January is Alzheimer Awareness Month, and the Alzheimer Society of Nova Scotia is promoting 12 actions that you can take to improve your brain health to reduce the risk of developing the condition. A landmark study released by the Alzheimer Society of Canada stated that certain risk factors could reduce the prevalence of dementia by up to 40 percent.

The twelve actions are being physically active each day, protecting your heart health, staying socially active, managing medical conditions, challenging your thinking, getting a good night’s sleep every night, having depression treated, avoiding excessive alcohol intake, maintaining your hearing, finding meaning in life, avoiding head injury, and adopting healthier behaviors.

Sacha Nadeau, from the Alzheimer Society of Nova Scotia says some of these actions are more difficult than others but committing to one or two can still reduce your risk.  CEO John Britton of the society says this can have a positive impact on care partners, the healthcare system and the number of people affected by dementia in the future.

A public education event exploring these topics is set to take place on January 31st at 6:30 in the evening in the Paul O’Regan Hall at the Halifax Central Library.