IMPROVE MY HEALTH

Brain Health & Mental Wellbeing After 60

What Can I Work On?

Protect the capabilities that help you think, remember, plan, connect and enjoy life. Explore brain health, cognition, mental wellbeing, sleep, social connection, purpose and the lifestyle factors associated with healthier cognitive ageing.

Why This Matters After 60

Healthy ageing is not about one number, one exercise or one food. This hub brings together the explanations, practical actions and evidence connected with Brain Health & Mental Wellbeing.

Understand → Improve → Measure

Use the resources below to understand the topic, connect it with the relevant parts of the OVER 60s QoL Guys system and identify useful next steps. Measurement should support better decisions — not simply collect numbers.

Explore Brain Health & Mental Wellbeing

PROTECT CAPABILITY AND WELLBEING

Brain Health & Mental Wellbeing After 60

Brain Health & Mental Wellbeing brings together the capabilities that help you think, remember, plan, regulate emotion, connect with others and participate meaningfully in life. It overlaps with — but is broader than — simply trying to 'prevent dementia'.

The Brain Is Connected to the Body

Physical activity, cardiovascular and metabolic health, sleep, hearing, vision and other health factors can influence cognitive and functional ageing. Brain health should therefore be treated as part of whole-body health rather than as an isolated organ problem.

Purpose and Connection Matter

Social connection, meaningful activity and psychological wellbeing are important parts of healthy ageing. They also influence whether people engage in movement, nutrition, sleep and other behaviours that support health.

What Can You Work On?

Regular physical activity, appropriate exercise, good sleep practices, social participation, mentally engaging activities and management of cardiovascular and metabolic risk factors form a practical foundation. Addressing hearing or vision impairment and seeking help for persistent mood symptoms can also be important.

Avoid Miracle Claims

No single puzzle, supplement, food or 'brain exercise' has been proven to guarantee protection from cognitive decline or dementia. Evidence should be interpreted by outcome, population and study quality rather than converted into promises.

What to Measure

Pay attention to changes in memory and daily function, sleep, mood, social engagement, movement and other relevant capabilities. Formal cognitive or mental-health assessment belongs with appropriately qualified professionals when symptoms are concerning or persistent.

Seek help when needed: Sudden neurological change requires urgent medical attention. Persistent depression, severe anxiety, major behavioural change or cognitive difficulties affecting everyday life also deserve professional assessment rather than being dismissed as 'just ageing'.

From Loneliness to Social Connection

Evidence and Policy Report • 2025 • WHO Commission on Social ConnectionResearch SummaryThe WHO Commission’s report presents social isolation and loneliness as important issues for health and wellbeing. It distinguishes the objective circumstances of limited...

ACHIEVE: Hearing Intervention and Cognitive Decline

Randomised Controlled Trial • 2023 • Lin and colleagues; The LancetResearch SummaryACHIEVE tested whether a hearing intervention could reduce cognitive decline in adults aged 70–84 with untreated hearing loss. The 977 participants received either audiological support...

Sleep and Older Adults

Practical Article • US National Institute on AgingResearch SummaryThis National Institute on Aging resource explains sleep in later life and the importance of obtaining enough restorative sleep. It describes the role of sleep timing, sufficient duration and the...

Turn Knowledge Into Action

The Whole Body Health Assessment helps you look across health, capability and daily behaviour so you can identify strengths, gaps and priorities.

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Educational information only. The assessment and website do not diagnose disease or replace individual medical care.