Learn about brain health through the McMaster Optimal Aging Portal’s interactive e-learning lessons.

Research highlights the benefits of exercise for our body and mind! Don't miss tips and tricks on how to get and stay active.

Are sensory loss and cognitive decline linked? Find out what the research has to say!

Research spotlights where home-based strategies can be effective.

Research points to strategies that aim to help people living with dementia improve sleep, depressive symptoms, and everyday functioning.

Many older adults experience cognitive changes that can make understanding, communication and decision making difficult. Visual methods of communication can help address these challenges, leading to improved autonomy, confidence, and social well-being.

Research addresses questions around side effects related to commonly prescribed cognitive enhancers.

Pain reduction in people living with dementia. Non-drug options may be a good first step.

Learn about early-stage strategies that may help you as a caregiver for a person with dementia or mild cognitive impairment.

Take a look at what the evidence says about non-drug options for dementia-related sleep problems.

We often hear about cases of older adults being victims of poor care, being neglected or being financially abused by their family caregivers. But sometimes, it is the family caregiver who is a victim. How can we determine if this is the symptoms of a disease or an act of abuse?

Living with dementia or caring for someone who is? Research highlights 3 more strategies for improving cognitive or psychological health.

Older adults, whether cognitively impaired or not, use three types of strategies to cope with memory loss: external, internal and behavioural strategies.

Sleep and sleep quality play an important role in keeping us healthy. There are multiple strategies that aim to help us sleep longer or better; research sheds light on which ones are effective and which ones we may want to pass on.

An estimated 50 million people worldwide are living with dementia, a number that is expected to triple to 152 million by 2050. In high-income countries, about half of all people with dementia are cared for in nursing homes. Placing a loved one in a nursing home is not an easy decision and families often wish to be engaged as care partners in nursing homes.

Keep ‘em coming! Research outlines even more benefits to being involved in conversations and decision making around your own health or the health of a loved one.

Getting out and about! Preliminary research shows that engaging in meaningful activities outside of aged care facilities may have positive effects on the health and well-being of people living with dementia.

Childhood trauma, such as abuse, violence or family dysfunction, has an effect on children's cognitive abilities and these effects can last into adulthood.

Do you or a loved one live with cognitive impairment or dementia? You may want to try or consider music-making therapy. Preliminary research shows benefits for cognitive function.

Are you living with dementia, high blood pressure, or urinary incontinence? See what the research has to say about your options for non-drug treatments. Hint: promising possibilities lie ahead.

Are you or someone you know dealing with dementia and symptoms of depression? Get to know some of the available non-drug treatment options.

Over the years, the use of aspirin to prevent cardiovascular events, dementia, and cancer has emerged as a topic of conversation and debate. Do claims of aspirin’s preventative powers hold true? The current evidence doesn’t show much promise.

Are you or someone you know living with mild cognitive impairment or dementia? Research points to five strategies that can help improve cognitive and mental health.

If you’re interested in aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs as a dementia prevention strategy, you should know that current evidence doesn’t support their use for this purpose and raises red flags around potential health risks.

Can leaning into your “artsy” side enhance your cognitive health? See what the evidence has to say about the use of visual art therapy for people with different levels of cognitive health.

Are you looking for non-drug alternatives for the management of agitation in dementia? The evidence shows there are several potentially effective options.

Coping with the consequences of mild cognitive impairment or dementia is difficult enough without having to deal with depression as well. Can cognitive training provide any relief when it comes to depression?

Why is being involved in discussions and decision-making about your own health important? Research highlights three benefits for individuals and their caregivers.

There are many claims out there about the health benefits of dietary supplements, but not all claims are backed by evidence. Talk to your health care provider about which supplements may be beneficial to you.

Combing exercise for both your brain and your body could be just what you need to keep your mind sharp as you age.

Many of people with dementia live in residential and long-term care facilities, but others are living at home with support from their caregivers. Despite the burden and distress of these caregivers, many do not use existing respite services.

Dementia is a major concern as we age. If you're hoping to fend off this devastating condition, based on current evidence, vitamin and mineral supplements may not be the answer.

Support for family caregivers of people with dementia cannot be overlooked – it is a necessity. If the stress of caregiving is left unchecked, it can take a toll on a caregiver’s mental, physical and social health. Multicomponent strategies may be a good way to keep a caregiver grounded and healthy.

New research shows that staying physically active may not just be good for your body, but good for your mind too!

When it comes to healthy aging, exercising our brains can be just as important as exercising our bodies. Research shows that cognitive-based training can help healthy older adults stay sharp.

Based on the research evidence, some drugs are getting credit they don’t deserve! They may even be doing more harm than good.

Everyone – including those with dementia – has the right to make decisions that affect their own health. Staying involved and engaged for as long as possible is key to a better quality of life.

Some researchers believe heart health and Alzheimer’s are linked. Will cholesterol-lowering pills for people at risk of heart disease help prevent dementia?

Healthy aging involves exercising both the brain and the body. Can computer games and activities improve cognitive abilities in people with cognitive decline?

Do sleep aid medications help to improve sleep for people with dementia?

What can caregivers do to help manage common behavior challenges among people with dementia? Three tips supported by research evidence.

One of the pleasures in life is spending time with family and friends. Another is getting together to relive those good times and memorable moments. Research shows that group activities involving reminiscing can help relieve social isolation/loneliness and depression.

Providing care for family members with challenging chronic diseases like dementia can be highly stressful and take a toll on caregivers’ physical and psychological health. When caregivers become “burnt out” are their loved ones more likely to be placed in long term care facilities?

Regular exercise keeps us fit and healthy and helps reduce the risk of many diseases as we age, but what can it do for people with dementia or those looking to prevent it?

Although there is no cure for Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia, finding out the best ways to diagnose the condition early may help people to access the best available treatments and support and maintain control and independence for as long as possible.

Caring for a loved one with dementia is challenging and can take a physical and emotional toll. Internet and combined internet and telephone-based programs may provide a cost-effective, easy-to-access option for caregivers seeking information and support.

Hearing loss may be a sign to older adults that there is more going on with their overall health. Recent research suggests that people with hearing loss may be at greater risk of developing dementia.

Treatments including Alzheimer's medications, vitamins, exercise, and memory training, are not effective in improving cognitive decline in people with mild cognitive impairment.

Existing drugs for Alzheimer’s disease treat symptoms, but are not a cure. Health care funders restrict drug plan coverage because of their limited effects.

Many are concerned about how much sleep is 'normal' and how much we need for successful aging. Although there is no simple answer, the scientific evidence shows that sleep duration has important links to health.

The majority of people with Alzheimer’s will develop behaviour problems over time and this causes much suffering and stress for patients and caregivers. There are solutions to manage this.

Simple interventions (family visits, familiar objects, clocks) may help to prevent or recover from acute delirium in hospital. Recognize confusion or agitation and inform staff.