Misryoum reports on the Brain Care Score, a free online tool guiding Americans on lifestyle changes linked to dementia risk.
A new online tool is offering Americans something many people never get with health risk: a clear, personalized starting point.
For Lauren Sprague, the concern is personal and constant.. After her father developed a stroke when she was in high school. his health declined gradually. ending with his death at 63.. “Since I was 16. ” she said. “every day” she carried the fear that something similar could happen to her. especially as she watched her own children grow.
In this context. Misryoum highlights how neurologist Jonathan Rosand describes the problem many families assume is fixed: genetics and family history do not automatically decide a person’s future.. Instead. he points to everyday habits that can shift risk over time. including choices related to diet. activity. and other factors tied to brain health.
Misryoum notes that this is important because dementia anxiety is widespread, yet most people are left with general advice. A structured self-assessment could help translate public health guidance into actions individuals can actually consider.
Rosand says a growing body of research suggests a substantial share of dementia cases may be preventable or delayed by addressing modifiable risk factors.. Those factors include issues such as physical inactivity. smoking. hearing and vision problems. high blood pressure. diabetes. depression. and social isolation. among others.. The idea, he emphasizes, is not to provide a one-size-fits-all warning, but to show how daily decisions can matter.
The centerpiece of the approach is the Brain Care Score, a free questionnaire available online.. According to Misryoum. it helps people identify which modifiable risks may apply to them. then encourages choosing specific habits to focus on improving.. In practice. the healthier someone’s routines. the higher their score. and the tool frames the results as a guide for what to work on next rather than a verdict.
This matters because a “score” can make risk feel concrete while also making improvement feel possible. It reframes brain health as something people can actively manage, not just something they fear.
Sprague’s changes began with her family’s routines.. She and her husband shifted their approach in the kitchen. leaning more into vegetables and cutting back on highly processed foods.. She also increased time outdoors, linking it to both physical activity and stress relief.. And she brought more creative and meaningful activities into her day. describing singing and making things as a way to support purpose.
Misryoum reports that Rosand sees the Brain Care Score as a practical next step for anyone trying to take control. The message he wants to deliver is straightforward: people have options, and they can choose the direction of those options based on their own lives and priorities.
At the end of the day, Misryoum underscores that while no tool can eliminate uncertainty, giving individuals a path forward can reduce helplessness. For families living with the shadow of dementia, that shift from fear to action may be as significant as the medical advice itself.