Brain Health Basics
ACL's 2018 update of its Brain Health Resource offers a PowerPoint presentation for professionals to use in educating older adults and adults with disabilities about brain health as we age, and a related handout for consumers. These materials update and simplify educational materials from a 2014 collaboration between ACL, the National Institutes for Health (NIH), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
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The PowerPoint presentation (PPT, 4.3MB) helps people learn how to reduce the risks related to brain health. This presentation addresses normal aging of the brain, threats to brain health, and healthy aging for the body and brain.
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A two-page handout (PDF, 1.7MB) for the consumer audience covers the basics of brain health.
Medicine, Age, and Your Brain
ACL's Medicine, Age, and Your Brain contains a PowerPoint presentation, educator brochure, and a one-page handout for consumers.
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The PowerPoint presentation (PPT, 581KB) explains the impact some medicines can have on an older adult's brain, and the importance of talking with a doctor about this topic.
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The Educator Brochure (PDF, 838KB) offers additional information for presenters to share with audiences.
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A one-page handout (PDF, 574KB) for consumers covers the potential impact of some medicines on brain health.
Brain Injury
The Brain Injuries: Prevention, Rehabilitation, and Community Living (PDF) brochure addresses brain injuries, how to prevent them, and what happens after they occur. The pamphlet covers brain injury statistics, causes of brain injuries, prevention strategies, health and rehabilitation after injury, and sources of help. This material was developed in 2015.
Dementia
The following issue briefs explain dementia-capable long-term services and supports for individuals and their family caregivers.
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Dementia-capable States and Communities: the Basics (PDF) defines dementia-capability and explores:
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Brain health and dementia education
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Identifying and referring people with possible dementia for diagnosis
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Ensuring program eligibility and resource allocation take into account the impact of cognitive disabilities
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Effective staff communication with people with dementia and their caregivers
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Person- and family-centered services
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Quality assurance systems that measure dementia-capability
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Development of dementia-friendly communities
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Responding to the Wandering Behavior of People with Dementia (PDF)
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Service needs of people who are at risk of wandering
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Discussing person-centered approaches to meet needs
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Services options that can address wandering
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Promoting Community Living for Older Adults Who Need Long-term Services and Supports (PDF, 297KB)
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Evidence about the effects of providing more HCBS
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State recommendations
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Special circumstances of older adults with dementia
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More Information about Brain Health
If you have questions about ACL's brain health materials or how to use them, please contact vijeth.iyengar@acl.hhs.gov.