Our brains govern who we are, how we engage with the world, and the roles we can play in our families and communities. Good brain health helps us think, move, and feel. It helps us live independently, make decisions, and handle our daily lives. But as we age, maintaining brain health can be difficult as new issues arise.
Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias are some of the major concerns related to aging. These diseases are progressive brain disorders that damage memory, impair thinking, and interfere with daily tasks. Ultimately, Alzheimer’s can change who we are. There are things we can do to protect ourselves and our loved ones, such as improving our diet and seeking early healthcare interventions.
Black and Latino families face higher risks for memory related to changes in memory and thinking, Alzheimer’s, and other dementias, yet we experience delayed diagnoses, fewer referrals to specialists, and less access to care and support. Americans are becoming more racially and ethnically diverse as the country ages, and changes in brain health are top of mind when growing older.
For many families, changes in brain health are a taboo topic. To protect the dignity of our older loved ones, we often treat memory loss as something to whisper about, explain away, or ignore:
- “He’s just getting older.”
- “She’s always been forgetful.”
- “Don’t worry about it, I can do that instead.”
Yet in other areas of life, our communities know the power of speaking up. From the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X to Cesar Chavez, communities of color have a long history of activism. For people experiencing changes in memory and thinking, that activism translates to patient advocacy. Brain health leaders like fashion designer Arlinda McIntosh promotes having open, honest discussions about memory health. As she shared with BlackDoctor.org, “If Nana forgets her shirt, that means it’s time to go to the doctor. You have to make it okay to talk about these things.”
Speaking up and making a positive change for brain health can start in our own household, our faith community, or our neighborhood. For the person in our life facing changes in memory and thinking, quiet concern isn’t enough – love is spoken out loud. And when we normalize these conversations, families feel safer asking for help.
Finding Space to Raise the Volume
That’s why raising the volume is essential. When we speak up early about memory changes, even the small ones, we create space for:
- Brain health education that supports measures to reduce risks, like diet and exercise early in our lives.
- Information about earlier diagnosis, care, and protecting brain health.
- Early discussions with healthcare providers (HCPs) about brain health.
- Culturally grounded healthcare and caregiver support.
- Stronger relationships between healthcare professionals and patients.
- People experiencing cognitive changes to share their concerns and feel accepted.
- Safer homes and routines for our loved ones and older adults.
Raising the volume turns “something’s wrong” into “let’s figure this out together.”
In Your Primary Healthcare Provider’s Office
Raising the volume with your healthcare provider (e.g., doctor, nurse practitioner, physician’s assistant, or other medical professionals) can initiate brain health conversations early and often to ensure an ongoing risk-reducing conversation:
- Ask your healthcare provider for a quick “brain check-in.” Say something like: “Can we talk about my memory, mood, sleep, and concentration?”
- Share any small changes early. Even if they seem minor—forgetfulness, trouble focusing, or feeling more anxious—tell your healthcare provider now rather than waiting.
- Review your lifestyle habits together. Ask: “How are my sleep, exercise, and diet affecting my brain health?”
- Ask if any medications could affect thinking or memory. Some common drugs can cause brain fog, and your healthcare provider can review and adjust.
- Request routine brain health tracking. Ask your provider to check in once a year about cognition, mental health, and lifestyle (just like blood pressure or cholesterol).
To help you think about what to ask during your next visit, we’ve put together a resource on starting a brain health conversation with your healthcare provider. Read it here and be sure to download the questionnaire to bring with you.
In Our Faith Communities
In our communities, faith is not just about showing up for an hour once a week. Faith is woven into how we cope, how we heal, and how we look out for each other. Religious and faith leaders interact with community members' lives almost every day. They can be there to see the earliest signs of memory change, long before a healthcare provider might.
Raising the volume in a faith community could look like:
- Incorporating the importance of brain health in the health ministry.
- Sharing information about brain health in one-on-one conversations, men’s and women’s groups, classes or Bible studies, or celebrations and festivals.
- Including brain health as a priority in the health ministry agenda and at health fairs.
- Hosting a dedicated “Memory Sunday” event to put brain health front and center.
- Accommodating people experiencing changes in memory and thinking and making the community “dementia friendly” so that they can participate in faith programs.
- Creating caregiver support groups to ensure that friends and family have a place to air concerns, troubleshoot, and take a break.
In Our Neighborhoods
In our neighborhoods, the people around us might be the first to see signs of memory changes. Many people experiencing changes in memory and thinking may start with issues handling money or getting lost. These moments are opportunities to start a conversation about brain health.
Raising the volume in a neighborhood could look like:
- Creating brain health and dementia awareness programs, such as a community garden for brain health or an Alzheimer’s awareness walk.
- Starting a conversation about brain health with a friend or neighbor.
- At the barbershop, where someone asks, “Hey, have you noticed he’s started getting quiet lately?”
- At the salon, where a stylist says, “Your mom seemed a little confused today, is she okay?”
- At the local store, where an owner notices an elder struggling to count change or forgetting their usual order.
In Our Homes
Raising the volume doesn’t have to be dramatic or confrontational. It shouldn’t hurt. Instead, it can be gentle, curious, and rooted in love.
- With family: “Dad seems to forget more things lately. Have you noticed anything?”
- With friends: “I’m worried about my aunt. Will you go with me to check on her?”
- At church: “Can we add caregiver support or memory-loss awareness to our health ministry?”
- At the doctor’s office: “This is what we’ve been seeing at home. What should we do next? Who can we talk to?”
- With others in the community: “If you notice her struggling, please call me. We’re trying to keep her safe.”
The goal is not to diagnose. It’s to gather information, build awareness, and connect people to help.
We’re Raising the Volume So Everyone Can Be Heard
Alzheimer’s doesn’t just affect the person with symptoms. It affects their entire support network and community. That’s why organizing caregivers, family, and friends is part of raising the volume. Many people can and want to help, such as:
- An early brain health journey with your healthcare provider before you see signs of memory and thinking declines, so that you are taking a proactive approach.
- Relatives who check in weekly.
- Neighbors who keep an eye out.
- A pastor or church member who provides emotional support.
- A business owner who notices changes.
- Friends who can give respite breaks.
- A healthcare provider who reviews symptoms.
- A community center that offers programs or activities.
Raising the volume is a commitment to speak up rather than stay quiet. It’s taking those first steps and checking in or reaching out instead of assuming someone else will do it.
Our family members carried us as we grew. Now it’s our turn to carry them, with honesty, connection, and community that keeps them from feeling lonely and isolated. Together, we can build a community that supports our loved ones, and we do this by raising the volume.
So, talk about brain health. Speak up early and often. Talk together when you get the chance. Silence doesn’t protect our families or our communities. Raising the volume does.
To learn more about Raising the Volume in your family and community, visit www.alzincolor.com for tools and resources to help share your voice.
