Wednesday, July 10, 2024 – Tracking and addressing elder cognitive decline

More than half of Native American elders from rural areas have some sort of cognitive impairment, a condition that ranges from mild memory loss all the way to dementia. That’s the conclusion of a new, first-of-its-kind research by The Strong Heart Study over seven years. It focused on members of 11 tribes and included cognitive testing, neurological examinations and brain imaging. The study points to high rates of vascular disease, diabetes and traumatic brain injury in Native populations as contributors. We’ll hear about the study, advice for preventing and diagnosing cognitive impairments and programs aimed at helping elders experiencing symptoms.