Talk With Your Doctor
Ready to talk cognitive health? ||| h2
It’s never too early to start a conversation with your doctor about your cognitive health, which is how well you think, learn, and remember.
Doctor Discussion Guide ||| h3
Arriving at your appointment prepared to talk about brain health can help you have a more productive conversation. Planning ahead can also help you feel more confident in creating and managing your cognitive health plan in partnership with your doctor. Here are some topics that may relate to your brain health that you might want to bring up to your doctor.
$Download, screenshot, or print this guide, and bring it to your next appointment to discuss with your doctor. |||red-text$
- I want to understand what activities may help keep my brain active or engaged
- I have a family history of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease
- I have genetic markers that are associated with an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease, for example, APOE-ε4 (Apolipoprotein E)
- I would like to maintain and monitor my blood pressure
- I would like to maintain and monitor my cholesterol
- I would like to maintain and monitor my blood sugar levels
- I would like to maintain and monitor my body weight
- I do smoke and/or drink alcohol and would like to quit
- I would like to get into the habit of regular physical activity
- I have a healthy diet or am actively working to incorporate healthier foods into my diet
- I have been diagnosed with depression
At your appointment, ask your doctor about the following: ||| h3
01
Can I get a cognitive assessment to help establish a baseline of my cognitive health to help monitor any changes in memory and thinking over time?
02
What risk factors do I have for dementia due to conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease and how can I better manage them for my long-term cognitive health?
03
How can I identify if memory and thinking issues I experience now or in the future are a normal part of aging or something more serious?
Making the Most of Your Doctor’s Visit ||| h3
In today’s fast-paced healthcare environment, appointments with your doctor can feel like they don’t have enough time to fit in everything you’d like to discuss. By being prepared and advocating for yourself and your cognitive health, you can make even a short appointment meaningful and productive.
Be Prepared ||| h2
- Before your appointment, create a list of topics or questions you’d like to discuss, prioritizing them by importance
- Let the office staff or your doctor know at the start of the visit that you want to discuss brain health
- Bring a notebook or use your phone to take notes during the appointment so you can remember key points later
For a productive conversation on brain health, our personalized doctor discussion guide can help as a jumping-off point.
Advocating for Yourself ||| h3
If you run out of time during your visit or feel uncertain about the advice you receive, remember that it’s okay to ask for a follow-up appointment with your doctor. Your health is too important to leave any concerns unresolved. Being a strong self-advocate means voicing your needs and experiences, asking questions when you don’t understand something, and staying actively involved in decisions about your care.
