Alzheimer's Prevention

While there’s no guaranteed way to prevent Alzheimer’s disease, research shows there are steps you can take today to reduce your risk and support brain health as you age. 

At Banner Health, our memory care experts and research teams work together to offer guidance, early detection services and clinical research opportunities that support healthy aging and cognitive wellness. 

Can Alzheimer’s disease be prevented? 

We don’t yet know how to fully stop Alzheimer’s from developing. However, lifestyle and health choices play a powerful role in lowering your risk. By adopting brain-healthy habits and addressing medical factors, you can help your brain stay strong and more resilient over time. 

How to reduce your Alzheimer’s risk 

Here are evidence-based strategies you can start using now to support brain health and lower Alzheimer’s risk: 

• Stay active. Physical exercise supports heart and brain health, improves circulation, and may help delay age-related cognitive decline. 
• Engage mentally and socially. Activities that challenge your mind - learning, puzzles, reading, social interaction - keep neural pathways engaged. 
• Eat a healthy diet. A colorful, plant-forward diet with lean proteins and healthy fats (e.g. Mediterranean or DASH-style) supports brain function. 
• Get quality sleep. Aim for 7–8 hours of uninterrupted, restorative sleep - especially slow-wave (deep) sleep, which is linked to brain “cleansing.” 
• Support emotional wellness. Managing stress, depression or anxiety helps protect brain health. 
• Control vascular and metabolic risk factors. Keep blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar and weight in healthy ranges. 
• Participate in research. Clinical trials help advance new strategies and treatments for Alzheimer’s prevention. 

Banner Health’s Alzheimer’s and memory care programs are connected to nationally recognized research institutes, including the Banner Alzheimer’s Institute and Banner Sun Health Research Institute, which help develop early detection methods and prevention therapies. 

Be proactive about your brain health 

As we age, some degree of change in memory and thinking is normal - but significant changes or a swift decline are not. It’s okay to ask: How is my brain doing? 

Early monitoring and intervention give you better chances to maintain quality of life. 

Find Alzheimer’s and memory care services near you 

If you’re concerned about memory changes, risk of Alzheimer’s, or want to learn more about prevention, our memory care specialists are ready to help.