The Dementia Prevention Myths We Believe
Most of us have heard the same advice repeated over and over: do crossword puzzles, learn a new language, or play brain games if you want to keep your mind sharp and prevent dementia. Yet, despite this common wisdom, more than seven million Americans are currently living with Alzheimer’s disease—and that number is expected to nearly double by 2050. Clearly, the strategies we’ve been relying on aren’t working as we hoped.
Why Brain Games Aren’t the Answer
The truth is, brain games don’t actually save neurons or prevent cognitive decline. While crosswords and similar activities can help you get better at those specific tasks, the benefits rarely extend beyond the game itself. Your brain becomes more adept at solving puzzles, but these skills don’t transfer to everyday memory or thinking. Unfortunately, many people gain a false sense of security from these activities, believing they’re doing everything they can to protect their brains.
The Overlooked Protectors of Brain Health
What really makes a difference in brain health often gets overlooked. Treating hearing loss, for example, can reduce the risk of developing dementia by 18%. Managing blood pressure during midlife is another crucial factor, as is aggressively addressing sleep apnea. Maintaining real, in-person social connections—rather than relying solely on online interactions—also plays a significant role in protecting cognitive function.
Why Exercise Outperforms Mental Puzzles
Exercise, more than any brain game, offers powerful benefits for your brain. Physical activity boosts levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which acts like fertilizer for your brain cells. Regular movement improves blood flow, reduces inflammation, and can even help grow the memory center of your brain. These effects are far more profound than anything a brain-training app can offer.
The Prevention Paradox: Simple Steps, Big Impact
There’s a paradox at the heart of dementia prevention: the interventions that truly work aren’t flashy or marketable. The “sexy” solutions, like brain-training apps, often fail to deliver real results. Instead, it’s the simple, evidence-based steps—like treating hearing loss, managing blood pressure, and prioritizing sleep—that get ignored, even though they’re the most effective.
Consider a recent example from my clinic. A patient proudly showed off his 500-day streak on a brain-training app, convinced he was doing everything right. Yet, his sleep apnea had gone untreated for a decade, and his hearing aids were gathering dust in a drawer. In reality, he was focusing on games while his brain was being deprived of oxygen every night.
The Unvarnished Truth About Dementia Prevention
The unglamorous reality is that effective dementia prevention isn’t about puzzles or apps. Get your hearing checked and use your hearing aids if you need them. Treat sleep apnea as if your life depends on it—because it might. Move your body every day, maintain meaningful in-person relationships, and start controlling your blood pressure now. Your brain doesn’t need more puzzles; it needs oxygen, blood flow, and genuine human connection.
If you’re ready to take real steps to protect your brain, consider scheduling a comprehensive hearing evaluation. At Hearing Doctors of New Jersey, our Doctors of Audiology use the proprietary H.E.A.R. Method™ Treatment Program to help you never miss another word and to safeguard your brain health for years to come. Let’s focus on what truly matters for your cognitive well-being.
