Brain Health and Alzheimer's Risk Reduction
A Plan to Lower Your Risk
This page is for adults who want to lower their risk of memory loss, Alzheimer's disease and other kinds of dementia.
We offer our Brain Health Program by telehealth across Washington and Idaho. Our clinic is in Spokane.
Many people search for "Alzheimer's prevention." We want to be honest with you. No clinic can promise that you will not get Alzheimer's disease. What studies do show is that you can lower your risk. That is what this program is for.
What the Science Shows
- Experts estimate that about 45 out of 100 cases of dementia are linked to 14 risks that people can change. High blood pressure, hearing loss, smoking and too little exercise are four of them.
- In a large U.S. study called U.S. POINTER, 2,111 older adults at higher risk followed a healthy lifestyle plan for 2 years. Their scores on thinking tests went up. The group with more structure and support gained a little more.
- In another large study, tighter blood pressure control lowered the chance of mild memory and thinking problems by about 19%.
- These studies measured risk and test scores. They did not prove that Alzheimer's disease can be prevented.
Who This Program Is For
Adults age 45 and older with one or more of these:
- A parent, brother or sister with Alzheimer's disease or dementia
- High blood pressure, diabetes, prediabetes or high cholesterol
- Hearing loss, poor sleep or sleep apnea
- The APOE e4 gene
- Worry about memory, even when tests are normal
This program is not for people who already have dementia. If your memory test shows a problem, we refer you to a neurologist or memory clinic for a full workup.
What We Check
- Memory and thinking. A short test that gives us a starting point.
- Blood pressure, weight and waist.
- Blood tests. Cholesterol, blood sugar, thyroid, vitamin B12, vitamin D, homocysteine and your omega-3 level.
- Hearing, vision and sleep. Problems here raise risk, and they can be treated.
- Your medicines. Some medicines can cloud thinking.
- APOE gene test. This test is your choice. We talk it through first, and you sign a consent form.
Your Plan Has Six Parts
- Move. Exercise that raises your heart rate 4 days a week, and strength work 2 days a week.
- Eat well. The MIND diet: leafy greens, berries, beans, whole grains, nuts, fish and olive oil.
- Use your brain and see people. Brain training 3 times a week, and time with others each week.
- Sleep. 7 to 8 hours a night.
- Know your numbers. Blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar and weight.
- Protect your brain. No smoking, little or no alcohol, and vaccines up to date.
We also treat what we find. That can mean high blood pressure, high blood sugar, low vitamin levels, hearing loss, sleep apnea or depression.
How Visits Work
- First visit. We talk about your health and your goals. You take the memory test, and we order blood tests.
- Second visit. We go over your results and write your plan with you.
- Follow-up. We check in on a set schedule and adjust the plan. Once a year we repeat the memory test and the main blood tests.
Every visit is with a licensed clinician who can prescribe. You will not be handed off to a health coach.
What We Will Not Promise
- This program is not a guarantee. Some people do everything right and still get Alzheimer's disease.
- No supplement has been proven to prevent Alzheimer's disease.
- We do not use Alzheimer's blood tests on people without symptoms. Those tests are made for people who already have memory problems.
- This program does not diagnose or treat dementia. It does not replace your other doctors.
Common Questions
Can Alzheimer's disease be prevented?
No one can promise that. Studies show that healthy habits and control of blood pressure and other health numbers can lower your risk. Our program is built on those studies. It is not a guarantee.
Do I need the APOE gene test?
No. It is your choice. Your plan is the same with or without the gene. In the largest U.S. lifestyle study, people with and without APOE e4 improved about the same.
Do you offer blood tests for Alzheimer's disease?
Not for people without symptoms. Those tests are cleared for adults who already have memory problems. If your memory test shows a problem, we refer you for a full workup.
Can I do this by telehealth?
Yes. We see adults in Washington and Idaho by telehealth. Blood work is done at a lab near you.
Does insurance pay for it?
Visits are not billed to insurance. Blood work and prescriptions can go through your insurance, or you can pay our cash price.
Take the First Step
Schedule a free 15-minute call with a clinician. We serve adults in Washington and Idaho by telehealth.
Call or Text 509-720-6314 Email Care@evergreenmed.health