.
  • I limit the amount of fat I eat (such as take away, deep fried foods, pies, pastries and cakes) to once or twice per week.
  • I drink no more than two standard drinks per day.
• Step 5: Enjoy social activity:
  • I get involved in social activities with friends, family and/or colleagues on most days.

For more information about healthy lifestyle choices or for more information about the 5 simple steps to maximise your brain health visit: YourBrainMatters.org.au.

Useful Links

Alzheimer’s Australia: https://www.fightdementia.org.au/about-dementia-and-memory-loss/am-i-at-risk/your-brain-matters.

Dementia Research Foundation: https://www.dementiaresearchfoundation.org.au/tags/your-brain-matters.