Painting a Picture of Brain Health

AARP is one of the leading voices supporting brain health for Americans 50+. The single largest risk factor for dementia is age, and we want to help empower people to maintain healthier brains over their lifetimes, ultimately preventing the onset of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.

Did you know older Black Americans are twice as likely as older White Americans to have Alzheimer's or another dementia? Have you ever considered that over 300,000 African-Americans make up nearly a third of Jacksonville’s population? This is why we decided to host "Cultural Expressions: The Arts & Brain Health," an event that celebrated the artistic achievements of Jacksonville's African-American community, while also sharing critical brain health resources.

Taking place in the Ritz Theatre & Museum, a historic, African-American space, Cultural Expressions united local Black artists and top nonprofits like Alzheimer's Association, ElderSource, and Mayo Clinic Alzheimer's Disease Resource Center to talk about the inextricable link between the arts and improving brain health.

One of AARP's Six Pillars of Brain Health includes staying engaged, and finding a creative outlet can do just that. The event featured the voices of multiple musicians and artists sharing how art has helped heal their relationships with loved ones suffering from Alzheimer's disease. Art was also a way for them, as caregivers, to relieve their own stress and protect their mental health.

Want to take a look at this inspiring evening? Watch the video below:

This event is just one of the many ways AARP Florida supports the mental health of the communities we serve.

To learn more about AARP's brain health initiatives, visit aarp.org/brainhealth. To learn more about AARP's local events and volunteering opportunities in Jacksonville, visit aarp.org/Jacksonville.