Cognitive Health Plan

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What is a cognitive health plan? ||| h2

A cognitive health plan is a way to stay proactive about your brain health by focusing on two key areas:

  1. $Risk factors for dementia|||red-text$: learning what might negatively impact your brain and how to manage those risks
  2. $Cognitive assessments|||red-text$: tracking changes over time to help catch early signs of decline

Regular conversations with your doctor about these two areas can help you take action early and help support your brain health for the future.

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Managing Risk Factors ||| h3

Research shows that up to 45% of dementia cases, including those caused by Alzheimer’s disease (AD), may be prevented or delayed by managing changeable risk factors. Some factors may be impacted by behavior and some may not. Your doctor may be able to help you identify your risk factors and continue to monitor regularly. The following points are general goals and guideposts for you to use to start creating a cognitive health plan. Talk to your doctor about what specific risk factors might look like for you and how to apply them to your plan.

Factors that may be changeable

  • Blood pressure
  • Cholesterol
  • Blood sugar
  • Smoking status
  • Physical activity
  • Body weight
  • Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
  • Alcohol consumption
  • Hearing Loss
  • Depression

Factors that are not changeable

  • Age
  • Family history
  • Certain genetic markers
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Baseline Cognitive Assessment ||| h3

A cognitive assessment is a spoken or written evaluation that helps you and your doctor check how well your brain is working in key areas. As you age, future assessments can help to measure any changes in your memory and thinking abilities over time.

  • Establishing a baseline of your cognitive health gives your doctor a reference point to help monitor changes in memory and thinking—and take timely action if needed
  • A cognitive assessment doesn’t diagnose anything on its own, but it can spot early signs of memory and thinking issues
  • There are several assessments you can take, and most are relatively short and can be completed without needing a separate office visit

Insurance coverage varies by test and insurance plan. When you and your doctor discuss cognitive assessments ask about your coverage options.

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Did you know? If you have Medicare and are 65 or older, an assessment is included as part of your annual wellness visit every year.*

*You must be enrolled for at least 1 year before Medicare provides coverage for an annual wellness visit.
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