Have you listened to our new podcast yet? If you are just beginning your dementia caregiving journey, Port of Call is a great place to start. Laura and Jocelyn take time to talk through the changes you face with honesty, care, and a practical perspective. We invite you to listen, reflect, and share your thoughts with us. Your voice is part of this conversation. New episode dropping this week! ⭐ Listen to the Port of Call podcast wherever you listen: APPLE PODCAST SPOTIFY YOUTUBE

"Brain training" apps don't prevent dementia. Lumosity. Peak. Elevate. Tens of millions of active users. Zero evidence for dementia prevention. Major studies: ACTIVE: 10 years, 2,800 people ↳ Improved trained tasks only ↳ No transfer to real-world ↳ No dementia prevention FINGER: 2 years, 1,260 people ↳ Multidomain worked ↳ Brain training alone: No benefit Systematic reviews: Consistent ↳ Better at brain training ↳ Doesn't prevent dementia The nuance: These apps can be entertaining. May help you remember names better. Improve specific practiced tasks. But that's different from preventing dementia. The problem: People spend 30 minutes daily on Lumosity. Think they're preventing Alzheimer's. Meanwhile they skip: Exercise (proven prevention) Socializing (60% risk reduction) Managing BP (major factor) False security. What actually prevents: Exercise: 35-50% reduction ↳ 150 min/week moderate ↳ Builds reserve, increases BDNF Social connection: 60% reduction ↳ Real conversations ↳ Meaningful relationships Learning skills: Modest benefit ↳ Languages ↳ Instruments ↳ Complex hobbies BP control: 30-60% reduction ↳ Target <120/80 The disconnect: Brain training is passive. Sit home. Do puzzles. Feel productive. No lifestyle change. Real prevention requires: Get up. Go outside. Move. Connect. Harder. Less convenient. But works. Real cognitive reserve: Years education Lifelong learning Job complexity Bilingualism Musical training Not 30 minutes daily puzzles. My dementia patients say: "Did crosswords every day." "Played brain games for years." "Thought I was preventing it." Did what felt productive. Not what evidence shows works. Activities that do help: Learning new languages: Evidence supports Playing instruments: Some benefit Strategic games with others: Social + cognitive These build reserve through complexity + social engagement. Different from repetitive app tasks. Better use of 30 minutes: Apps → Walking with friend Same time.

Social isolation: 60% higher dementia risk. Same as smoking or hypertension. We rarely ask: "How often see friends?" We should. Research (meta-analyses 2023-2025): Social isolation = 60% higher Loneliness = 40% higher Living alone = 30% higher All modifiable. Why connection protects: Cognitive stimulation ↳ Complex processing ↳ Reading social cues ↳ Theory of mind Stress reduction ↳ Buffers cortisol ↳ Lower inflammation Purpose ↳ Reason to engage ↳ Motivation for health Physical activity ↳ Social activities = movement What counts: Weekly interactions (not just spouse) Regular groups Meaningful conversations Feeling understood Doesn't count: Social media scrolling Work-only relationships Superficial interactions TV with someone present Loneliness paradox: Lonely while surrounded by people. Connected while living alone. Quality > quantity. One deep friendship > 100 Facebook friends. High-risk groups: Widowed older adults Retired professionals Isolated caregivers Moved from family Introverts without networks Why doctors don't screen: Ask about smoking, drinking, exercise. Rarely social connections. No prescription for loneliness. No pill. No procedure. Just awkward friendship talk. What I ask patients 60+: "How many could you call for help?" "Last real conversation?" "Regular social activities?" If concerning, I prescribe: Senior center Classes Volunteer work Reconnect friends Religious community They look at me crazy. "Came for memory, not social advice." I explain: Isolation causes brain changes. Measurable changes: Hippocampal atrophy Elevated cortisol Increased inflammation White matter changes Reversible with connection. Real example: 78-year-old widow. Memory complaints. Testing: Mild impairment. Social: House-bound 18 months. Prescription: ↳ Senior center 3x/week ↳ Library volunteer 1x/week ↳ Reconnect 2 friends 6 months later: ↳ Testing: Significantly improved ↳ Memory: No complaints ↳ Network: Rebuilt No medication. Just connection.

We’re grateful for the messages from listeners who’ve told us that Port of Call has helped them better understand dementia and feel more supported as they move through it. This podcast exists because these conversations matter. Please listen and share what stood out to you. We truly value hearing from the people walking this journey alongside us. Listen to the Port of Call podcast! New episode out next week. APPLE PODCAST SPOTIFY YOUTUBE