HHS Offers Evidence-Based Materials for Conversations About Brain Health

The Brain Health Resource, recently released by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), is a new set of materials that highlights what people can do to help keep their brains functioning best as they age. The materials are intended to facilitate conversations on brain health and consist of:

• A PowerPoint presentation that teaches older adults and their caregivers how to reduce risks related to brain health;

• An accompanying Educator Guide that provides additional information for presenters to share with audiences;

• A one-page handout for older adults and caregivers called Brain Health as You Age: You Can Make a Difference; and

• A supplementary handout, Brain Health as You Age: Key Facts and Resources, that includes basic information and resources for the topics covered in the presentation.

These resources provide ready-made materials that public health officials can use to promote brain health – as a stand-alone effort and/or by integrating the messages into existing relevant public health efforts. In addition, local public health officials should consider partnering with their local Area Agency on Aging (AAA) to present and distribute this material at places such as local senior centers. For more information on the materials or how to use them, please contact Jane Tilly with the Administration for Community Living (ACL) atjane.tilly@acl.hhs.gov.