While cognitive aging occurs in every individual, there are steps that can help older adults maintain their cognitive health and stay independent later in life.

As the first point of contact to interact with patients, primary care physicians are best positioned to identify patients at-risk for or experiencing cognitive changes due to aging. It’s important to assess your patients’ cognition by recommending or offering screening during wellness visits and passing along the diet, exercise and lifestyle changes that have been proven to help maintain brain health.