Brain Health…What Is It and How to Maintain It
To open our “Optimizing Brain Health” program, Dr Kathleen Fuchs of the UVA Memory and Aging Care Clinic (MACC) shared definitions, including cognitive changes in normal aging: slowed information processing, reduced mental flexibility, slowed learning, mild inefficiency in retrieval and words/names. Plasticity offers hope for older brains…it is new brain connections in response to life experiences. New thoughts and skills carve out new memory pathways. Repetition and practice strengthen these pathways. Animal studies show improved cognitive performance with: 1) enriched environment; 2) exercise; and 3) increased social interaction.
Cognitive reserve provides persons with higher lifetime intellectual enrichment the ability to withstand neurological disease progression without suffering cognitive impairment or dementia. Education (early and lifelong learning), cognitively challenging work, cognitive leisure activities, social activities and aerobic exercise are contributors to Cognitive Reserve.
#1 brain health activity: exercise. Exercise 3-4 times per week. Build up to 30 minutes. Increase your heart rate. Be sure to check with your doctor before starting, if you don’t currently exercise. Walking and talking double benefit.
Follow a Mediterranean diet. Watch sleep quantity/quality. Check hearing. Monitor your mood. Seek socialization.
IF interested in participating in research, contact Colleen Webber, UVA Memory Disorders Division, 243-5898 phone.
The Center’s Executive Director Melanie Benjamin shared literally hundreds of ways to improve plasticity and cognitive reserve at The Center, including exercise/fitness, painting/art, Spanish/Italian/French, crocheting, gardening, cooking, quilting, dancing, support groups (Parkinson’s, Womens, Cancer, Mental Health, ADHD, Grief, Retirement, Aging in Place, etc.), education (Pride Series, DEI Series, Brain Health, Cell Phone tutorial, Architecture, Good Life series, Funerals, Medicare, Vietnam, WWII, Money, Navigating Senior Living Options and more), luncheons, music performances, movies, documentaries, beer and bingo, book clubs, health services (flu clinic) AND MORE !!
Maintain your brain….you have the power.
*****
Following the program, the SSV held a reception welcoming everyone back to The Center at Belvedere:
To join Senior Statesmen of Virginia click the link below