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Brain Health Resources for Illinoisans

Studies suggest that actions we take throughout our lives can reduce the risk of cognitive decline, and potentially Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. One estimate suggests that as many as 45% of dementia cases worldwide can be attributed to modifiable risk factors.* Find out more about healthy lifestyle habits that may be beneficial for brain health from these trusted sources:

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IDPH Physical Activity

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An Illinois Department of Public Health page explaining how regular physical activity supports cardiovascular health, with exercise recommendations and links to related resources from the AHA and CDC.

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Tips for Getting and Staying Active as You Age

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This webpage provides strategies to help you increase your physical activity levels.

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Move Your Way

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The Move Your Way® tools, videos, and fact sheets on this page have tips that make it easier to get a little more active. And small changes can add up to big health benefits!

Physical activity guidelines for Americans.

The Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans

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The Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans provides evidence-based guidance to help Americans maintain or improve their health through physical activity.

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Illinois Extension Eat. Move. Save.

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The physical activity hub of Illinois Extension's Eat. Move. Save. site, linking to resources on why movement matters, activity ideas, and a no-gym exercise library.

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USDA My Plate

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A USDA nutrition program and website offering visual eating guidance, personalized meal planning tools, and resources based on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

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Find a Nutrition Expert

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An Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics tool for finding credentialed nutrition practitioners by location, specialty, language, and insurance options.

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LINK Up Illinois

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An overview of Link Up Illinois, a SNAP-matching program that doubles the value of Link card purchases toward fresh produce at participating Illinois locations.

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IDHS Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program

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An IDHS page for the Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program, which provides low-income Illinoisans aged 60 and older with benefits to purchase fresh, locally grown food.

Browse by MIND foods category. Circles with photos of each labeled food category, as follows: Browns and Legumes, Berries, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Fish, Leafy Greens, Nuts and Seeds, Other Vegetables, Poultry, Sweets, Whole Grains, Snacks.

MIND Diet Recipe Bank

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A collection of brain-healthy recipes from The Official MIND Diet, browsable by food category such as leafy greens, fish, berries, and whole grains.

The MIND Diet Tools For Success title.

MIND Diet Tools

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A collection of free downloadable MIND Diet tools including a foods tracker, meal planner, grocery list template, and meal timing schedule.

A bowl of cooked vegetables.

Affordable Brain-Healthy Eating for All Communities

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A guide to following the MIND Diet on a budget, with affordable ingredient swaps, low-cost recipe ideas, and tips for accessible brain-healthy eating.

Older man getting his blood pressure taken.

CDC High Blood Pressure

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The CDC's central hub for high blood pressure information, with resources on prevention, management, risk factors, and tools for health professionals and the public.

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CDC Diabetes

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The CDC's central diabetes hub, with information on prevention, symptoms, treatment, and living with diabetes, plus resources for health professionals and public health.

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CDC Find a Lifestyle Change Program

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A CDC search tool for finding nearby National Diabetes Prevention Program lifestyle change programs, filterable by location, language, and delivery format including virtual options.

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IDPH Heart Disease & Stroke

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The IDPH hub for heart disease and stroke, with Illinois statistics, an overview of the state's cardiovascular health equity program, and links to related subtopics and resources.

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IDPH Know Your Numbers

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An IDPH page explaining key cardiovascular health metrics including BMI, cholesterol, blood pressure, triglycerides, and blood sugar, with reference tables showing healthy target ranges for each.

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IDPH Diabetes Resources

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An IDPH hub on diabetes in Illinois, covering types, symptoms, risk factors, and prevention, with links to the state prevention program and external resources.

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AHA Illinois

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The AHA's Illinois affiliate page showcasing local community health initiatives, policy advocacy priorities, upcoming events, board membership, and contact information for the Chicago office.

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ADA Illinois

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The ADA's Illinois chapter page with local diabetes education resources, a Humana-sponsored wellness video series, upcoming events, and volunteer and fundraising opportunities.

Illinois Public Health Institute.

CARES Chicago Diabetes Prevention

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A participant resource hub for Chicago CARES DPP, with links to healthy eating guides, physical activity resources, prediabetes videos, and a CDC risk test in English and Spanish.

Three people playing table tennis.

Participating in Activities You Enjoy as You Age

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An NIA page on the health benefits of staying socially and mentally engaged as you age, with organized activity ideas across five lifestyle categories.

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Brown Health Brain Training & Games

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A Brown University Health article on brain training, with a table of games and activities targeting six key brain domains to support cognitive health.

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Harvard Health Train Your Brain

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A Brown University Health article on brain training, with a table of games and activities targeting six key brain domains to support cognitive health.

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UI Extension Sleep

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A University of Illinois Extension blog post on how aging affects sleep quality, with practical sleep hygiene tips to support overall health and immune function.

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AHA Sleep

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The AHA's sleep resource hub covering sleep's role in heart health, recommended sleep amounts, and tips for better sleep hygiene, with infographics and videos.

Alzheimer's Association logo.

Alzheimer's Association Risk Reduction

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An Alzheimer's Association resource hub for public health professionals on reducing dementia risk, with science summaries, toolkits, prevalence maps, and strategies for community implementation.

Alzheimer's Association logo.

Alzheimer's Association

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An Alzheimer's Association page outlining ten brain-healthy habits, from exercise and diet to sleep and blood pressure control, with links to a habit-builder tool.

Title that says "What is brain health" with an illustration of three people playing poker.

NIA Cog Health & Older Adults

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An NIA page on maintaining cognitive health in older adults, covering physical health, diet, exercise, mental engagement, social connection, and medication effects on the brain.

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AARP Brain Health

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AARP's Brain Health Resource Center, with tools, articles, and explainers on brain diseases, the Staying Sharp program, cognitive assessment, and brain-healthy lifestyle topics.

Know Alz, Alzheimer's early detection

Know Alz IL Digital Toolkit

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The Know ALZ project homepage, an Illinois initiative focused on early detection and awareness of Alzheimer's disease in high-risk and underserved communities, with resources and a digital toolkit.

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IL Pathways to Health

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An AgeOptions initiative connecting older Illinois adults and caregivers to evidence-based workshops on chronic disease self-management, fall prevention, and caregiver support, in person and online.

Illinois Department on Aging

IL AAAs

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An Illinois Department on Aging search tool for finding local aging services and providers statewide, searchable by county, zip code, or township.

Alzheimer's Association logo.

Brain Health Habit Builder

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A free Alzheimer's Association tool that guides users through assessing their current habits and building a personalized, research-backed brain health action plan.

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AARP Games

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AARP's free online Games Center, with a wide variety of word, trivia, mahjongg, solitaire, arcade, and brain games, some exclusive to members.

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IPHA Help Guide Thrive

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An IPHA initiative supporting community health workers and public health organizations in Illinois through a CHW capacity building center and an operations and billing hub.

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Alzheimer’s Association Brain Health at Work

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A free Alzheimer's Association workplace program offering employers a brain health assessment, tailored communication resources, and tools to support employees' cognitive well-being.

Alzheimer's Association logo.

Alzheimer’s Association Brain Health Advancement Institute

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The Alzheimer's Association's professional hub for brain health advancement, connecting researchers, clinicians, and public health professionals to research, education tools, and partnership programs focused on dementia risk reduction.

Community Resource Finder.

Community Resource Finder

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A joint Alzheimer's Association and AARP directory for finding local senior care resources, programs, and services by category and zip code across the United States.

Alzheimer's Association logo.

Alzheimer's Association Building Brain-Healthy Habits education program

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An Alzheimer's Association volunteer-led community education program on brain-healthy habits, including exercise, diet, and personalized action planning, searchable by zip code through the Community Resource Finder.

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