When most people think about the health of their brain, mind, and memory, they picture Alzheimer's disease and its devastating end stages. In fact, it's frequently the fear of Alzheimer's that motivates them to take steps towards protecting the health of their brain.

Unfortunately, the biggest risk factors in Alzheimer's are age and genetics (neither one of which can be changed) and there's no proven method to prevent or cure the disease. Some studies suggest that lifestyle changes may be able to reduce some risk factors, but there's little proof that these changes can overcome those important genetic and age factors of the disease.

So why spend energy, money, and time on brain fitness?

Because the healthier your brain is, the better equipped it is to cope with any of the potential challenges that can damage mind and memory functions.

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My Grandmother turned 89 this month, and while she has  more than her share of aches and pains some days,  her brain is in high gear.  She still drives, she's more socially active than anyone I know (regardless of age). She does water aerobics twice a week, eats right, follows her doctors' advice religiously, and is constantly challenging her brain with computerized sewing machines, artistic endeavors, and historical novels that would bog me down.

Of course, she does forget things, as we all do.  She misses a hair appointment here and there, occasionally loses track of her umpteen doctors appointments, forgets a grandson-in-laws birthday now and then. And, most amusingly?

Last week (after a full day of doctor's appointments, exercise class, and a trip to Walmart) she pulled up to the drugstore drive-thru, paid for the prescriptions with a check, closed her purse and drove off - without her pills.

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Do you fall asleep with the TV on?

If you wake during the night, do you flip open your laptop or smartphone, and pass the time by browsing the web?

Your late night gadget habit might be contributing to insomnia, which in turn contributes to troubles with cognitive functions like memory and concentration.

The screens of most TVs and computer displays emit a blue-spectrum light that may, in some people, disrupt their natural sleep cycles and cause insomnia. And those hip new backlit electronic books, smart phones and tablet computers? We tend to hold them closer to our faces, in otherwise dark rooms, making the impact of the light on our eyes and brains even stronger.

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At a recent caregiver workshop, a lady raised her hand and said that her husband was recently diagnosed with vascular dementia. She wondered how that was different from Alzheimer's. Dementia is the big umbrella name for diseases that are neurological and affect our memories and other cognitive abilities. Alzheimer's is the largest sub-category of dementia followed by vascular dementia. What is vascular dementia? Vascular dementia is caused when the blood supply to the brain is blocked. It affects a person's memory and cognitive functioning, which includes the ability to reason, recognize things, and make sound judgment. It tends to affect people between the ages of 60 and 75. It affects more men than women and appears to be related to heart disease and—particularly—high blood pressure. It can come on gradually or suddenly.

Vascular Dementia Can Affect:

• Slurred speech
• Language problems
• Abnormal behavior
• Wandering or getting lost in familiar surroundings
• Laughing or crying inappropriately
• Difficulty following instructions
• Problems handling money

There is a bit of good news: by doing all you can to prevent heart disease and high blood pressure, you help to prevent vascular dementia. Daily exercise, eating healthy, taking medications prescribed for your conditions, and keeping your brain sharp and engaged are the best ways to prevent vascular dementia and heart disease. Know the signs of a stroke:

• Brief episodes of numbness
• Temporary loss of vision, speech, or strength may indicate a mini-stroke (TIA) or a stroke.

If you experience these symptoms, call 911 immediately. There are medications that, when taken early, can help to prevent or deter the effects of a stroke. The better we educate ourselves, the more we empower ourselves. Share this information with family and friends. Vascular dementia is one disease we can help to prevent. *from Helpguide.org

My mom was determined to call a taxi and "go home." Problem was, we moved two states away! She had Alzheimer's and I couldn't convince her that this was her new home. Every time I turned around, she was trying to "escape." I called her my little Houdini. Once I found her in the bushes outside the front of our house. That scared me. She was quick and stubborn—and it was time to get my act together. Every day, hundreds of elders wander off—many due to Alzheimer's or dementia. The sad fact is that some don't make it back. Every family caregiver with a "wanderer" knows what a challenge this can be. It's like having a toddler (or a teenager) you can't turn your back on. You panic and think of every awful, terrible scenario the second you can't find them. 5 Tips to Keep Our Elders Safe from Wandering:

• "Elder Proof" your house just as you would for a toddler. Move dangerous chemicals and medication out of reach, make sure your bath water isn't too hot, and take extra caution when you're cooking. Be sure to keep stairs clear (or consider a gate). Even consider keeping your keys put away and take precaution if you have a pool or live near a body of water.
• Get an alarm system on your house and doors. It'll beep any time there's activity—because wandering happens all hours of the day and night, even when you are home. Also, get a dead bolt lock (great for doors you don't use frequently) and keep the key on your keychain—hooked to your person or put up safe.
• Get your loved one an ID bracelet or other forms of identification. Be sure to have a photo of how they look now.
• Check to see if your state has the Silver Alert system. It broadcasts a missing elder alert to the news and on the highways.
• Be friendly with your neighbors and ask them to help "keep an eye" out. Nothing is more helpful than being surrounded with people who care. If you need to go off, ask a neighbor, church volunteer, or community volunteer to come and sit with your loved one. If they've wandered once, they'll do it again.

These simple tips can help keep your loved one safe. And in the end, gadgets alone don't keep our elders safe—having people who care and who check on them often is crucial to their safety.