Director's Message
Brain Health March 2007March 2007
11 Steps to Brain Health
It seems that every publication I read these days has a feature on brain health. Certainly one of our greatest fears seems to be that we are of sound body and unsound mind. Every time we forget someone’s name, we shudder.
The February 2007 issue of Aging in Stride agrees that we experience memory changes as we age; speed of recollection and amount of detail we remember decline. At the same time, many aspects of memory remain strong for most of us: vocabulary and language skills, reasoning and logic, ability to pay attention and to acquire skills, and that special quality, “wisdom.” Degenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s are more common as we age, but many other memory problems are due to treatable conditions such as depression, stress, overmedication, diabetes, sleep disorders, nutritional deficiencies, dehydration, alcoholism, and kidney, liver or thyroid problems.
New studies are being released every year that demonstrate greater understanding of brain function and aging. General consensus is that the formula for brain fitness includes many day-to-day activities, and that challenging brains can sprout new neurons. Clinical neuropsychologist Paul Nussbaum (University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine) asserts in Innovations (Winter 2006) that senior centers have the potential to be the brain health centers for their communities because they offer educational programs on lifestyle choices that affect brain health, as well as a range of classes to stimulate new learning, encourage social interaction and provide regular physical exercise.
Aging in Stride and Innovations recommend these steps to promote memory health:
So, come on in to PSRC and feed your brain by taking a class, socializing, volunteering, attending a seminar.
Susan W. Hoskins LCSW
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Previous MessagesJune 2013 - Age Friendly Communities June 2013 - Age Friendly Communities May 2013 - Navigating a Changing HealthCare Landscape March 2013 - Navigating Life’s Transitions February 2013 - Partners in Caring Princeton January 2013 - Men as Caregivers December 2012 - The Safety Net October 2012 - Documenting Your History September 2012 - A Journey of Transformation July - August 2012 - Gratitude & Moving March 2012 - Patient-centered Care February 2012 - Can you Spare an Hour? January 2012 - Challenges & Opportunities December - Are you Prepared for Emergencies? October - Chocolate for Memory September- Looking Back and Looking Forward Lessons and Legacies, March 2011 Independent Living February 2011 Witness to my Life December 2010 Elections, benefits and open enrollment November 2010 Strategic Planning September 2010 Hiring Home Care December 2009 Annual Giving by Sharon Naeole November 2009 Flu Pandemic 2009 October 2009 Healthy Memory, Healthy Mind September 2009 A Personal Perspective on Caregiving July/August 2009 Wei Ji: Crisis, Danger and Opportunity April 2009 Write your own obituary March 2009 Hope and Vision in Challenging Times Medicare Changes 2008: Take A Look! December 2008 Scams, Frauds and Rip-offs November 2008 Engaged Retirement: Beyond Financial Planning October 2008 September 2008 Caregiver Dilemmas Finding Rhythm and Purpose July/August 2008 V + OA = ER (Volunteering + Older Americans=Engaged Retirement)May 2008 Have You Had the Talk Yet? March 2008 Get Moving with FitRhythms™! February 2008 What Are Social Services? November 2007 Plan for the Future September 2007 The Up-side of Aging Summer 2007 National Conference on Aging: Let's ReThink Aging April 2007 Season of Giving December 2006 April Hill McElroy October 2006 Civic Engagement September 2006 White House Conference on Aging May 2006 Are You Prepared? October 2005 Watch Your Language September 2005 The End of the Journey May 2005 New Dietary Guidelines February 2005 Civic Engagement with GrandPals October 2004 The Challenge of Giving Care May 2004 Seniors On The Move April 2004 Random Acts of Kindness December 2003 Civic Engagement November 2003 |