People can affect onset of progressive memory loss

Collaborative research studies are coming out weekly that provide evidence that each one of us can make choices that help compensate for age-related changes in regard to cognitive capacity and staving off the onset of dementia-related illness. In 2005, the first definitive information about the positive effect of exercise on reducing the risk of Alzheimer's disease was published. In 2006, the spotlight of research turned to nutrition. In general, the consensus of all the researchers is “if it's good for the heart it is good for the brain.”

This year, the primary focus is on the quest for interventions and prevention of the onset of all age-related dementia illnesses through continued development of brain cells in the area of intellectual stimulation and new learning. A large body of work from around the world confirms that specific attention to reading techniques and content, memorization, computer games designed to stimulate the cells of the hippocampus (the brain's region for new learning), difficult crossword puzzles and challenges like Sudoku are definitively linked to brain cell growth and enhanced mental function.

To this end, the National Institute on Aging has earmarked $2.8 million to go to Elizabeth Stine-Morrow and her colleagues at the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology for a program called Senior Odyssey that is designed to engage older adults in team-based creative problem-solving and other brain-teasing challenges. Morrow's research on reading shows that older readers with good comprehension have learned how to adjust their allocation of effort to compensate for losses in other areas, such as working memory and language-processing speed. Her work, as well as the work of other scientists, shows that we don't need to buy into the cultural stereotypes of diminished cognitive capacity associated with the aging process.

The lifelong learning opportunities at Touchmark communities are selected to support the abilities and skills of the residents. Embrace intellectual challenges.