Brain and emotional health are important parts of overall well-being. Staying physically active, sleeping well, managing health conditions, maintaining relationships, and seeking help when something does not feel right can all support quality of life.

Changes in memory, mood, or sleep should not automatically be dismissed as “just getting older.” Many concerns are treatable, and an early conversation with a healthcare professional can help identify the cause.

Supporting Brain Health

No single food, activity, or supplement can guarantee that memory problems will be prevented. However, habits that support general health may also support brain health:

• Be physically active at a level appropriate for your abilities.
• Stay socially connected.
• Continue learning and participating in meaningful activities.
• Manage blood pressure, diabetes, cholesterol, and other health conditions.
• Address hearing or vision loss.
• Get regular, sufficient sleep.
• Eat a balanced diet.
• Avoid smoking.
• Limit alcohol.
• Review medications regularly with a physician or pharmacist.
• Protect your head by using seat belts, helmets, and fall-prevention measures.

Activities do not have to be complicated. Reading, playing games, learning a skill, making music, gardening, volunteering, joining a class, and spending time with others can provide mental and social stimulation.

Be cautious of products claiming to “reverse” memory loss or prevent dementia. Discuss supplements with a healthcare professional before taking them.

Memory Changes: When to Seek Help

Occasionally forgetting a name or appointment and remembering it later can happen to anyone. Memory changes deserve professional attention when they begin interfering with daily life, safety, judgment, or independence.

Possible warning signs include:

• Repeatedly asking the same questions
• Becoming lost in familiar places
• Difficulty managing bills, medications, or appointments
• Trouble following familiar instructions
• Increasing difficulty finding words or participating in conversation
• Poor judgment or unsafe decisions
• Significant personality or behavior changes
• Confusion about time, people, or places
• Leaving appliances on or creating other safety risks
• Memory problems noticed by family or friends
• Symptoms that are becoming more frequent or severe

Memory problems can have many causes, including medication effects, depression, poor sleep, hearing loss, vitamin deficiencies, thyroid problems, infection, or other medical conditions. An evaluation does not automatically mean a diagnosis of dementia.

Make an appointment with a primary-care professional if you or someone close to you is concerned. Bring a current medication list and examples of the changes you have noticed.

Sudden confusion is not a normal memory change. Call 911 for confusion that begins suddenly, especially when accompanied by weakness, facial drooping, difficulty speaking, severe headache, fainting, or another abrupt change.

Sleep

Sleep supports concentration, mood, memory, physical health, and daytime functioning. Sleep patterns may change with age, but regularly sleeping poorly should not simply be accepted.

Helpful habits include:

• Keep a consistent bedtime and waking time.
• Develop a quiet bedtime routine.
• Keep the bedroom dark, comfortable, and cool.
• Get daytime physical activity and natural light.
• Limit late-day caffeine.
• Avoid large meals and alcohol near bedtime.
• Reduce television, telephone, and tablet use before bed.
• Use the bed primarily for sleep.
• Discuss frequent nighttime urination, pain, or medication effects with a healthcare professional.

Seek medical guidance for loud snoring, gasping during sleep, persistent insomnia, unusual nighttime behaviors, morning headaches, or excessive daytime sleepiness. Do not begin regular use of an over-the-counter sleep aid without discussing it with a physician or pharmacist.

The National Institute on Aging provides additional information about sleep and older adults.

Stress, Depression, Anxiety and Grief

Health changes, caregiving, retirement, financial concerns, loss, and reduced independence can create stress. Grief after a loss is personal and does not follow a fixed schedule.

Depression and anxiety are medical conditions, not personal failures or inevitable parts of aging. Possible signs that additional support may be needed include:

• Persistent sadness, worry, irritability, or hopelessness
• Loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities
• Withdrawing from friends or family
• Major changes in sleep, appetite, or energy
• Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
• Increased use of alcohol or medications
• Feeling worthless or like a burden
• Thoughts of death, suicide, or self-harm

Begin by speaking with a primary-care professional, counselor, therapist, faith leader, or another trusted person. A healthcare professional can also check whether medications or physical conditions are contributing to the symptoms.

Loneliness and Social Isolation

A person can live alone without feeling lonely, and someone surrounded by others can still feel disconnected. Both loneliness and social isolation deserve attention.

Ways to strengthen connection may include:

• Schedule regular calls, visits, or shared meals.
• Attend a class, exercise group, club, or faith-community activity.
• Volunteer for a cause that matters to you.
• Reconnect with an old friend.
• Ask someone to attend a new activity with you.
• Use telephone or video calls when travel is difficult.
• Seek help with hearing, vision, or transportation barriers.
• Participate in programs at the Moore County Senior Enrichment Center or Pinehurst Parks and Recreation.

The Moore County Department of Aging can help residents locate activities, volunteer opportunities, transportation information, and other services. Call 910-947-4483.

Dementia and Alzheimer’s Resources

“Dementia” is a general term for changes in memory, thinking, or behavior that interfere with daily life. Alzheimer’s disease is one cause of dementia, but it is not the only cause.

If dementia is suspected:

1. Schedule a medical evaluation.
2. Write down specific changes and when they began.
3. Bring a complete medication and supplement list.
4. Take a trusted person to the appointment, if possible.
5. Ask about safety, driving, medication management, legal planning, and available support.
6. Avoid making assumptions before a qualified professional completes an evaluation.

The Alzheimer’s Association offers information for people experiencing memory changes, individuals living with dementia, caregivers, and families.

Its free 24/7 Alzheimer’s and Dementia Helpline is available at 800-272-3900. The helpline can provide information, emotional support, local resource referrals, care-planning assistance, and help understanding dementia-related behaviors.

Mental-Health and Crisis Assistance

Immediate danger

Call 911 if someone is in immediate danger, has attempted suicide, has a life-threatening injury, or cannot be kept safe.

Suicide, emotional distress or mental-health crisis

Call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. The service is available around the clock for people experiencing:

• Thoughts of suicide or self-harm
• Severe emotional distress
• A mental-health or substance-use crisis
• Concern about a friend or family member
• A need to talk with a trained crisis counselor

People do not have to be suicidal to contact 988. Calls, texts, and online chat are free and confidential.

Supporting a Friend Who May Be Struggling

You do not need to be a mental-health professional to show concern.

• Choose a private setting and describe what you have noticed.
• Listen without interrupting, judging, or immediately trying to solve the problem.
• Say directly that you care.
• Avoid dismissing the person’s feelings or telling them to “cheer up.”
• Ask what kind of help would be useful.
• Offer to help contact a physician, counselor, family member, 988, or another resource.
• Follow up after the conversation.
• Take statements about suicide, self-harm, or being a burden seriously.

If you are concerned about suicide, ask clearly whether the person is thinking about harming themselves. Do not promise to keep suicidal thoughts secret. Contact 988 for guidance, and call 911 if there is immediate danger. Stay with the person, if it is safe to do so, until appropriate help arrives.

Asking for help is a sign of good judgment—not weakness. Effective treatment and support are available for memory concerns, sleep problems, depression, anxiety, grief, loneliness, and caregiver stress.

This page provides general educational information and is not a substitute for diagnosis or treatment by a qualified healthcare professional.