The Power of Positive Aging

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The Power of Positive Aging

• Charles Bernick, M.D.
• Susan Hirsch, MSW
• Donna Munic, Ph.D.

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Cognitive Function

• Multi-faceted
• Memory
• Language
• Visuospatial
• Mathematical
• Executive (judgment, reasoning, planning)

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Memory

• Multiple sub-systems
• Episodic (personally relevant events/episodes)
• Working (manipulate learned info)
• Semantic (knowledge of facts, meaning of words)
• Procedural (performance of skills)
• Can run independently

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Memory Process

• Sensations Sensations Sensations
  Sensations

Immediate Memory
1. encoding
Short Term Memory
3. Retrieval
2. storage
Long Term Memory
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Aging and Mental Decline

• 10 of those over 65 have Alzheimers Disease
• 60 of those over 85 have memory impairment
• Once past 60, average life expectancy is 85

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Normal Cognitive Aging

• Slowing of central processing
• Minor changes in memory
• Other cognitive abilities relatively preserved
• Non- progressive

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Dementia

• Decline in memory and other cognitive functions
• Impairs social or occupational function
• Absence of delirium
• Dementia ? Alzheimers

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Mild Cognitive Impairment

• Impaired memory function for age
• Other cognitive abilities retained
• No functional impairment
• 12-15 per year conversion rate to AD

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Cognitive Assessment

• Subjective People are usually right
• Objective
• Many screening tests, none perfect
• Limitations (ceiling effect, narrow scope)

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Memory can worsen due to

• Stress/anxiety/depression
• Overly tired/ sleep deprivation
• Medications (hypnotics, narcotics,
  anti-cholinergics, anti-histamines)
• Medical conditions (thyroid, sleep apnea, vitamin
  deficiencies, etc.)
• Alcohol, drugs

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The Secret Formula Revealed
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Lifestyle
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Social Connections

• Community Connectedness
• Isolation poorer health
• Relationships
• Married people live longer lack of social
  interaction linked to cognitive decline
• Passions and Attitudes
• Chris Mortensen (1882-1998) friends..drinking
  lots of good water, no alcohol, staying positive
  and lots of singing.

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Physical Wellbeing

• Diet
• Exercise
• Sleep

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Mental Acuity

• Lifelong quest for knowledge
• Exercise your brain
• A life time of learning
• Practice makes perfect
• Stress
• Sadie (died in 1999 at age 109) and Bessie (died
  in 1995 at age 104) Delany. These two sisters
  attended college and had careers. We never had
  husbands to worry is to death.

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Faith and Purpose

• James Fowler in Stage of Faith (1981) believes
  that faith (more so than religion or belief) is
  the most fundamental category in the human quest
  for relation to transcendence.
• Herbert Benson (1984) identifies faith factor
  as meditation and a deeply held set of
  philosophical or religious convictions. It may
  help to decrease blood pressure, relieve
  headaches, increase creativity and decrease
  insomnia.

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Will You Live To Be 100?

• Longevity Quiz by Thomas Perls, M.D. and Margery
  Hetter Silver, Ed.D. to help calculate estimated
  life expectancy.

Audrey Stubbart died at age 105. Work kept her
alive She taught school, raised 5 children,
operated a sheep ranch, was a copy editor and
columnist.
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Staying Mentally Active

• It is important to exercise your brain
• Use it or lose it

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Keep Mind Active

• Read the newspaper, books, and magazines
• Discuss with friends and family
• Work on crossword puzzles
• Do word searches
• Play Sudoku
• Play card games
• Play board games
• Work on puzzles
• Use a computer

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More Ways to Keep Active

• Do problem solving activities
• Learn new things
• Take up hobbies
• Attend classes and lectures
• Go to concerts and plays
• Teach or tutor
• Research family histories
• Reminisce

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Mental Workouts for the Brain

• Sample slogans
• Its the real thing
  
• Senior scattagories
• In my suitcase

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Memory Tips

• Decide WHAT is important to remember
• Pay attention
• Use elaboration- tap as many senses as you can
• Pace yourself
• Associate meaning with new information
• Try automatic mode
• Do not tell yourself that you can not remember

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Memory Aids

• Make lists (to-do lists)
• Use post-it notes
• Write on a calendar
• Carry a notebook or planner
• Establish routines to tasks and activities
• Have set places for items
• Set a timer
• Use a mini-recorder

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Memory Techniques

• Organizational technique clustering
• Tell yourself a story
• Wander around the house

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Memory Techniques for Numbers

• Chunking- numbers to be remembered are split into
  several sections
• 123 45 6789 or 123 456 7890
• Examples include
• social security number
• telephone numbers
• credit card numbers

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Memory Techniques for Reading SQ3R

• SQ3R is a method devised to acquire study skills
• S survey
• Q question
• 3R reading, reciting, and reviewing

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Conclusions

• There is a difference between normal and abnormal
  brain aging
• Heredity, environment, and lifestyle are
  important in healthy brain aging
• Keep your mind active and use memory tips and
  techniques to help you remember