AARP's Approach to Brain Health

AARP created Staying Sharp, a program that provides evidence-based information and actions you can take to help maintain and improve your brain health at any age. Explore Brain Health Challenges, articles, recipes, activities, videos and fun brain games.

Get Started

The Science

Staying Sharp follows guidance from the Global Council on Brain Health, which provides trusted information and recommendations that empower people to take positive steps to maintain and improve their brain health.

The Global Council on Brain Health (GCBH) is an independent collaborative of scientists, health professionals, scholars and policy experts from around the world who are working in areas of brain health related to human cognition. Convened by AARP with support from Age UK, the GCBH focuses on brain health relating to peoples’ ability to think and reason as they age, including aspects of memory, perception and judgment.

Staying Sharp’s Six Pillars of Brain Health

A healthy lifestyle protects the brain. Practice these 6 pillars for better brain health and "BE MORE" with Staying Sharp.

Be Social

Engage Your Brain

Manage Stress

Ongoing Exercise

Restorative Sleep

Eat Right

AARP Members Get

Brain Health Challenges to learn practical skills for better brain health.
Articles on how to protect and strengthen your brain.
Activities that fit into your daily life.
Recipes to nourish your brain.
Videos from AARP and a special selection of TED Talks videos to support brain health.
Brain games that are challenging and fun.
A plan you create by choosing brain-boosting actions.

Want to Go a Step Further?

AARP members can make a one-time purchase of $7.00 for access to the Brain Health Assessment. Alternatively, members can redeem 9,000 AARP Rewards points. Take the Assessment to get a snapshot of how your brain performs based on five scientifically valid tests and a lifestyle questionnaire. Then follow your personalized recommendations and take the assessment every 90 days to track your progress.

For $35.99 per year, you can unlock Staying Sharp and the assessment without joining AARP.

The Science Behind the Brain Health Assessment

The assessment measures the speed and accuracy of the way you think, the way you focus, the way you remember and how you make decisions. Neuroscientists validated the tasks in the assessment, which are used by clinicians all over the world. Hundreds of thousands of users have registered, so your results will explain how you’re doing compared to people of the same gender, age and years of education.

Start exploring Staying Sharp today.