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Crossword puzzles help delay the onset of memory decline in people who develop dementia. This brain activity helps you improve your verbal skills, and forces you to think deeply.

Give your brain a small challenge by playing a game of crossword. - There's a new puzzle every day!

Click here to access and download today’s crossword.

Source: Alzheimer Society of Canada

Here’s a fun activity to challenge your brain! It’s a little more challenging than the previous activity in Part 3.

Take a few minutes and see how well you do. It’s not a test, just another example of one of the many activities you can do to give your brain a boost.

How to play?

• See below four (4) audio clips of easy piano melodies.  They’re brief – just seconds in length!
• Listen to the four (4) audio clips.  Listen closely!
• Decide which two (2) of the audio clips are the exact same melodies.
• Check out the link below for the correct answer

Good luck!

Source: ASANT CAFE

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Piano Melody A

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Piano Melody B

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Piano Melody C

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Piano Melody D

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Here’s a fun activity to challenge your brain! Take a few minutes and see how well you do. It’s not a test, just another example of one of the many activities you can do to give your brain a boost.

How to play?

• See below three (3) audio clips of easy piano melodies.  They’re brief – just seconds in length!
• Listen to the three (3) audio clips.  Listen closely!
• Decide which two (2) of the audio clips are the exact same melodies.
• Check out the link below for the correct answer

Good luck!

Source: ASANT CAFE

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Piano Melody A

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Piano Melody B

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Piano Melody C

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Challenging your brain doesn't have to be difficult. It can be as simple as dialing a phone number with your less dominant hand or as complex as learning a new language.

Remember, the goal is to give your brain a new experience and a workout every day.

Try some of these ideas!

1. Play chess, word and number puzzles, jigsaws, crosswords and memory games.
2. Pursue a new interest such as learning to play a musical instrument, taking a course or going to the theatre.
3. Break your routine – take a different route to the store or change the order of your morning routine.
4. Involve one or more of your senses in a novel way - write your name with your opposite hand.
5. Read a book or go see a movie – discuss it with a friend.
6. Pursue cultural activities like going to plays, museums, concerts and galleries.
7. Keep up hobbies such as sewing, carpentry or take up a new hobby.
8. Cross train your brain – try a variety of challenges.

Note: Your abilities, health and interests should be taken into consideration when choosing brain healthy activities. If you have questions about your own situation, speak to your doctor or health care provider.

Source: Alzheimer Society of Canada

Studies have shown that keeping your brain active by challenging your brain in new ways may help reduce the risk of developing Alzheimers disease. Research also shows that using your brain can build new cells and strengthen connections between them. This helps build up a safety net in case some brain cells are damaged or die. 

Giving your brain a workout doesn't have to be difficult. Simply approach daily routines in new ways and you will be engaging new or little use pathways in your brain.

The research stresses the importance of overcoming routine and monotony in our daily lives and coming up with different ways of challenging your brain.

How exactly do you get your brain to workout?

It can be as simple as trying something new or changing the way you normally do something; for example dialling the phone or writing your name with your less dominant hand. Learning a new game or language could also be something challenging. The goal is to give your brain a new experience and a workout each and every day. Think about things that you might be interested in trying to keep your brain active and healthy.

Source: ASANT CAFE

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Brain Health - Challenge your brain

Check out this video for more tips about challenging your brain:

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Access the Video Transcript

Step 1: Pull up the video you want the transcript of on the YouTube app.

Step 2: Click on the arrow next to the description to bring up the video details.

Step 3: Scroll down and click 'Show Transcript.'

What is a concussion?

A concussion is a brain injury that cannot be seen on routine X-rays, CT scans, or MRIs. It affects the way a child may think and remember things, and can cause a variety of symptoms.

What causes a concussion?

Any blow to the head, face or neck, or a blow to the body which causes a sudden jarring of the head may cause a concussion (e.g., a ball to the head, colliding with another person).

What should I do if I suspect my child has a concussion?

In all suspected cases of concussion, your child should stop the activity right away. Continuing increases their risk of more severe, longer-lasting concussion symptoms, as well as increases their risk of other injury.

Copyright © Parachute

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Concussion Guide for Parents and Caregivers

For more details about concussion symptoms and guidance download a copy of Parachute's Concussion Guide for Parents and Caregivers:

Download File

Less than 20 per cent of reported bicycle injuries involve collisions with cars. Most occur in falls, or as a result of riders losing control. A bad fall can result from a skid, catching a wheel in a crack or even getting a shoelace caught in the chain.

In a spill, the forehead usually hits the ground first. Head injuries cause most bicycle-related deaths and can result in serious injury such as brain damage. Up to 88 per cent of serious head injuries could be prevented by wearing a helmet.

It is critical for you and your children to wear a bike helmet that fits properly and is certified by CSA International

Insist that your children always wear a helmet when riding. (It goes without saying that parents must set an example by always wearing theirs when cycling)

Remember, a helmet only works when you wear it!

Source: Canada Safety Council

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Facts and Myths about Helmet Legislation

What are the rules?

Download and print a copy of Parachute's Facts and Myths about Helmet Legislation:

Download File,

Copyright © Parachute

Being proactive about brain health is something we can all do. Protecting your head is an important piece of the puzzle in reducing your risk for Alzheimer's disease. Researchers have found that people who have experienced brain injuries, especially repeated concussions have a higher risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. 

Protecting your head at every age makes more sense than ever. 

Young people are at a greater risk for head traumas that can affect their brain health in the future. It is important to wear a helmet during activities like:

• Cycling
• Skiing
• Skateboarding or
• Rollerblading

Copyright © Parachute

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Which Helmet for Which Activity?

But how to you choose the best helmet?

No matter your age, download and print a copy of Parachute's "Which Helmet for Which Activity?" to guide your choice of helmet based on what activity you will be doing.

Download File

Less than 20 per cent of reported bicycle injuries involve collisions with cars. Most occur in falls, or as a result of riders losing control. A bad fall can result from a skid, catching a wheel in a crack or even getting a shoelace caught in the chain.

In a spill, the forehead usually hits the ground first. Head injuries cause most bicycle-related deaths and can result in serious injury such as brain damage. Up to 88 per cent of serious head injuries could be prevented by wearing a helmet.

It is critical for you and your children to wear a bike helmet that fits properly and is certified by CSA International

Insist that your children always wear a helmet when riding. (It goes without saying that parents must set an example by always wearing theirs when cycling)

Remember, a helmet only works when you wear it!

When choosing a helmet:

• You should try on several helmets carefully.
• Level the helmet over your forehead and adjust the chin strap to fit snugly and comfortably.
• It should protect the forehead without slipping forward or backward.
• It should not move unless the scalp moves.

A trained salesperson will help you ensure the fit is right.

Source:  Canada Safety Council

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“2 V 1” Rule helmet fitting bookmark

Download File,

Wear it Right Every Time!

Download File,

Copyright © Parachute

As the Canadian population ages, injury and death from falls are on the rise. And a serious head injury -with loss of consciousness, is associated with a higher risk of developing dementia.

Here are few recommendations for proactively preventing falls in your home:

1. Talk to your doctor about falls prevention. Have regular vision and hearing tests.
2. Take prescription and over-the-counter medications correctly. Keep a medication record and review it regularly with your doctor. Tell your doctor if your medication makes you dizzy or light-headed.
3. Install proper lighting throughout your home. Pay special attention to stairs (with a light switch at both ends) and bathrooms. Use night-lights in the hallways, particularly between the bedroom and bathroom.
4. Keep your floor and stairs free of clutter. Avoid the use of scatter rugs.
5. Be sure to have at least one handrail (preferably two) on all stairways and steps in your home. Ensure handrails are securely attached and in good repair.
6. Check that stairs are in good repair and are slip resistant. If any stairs are broken, have them fixed promptly. Add a strip along the edge of each step in a contrasting color to make it easier to see or use reflective anti-skid treads.
7. Take the same precautions for outdoor steps. In addition, arrange to have leaves, snow and ice removed on a regular basis. Use salt or sand throughout the winter months.
8. Wear proper footwear. Shoes, boots and slippers should provide good support and have good soles. Avoid loose slippers or stocking feet.
9. Install grab bars in all bathrooms, by the toilet and in the bathtub or shower. It's a good idea to have two bars in the tub, one on a side wall and one on the back wall. If you need extra support, consider a bath seat or bench so you can have a shower sitting down.
10. Use a rubber mat along the full length in your tub, and a non-skid bath mat beside the tub.
11. Use walking aids and other safety devices for extra safety. If you use a cane or a walker, check that it is the right height and that the rubber tips are not worn. Install stainless steel prongs (ice picks) on canes for safe walking in the winter.