Los Angeles Jewish Home

Learning makes a man fit company for himself.
Thomas Fuller
17th century English clergyman and historian

Once we reach a certain age, we may believe we've lost our ability to learn. After all, sometimes we can't even remember where we've left our keys. Yet research shows we can continue to learn throughout our lives. Our brains have a quality called neuroplasticity — the ability to physically change as a result of our experiences. Neuroplasticity allows us to literally make new connections in our brains. This phenomenon is one of the reasons mental activity may help prevent dementia.

"Even for the elderly, the human brain continues to grow new neurons, and mental exercise improvies brain functioning," ways Devorah Small-Teyer, MSW, director of social services at the Los Angeles Jewish Home's Joyce Eisenberg-Keefer Medical Center. "Non-routine activities arouse the brain and keep it processing new information."

If you doubt the ability to learn later in life, you might be inspired by Willadene Zedan. In May, she received her college degree from Marian University in Wisconsin — at the age of 85.

It's true that we learn differently as we age. For one thing, we don't learn as quickly and we're more easily distracted. However, older adults have certain cognitive advantages, such as better reasoning and judgement, than their younger counterparts.

In The Secret Life of the Grown-Up Brain, New York Times science editor Barbara Strauch notes that, "my middle age, the brain has developed powerful systems that can cut through the intricacies of complex problems to find...concrete answers." In addition, she says we've gained "a broader perspective on the world, a capacity to see patterns, connect the dots, even be more creative."

Certain kinds of learning seem to benefit the brain more than others. Interviewed in The Secret Life of the Grown-Up Brain, Elizabeth Zelinski of the University of California says we need to constantly challenge our brains with novelty. "Crossword puzzles are not enough. You are mostly trying to find words you already know," she says. Instead, she suggests, try "something hard for you — not so hard that you lose focus — but hard."

At the Los Angeles Jewish Home, providing residents with new learning experiences is a priority. One of the ways this is being accomplished is through the use of iPads. Residents who have never experienced this type of technology are learning to use iPads for a variety of activities. Some "travel" around the globe thanks to Google Earth and other websites. Other enjoy books with the help of larger fonts available on these devices. Residents are learning about email and blogs. They are Skyping with family members and friends.

"Social workers have also been showing our residents apps to help improve their mood, to help stimulate cognition, and decrease social isolation," says Small-Teyer. "The iPads are enhancing residents' communication with the outside world and helping them feel connected."

Using iPads is just one way seniors can pursue stimulating new experiences. Many other opportunities exist. Learn a challenging game, such as chess. Take up a new hobby, such as woodworking or knitting. Learn a new language or how to play an instrument. Take a class at the local community college or senior center. Volunteer at an animal rescue shelter, food pantry, or library. Taking classes and volunteering have a double benefit because they involve interacting with other people. Socializing is another way to promote mental sharpness.

Learning can and should be a lifelong endeavor. Not only is it an enjoyable pursuit, but it benefits our brains as well.

Labels: Brain, Cognitive Exercise, Cognitive Fitness, Cognitive Health, For the Mind, iPad, Learning, Neuroplasticity

We all want to be heard – to be acknowledged and understood. This is true for people regardless of age, and certainly applies to seniors. Yet when it comes to speaking with older people, we sometimes go about it the wrong way.

“Part of the problem stems from the loss of the communal society of our grandparents and great-grandparents, where old adults were part of the matrix of life ... All this has left us unfamiliar and unschooled in how older adults think and communicate,” says David Solie, MS, in an article entitled, “The 7 Common Mistakes Professionals Make Communicating with Seniors.”

However, there are ways to improve our communication with elders. They include recognizing physical needs, modifying our communication style and gaining an understanding of psychological issues.

Physical Factors
Devorah Small-Teyer, M.S.W., Director of Social Services for the Los Angeles Jewish Home’s Joyce Eisenberg-Keifer Medical Center, notes that simply accommodating hearing or sight issues can enhance conversation.

“Sometimes a hearing aide battery needs to replaced or amplified ear phones need to be provided,” she says. “It’s important to approach someone with hearing or vision problems from the front, speak to them face-to-face, and use hand gestures when appropriate. Make eye contact, put on a smile and address them respectfully by name to get their attention.”

Small-Teyer offers several more helpful strategies:

• Be patient. Don’t rush or force the conversation.
• Try not to finish others’ sentences. Give people time to form their responses
• Speak slowly, clearly and at a reasonable volume. Don’t mumble, but don’t shout, either.
• Try to minimize distractions, such as a television playing in the room, while conversing.

We may also make the false assumption that a slow response indicates a slow mind, but that is not necessarily the case. Increased processing time does not reflect a decline in reasoning skills or verbal ability.

Common Courtesies
In the age of multi-tasking, many of us may be tempted to check our phones for text messages or emails during a conversation. But this can feel disrespectful to the person we’re talking to. Seniors who don’t use this technology are especially likely to infer that we aren’t really interested in what they have to say.

Good communicators go beyond just understanding the information being conveyed. They also understand how the speaker feels about what he or she is saying. Try to repeat what the speaker has said, using your own words. And when it’s your turn to speak, communicate in a way the listener can understand.

Avoid “elderspeak,” the patronizing way of talking to seniors that sounds like baby talk. While it may seem like a way to show affection and encouragement, it feels condescending and infantilizing to the recipient. In fact, research shows that elderspeak can actually interfere with communication and foster contention rather than cooperation.

What’s Really Going On
David Solie, who wrote the article on seven communication mistakes, is also the author of How to Say It to Seniors, Closing the Communication Gap with Our Elders. He posits that seniors have unique developmental agendas. Just as toddlers and teens must work to develop identity and independence, Solie argues, seniors also have developmental needs. The mission of older adults, he says, is to maintain control over their lives in the face of loss and to discover their legacy – what will live on after them.

Solie believes this explains some of the communication styles we tend to negatively associate with the elderly, such as wandering from subject to subject, repeating stories, postponing decisions, or going on tangents.

“Such verbal behavior can be frustrating to us, because we haven’t learned to appreciate the tasks on their agendas,” he writes. “After all, we’re at the top of our game. We need to … cross off as many items as possible every single day. That process makes the middle aged feel powerful and in control… But elderly people have different motivators.”

We always run the risk of miscommunicating. But using patience, courtesy and clarity – regardless of the age of our audience -- will greatly increase the chance for success.

Labels: Communication, For the Mind, Nancy Sokoler Steiner, Seniors

We know there are concrete steps we can take to improve our physical health and prevent or decrease the chances of developing certain illnesses. This is true for our mental health as well.

To keep our minds fit, we need to follow the same key strategies for keeping our bodies healthy: get regular physical exercise and eat a healthy diet. In addition, we need to engage in activities designed to ‘exercise’ and ‘nourish’ our brains.

Get Physical

“Of all the lifestyle habits that may protect your brain health, the scientific evidence is most compelling for the effects of regular physical conditioning,” says Gary Small, M.D., Director of the UCLA Longevity Center in his book The Alzheimer’s Prevention Program. “Recent research shows that people who engage in moderate physical activity have a 40 percent lower risk for developing Alzheimer’s disease.”

Small cites a Harvard study of more than 18,000 women which found that walking briskly for a total of 90 minutes a week – about 15 minutes per day – was enough to delay cognitive decline and reduce possible risk for future Alzheimer’s disease.

Physical activity causes the heart to pump more blood, which reaches all the body’s muscles and organs — including the brain. Increased blood flow in the brain appears to reverse cellular deterioration associated with aging.

Aerobic activity isn’t the only type of physical activity to positively affect the brain. Strength training also seems to promote brain function by increasing the heart’s efficiency in supplying blood to the brain and boosting specific brain functions involving complex reasoning and attention skills. Balance training also shows benefits to memory and other cognitive abilities.

Choose Food Wisely

“What we eat affects our mental function and may be critical to maintaining brain health,” says Dr. Small.

A healthy diet benefits both the body and the brain by helping to keep inflammation in check. Although inflammation is usually a health-promoting process, chronic inflammation fuels many age-related illnesses, including cancer, heart disease, and Alzheimer’s disease.

Health-promoting foods such as fruits, vegetables, fish, whole grains, and legumes fight inflammation, as do many herbs and spices.

Lawrence C. Katz, Ph.D., a professor of neurobiology at Duke University, says “brain exercise” can help develop new connections in the brain. “The mental decline most people experience is not due to the steady death of nerve cells,” he says in an American Psychological Association publication article. Rather, the cause is atrophy of connections between nerve cells in the brain. Routine behaviors can contribute to this atrophy, while novel experiences can help strengthen neural connections.

Train Your Brain

Just as the body needs exercise, so does the brain. Learning stimulates the growth of new brain cells. By challenging the brain, we can increase the number of brain cells and grow the number of connections between those cells. The key is to keep the stimulation varied. So while it’s good to exercise your brain by doing crossword puzzles, for example, you should combine that with different types of mental challenges such as Sudoku or other brain teasers. Taking classes and learning new skills are also ways to “exercise” the brain.

“Practicing basic memory methods sharpens memory capacity, slows age-related decline and helps maintain peak memory function,” says Small. His research at UCLA has found that using simple memory techniques can activate and strengthen specific neural circuits in the area of the brain involved with memory processing.

“As we learn memory enhancement skills, neural activity increases as the brain recruits neighboring circuits to solve tasks,” says Small. “With practice, the brain develops more efficient strategies for both learning and recall.”

Reduce Stress

Constant stress releases cortisol in the brain, which weakens memory. Meditation can reduce harmful stress hormones by shifting the focus of our attention. Lack of sleep can cause stress, while getting adequate sleep reduces chronic inflammation, improves memory and helps us to be more resilient in dealing with stressful events.

Reach Out to Others

Establishing and maintaining relationships with others is another way to help the brain. “Social interactions boost cognitive ability,” says Dr. Small. “Becoming and staying socially engaged may reduce your risk for dementia by as much as 60 percent.”

Having or finding a purpose can also help us stay sharp. A Rush University Medical Center study of more than 950 older adults found that those who had clear intentions and goals were less likely to develop Alzheimer’s over the subsequent seven years.

Research from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that engaging in volunteer activities may boost brain function. Researchers found that after six months of volunteering, the participants demonstrated significant increases in brain activity in regions important to cognitive function.

Keeping the mind fit should be a lifelong priority, and is a pursuit that can greatly influence the quality of our lives in our later years. The Healthy Brain Initiative, a project sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control and the Alzheimer’s Association to promote cognitive health, makes a great argument for maintaining good mental health: “Having a clear, active mind at any age is important, but as we get older it can mean the difference between dependent and independent living.”

Labels: Brain Games, Cognitive Exercise, Cognitive Fitness, Diet, Exercise, Fitness, For the Mind, Gary Small, Nancy Sokoler Steiner, Stress

By Amy Rosett, Ph.D.

Whenever I ask people in an audience if their family is complex, nearly everyone raises their hand and softly laughs. Families often are an important source of support and unconditional love, but frequently they are also a source of stress, guilt and angst. And they can be all of these at the same time. Despite the multitude of possible family structures, small or large, there are generally similar dynamics within families. These dynamics shift as parents age and their needs change.

As people are living longer, it is more common to know couples married 55, 65, and even more than 70 years. But they usually don’t age in a parallel way. Thus one may be fortunate to have good physical health and cognitive abilities, while the other is more frail and/or confused. Sometimes one person is physically healthier while the other has stronger cognitive skills. Whatever the specific pattern, there are inevitable changes in how they manage as a couple when they need to take more care of one another.

Sometimes the one giving the care tries to keep these changes from their adult children. There may be well-intentioned reasons to try to hide the worsening condition, such as protecting the dignity of their spouse, guilty about being a burden to their adult children, wanting to remain an independent couple, and assuming it is expected to shoulder this responsibility. However, by hiding the need for increased care, problems often develop in the family, such as poorer communication, emotional distance because of this lack of candor, and wearing down, both physically and emotionally, due to the pressures of being the sole caregiver.

Furthermore, if one spouse is developing Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia, the changes almost always involve more than memory loss. These include other cognitive difficulties, behavioral problems and personality changes. Thus, one’s loving spouse of 56 years might seem depressed, have anger outbursts, and even become verbally or physically abusive. Covering up such changes often is depressing, and could compromise the safety of either person. Informing the medical doctor may lead to medications and other interventions that can alter the progression of the disease. Talking with the family may lead to getting the emotional and physical support they need.

The family dynamics become more complex regarding the adult children. One of the most common examples of this change is a “role reversal.” The adult children start to make “parental” decisions about caring for their parents. The parents become more dependent on their children. Some families accommodate to this shift graciously. They still allow the parents to be as independent as possible and work together as a partnership.

Unfortunately this role reversal frequently creates stresses for both generations. From the parents’ perspective, there is a fear of being a burden to their children. But there is also a fear that their needs and wants will be ignored by their family. Older adults often express guilt because their children “have their own life to live.” Frequently it is true that the adult children are busier with raising their own children, their work, and economic pressures. Nonetheless I’ve observed that most adult child experience more stress when they do not know what is actually happening with their parents.

From the adult children’s perspective, sometimes there is resentment about the increased responsibilities of caring for their parents. Often they have anxiety about making the correct decisions, balancing various recommendations about a particular situation, and a general worry about their parents’ worsening health.

The complexities of the family dynamics multiply when there are several adult children. Some of the stresses might stem from unresolved sibling rivalries. At the time that their parents need more help, it is unlikely that such long-standing conflicts will be settled. However, if the adult children recognize this dynamic and agree to focus only on the current concerns, it helps them to work together.

Even in the most supportive families, it is usually difficult to sharing the responsibilities of helping the parents in a way that seems fair to everyone. This is complicated by the fact that usually the siblings have varied abilities to help, especially when only some live near the parents. Specifically, some siblings may have more money, time, proximity, energy, and emotional wellbeing to participate than others. It is very helpful if everyone accepts that the amount of direct care provided most likely will never be “even.”

It is important to have frequent communication among the siblings, and when appropriate to include the parents. Find ways that each person can contribute, even if it is from a distance. They should work toward their strengths. Those who live further might coordinate visits to let the siblings who live close to take a short vacation.

One common problem is that a visiting adult child has wonderful ideas of how to improve the situation, makes changes and then leaves. In fact, those who live closer and have more contact with the doctors and other professionals should have a greater voice, but also be open to listen to what others might have to contribute.

Overall, families function best when the parents and adult children have frequent and open communication, including via email, Skype and telephone conference calls. There needs to be a willingness to be flexible, especially as the needs of the parents change. The family will face numerous decisions. It helps to consider many opinions during the process, but agree upon one solution, even if everyone is not pleased.

When all this can be done with the older adults’ participation, the likelihood of family stresses, guilt and angst will be reduced. I’ve yet to meet the family which has eliminated such negative feelings, but reducing them is a realistic goal. Finally, it is important to recognize that positive aspects of family, the support and unconditional love, can increase even during the often difficult adjustment to the shifting needs of the older adults.

Labels: Family, Family Dynamics, Feature Articles, For the Mind, Rosett

It’s 2:15 a.m. Out of a deep sleep, you awaken to clanging noises in your kitchen. Not long ago, you would have thought someone was attempting to get into the house. But with everything that’s gone on lately, you realize it is actually someone trying to get out. It’s your mom. She’s ‘wandering’ again.

Recently, you’ve noticed she is having memory problems. It’s been harder for her to recall what was just said. Now she’s forgetting the day, the date and other little features of daily life. Learning new things seems especially challenging for her, and she is starting to make up details to fill in the parts of stories she’s forgotten.

At first, it was possible to chalk it all up to getting older. After all, there are many challenges to deal with as the years advance. But things have really begun to change for the worse.

Mom can’t sleep through the night. She wakes up disoriented and confused. During the day, she believes she has appointments that have never been made. She talks about going to see friends or family who have long ago passed away or moved. She gets mad and lashes out when she is prevented from doing things you know she can no longer do.

Sometimes Mom seems depressed. It is harder and harder to take care of her personal needs, and she doesn’t seem to understand why you want her to take a shower. Sometimes she even forgets who you are.

It seems that her symptoms are coming on faster and faster, and, since she took that fall last week, things have gotten so much worse. Her doctor prescribed some medication, but it really isn’t helping.

You get out of bed and go downstairs to try to help Mom back to bed. She isn’t settled until 4 a.m. You don’t know what you’re going to do. One of these days you might not be able to get to her in time.

Mom has dementia, and now you’re worried about her safety. You need someone to help you figure out what to do next.

The preceding scenario is a composite of several we’ve heard from families caring for loved ones with various forms of age-related dementia.

At the Jewish Home’s acclaimed Auerbach Geriatric Psychiatry Unit (AGPU), we counsel families on mental health services for their senior loved ones, and provide short-term (acute) intensive treatment for seniors experiencing stressful mental or emotional challenges.

More than 50% of patients treated are suffering from acute dementia. The goal of our small, specialized hospital unit is to help restore seniors to an optimal level of functioning so they may safely return to their home or residential setting.

While most people do not need to be admitted, the staff at the Auerbach Geriatric Psychiatry Unit can help you sort through your options, gain new insights on dealing with dementia, and where to go for additional help.

If you have a loved one who is experiencing acute mental health challenges, please call the Jewish Home’s Auerbach Geriatric Psychiatry Unit at (818) 758-5042. A helpful staff member will either talk with you immediately or get back to you promptly.

Labels: Aging, Alzheimer's, Auerbach Geriatric Psychiatry Unit, Dementia, Feature Articles, For the Mind, Luke Jackson, Memory, Parents, Wandering

Last month, Jeanna Bryner, Managing Editor of LiveScience, published a list of 5 reasons why aging is awesome. It was so good we wanted to share it with you.

Intro
The saggy, wrinkly view of aging may have a much more positive, and real, conterpart: Getting older has its perks, lots of them, from needing less sleep to having better sex. Here's a look at why the crowded candles on your birthday cake, as you enter middle age and beyond, are just plain awesome. (photo credit: stock.xchng)


More Awake Time
That's right, more time to enjoy life. Seniors need about 1.5 hours less sleep on average than their younger counterparts, according to one study.

In another study of 110 healthy adults who were allowed eight hours of bed time, the oldest group (ages 66 to 83) snoozed about 20 minutes less than the middle-agers (ages 40-55), who in turn slept about 23 minutes less than the youngest group (ages 20 to 30). The simplest explanation for the fewer shut-eye minutes: Older adults need less sleep.

Another explanation, and one supported by research: Older adults just can't get the sleep they need, taking longer to nod off, spending less time in deep sleep, and having more trouble staying asleep. In fact, more than half of men and women over the age of 65 say they suffer from at least one sleep problem, with many experiencing insomnia, according to WebMD. (photo credit: © Rozenn Leard | Dreamstime.com)


Wearing Rose-Colored Glasses
Being happy may come down to attitude, studies have shown. That's great news for older adults, whose brains seem to be wired to remember the good times. A brain-scanning study published in 2010 in the journal Cortex revealed that older adults' rose-colored glasses may be linked to the way the brain processes emotional contents.

The researchers scanned the brains of participants — young adults (ages 19-31) and older adults (ages 61-80) — as they viewed a series of photographs with positive and negative connections between the brain regions that process emotions and those known to be important to the successful formation of memories, particularly when processing positive information. The same strong connections weren't found for the younger participants.

Aging adults don't just recall blissful moments of the past in vivid colors. It's also becoming apparent to researchers that being old could lend itself to optimism. In one recent study, both old and young participants where shown virtual faces portraying sadness, anger, fear and happiness. Eye-tracking technology revealed the older participants, ages 18 to 21, focused on fearful faces, while those ages 57 to 84 zeroed in on the happy faces, avoiding the angry ones. The researchers, who detailed their study in 2006 in the journal Psychology and Aging, think that as a person's life expectancy decreases, they might focus on what makes them feel good now rather than focusing on the negative. (photo credit: Dreamstime)


Being Grandparents
No diapers. No temper tantrums. No fevers and ear infections. Aging means you get to enjoy grandkids, as if they were your own, but without any of the frustrations. Pop-pop and G'ma can do no wrong in the eyes of grandkids. Research has suggested grandparents can increase the chances of a child surviving during the high-risk period of infancy and childhood in traditional societies. The same link may hold true in Western societies, according to David A. Coall of Edith Cowan University. "We felt if such an association existed in Western societies, where the fertility and childhood mortality rates are much lower, grandparents could make a substantial public health contribution to our society," Coall said in a statement.

And you're good at it, too. A study published in the November 2008 issue of the journal Pediatrics, by scientists at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, showed that kids cared for by a grandmother were 50-percent less likely to get injured than children cared for by daycare workers, other relatives, or even the child's own mother. (photo credit: © Monkey Business Images | Dreamstime.com)


More Wisdom
Like a fine wine, older adults have been aged to perfection it seems, at least when it comes to wisdom. As you age, you may have a tougher time tuning out irrelevant information, but this lack of focus can actually boost memory, according to research published in 2010 in the journal Psychological Science. More specifically, seniors have the unique ability to "hyper-bind" the irrelevant information, essentially tying it to other information that is appearing at the same time. This type of memory could help older adults with decision-making and problem-solving, the researchers suspect. For instance, if a manager wants to promote an employee, it might be helpful to recall not just that employee's work performance, but also his interaction with other employees. (photo credit: © Denis Raev | Dreamstime.com)


Rewarding Sex Life
Sex drive seems to stay strong as you age. One 2007 study published in the New England Journal of Medicine surveyed adults ages 57 to 85, finding more than half of 75- to 85-year-olds reported a roll in the hay at least two to three times a month, and 23 percent reported having sex at least once a week. oral sex appeared to be less "ageless." nearly 60 percent of the participants under 65 years old said they had engaged in oral sex in the previous 12 months, compared with 31 percent for the over-75s. (photo credit: © Alexander Raths | Dreamstime.com)

What else do you think makes aging awesome? Leave a comment!

Labels: Aging, Cross Post, Elderly, For the Body, For the Mind, For the Spirit, Grandma, Grandpa, Grandparents, Healthy Aging, Jeanna Bryner, LiveScience, Optimism, Seniors, Sexuality, Sleep, Staff, Wisdom

You can’t find your keys. Or you open the refrigerator door but forget why. Or you can’t remember the name of someone you’ve met several times. Situations like these can create frustration and even fear in middle-aged adults. Could these be early signs of Alzheimer’s disease (AD)?

Relax and enjoy a sigh of relief, because episodes like these are common in middle age, and are most likely features of normal, age-related memory change. The key words here are “normal” and “age-related.” For many of us, these normal changes can begin around 35 years old.

How do we distinguish normal, age-related memory lapses from AD? There are several factors, including the severity and frequency of the forgetting; the extent to which forgetting interferes with your work or social life; and whether or not you are able to benefit from using a calendar, notes, or other mnemonic devices. It’s also important to understand that AD is much more than a memory disorder. It involves cognitive, behavioral, and even personality changes.

The Differences are Striking

To illustrate the difference between age-related memory changes and AD, consider the thought process and steps you might take when your keys are lost.

Most of us look in the places where we usually leave our keys. Then we check the purse we just used or the pockets of any jackets we recently wore. Then we would widen our search to include less likely places, such as the front door or car, and eventually other places where they might be.

The fact that you can remember the likely places requires memory and cognitive abilities that a person with AD usually cannot muster. A person with AD might find the keys by searching randomly, or might forget what he was looking for and abandon the search altogether.

Consider another scenario: it is common to get lost while driving to a location we have only been to occasionally. However, a driver with early stage AD might get lost even on frequently driven streets.

A routine of doing two errands together, such as going to the bank and then the supermarket, can be challenging. A person with AD who goes to a different branch of the bank, though still in the neighborhood, might not be able to find the way to the supermarket. The inability to recognize and implement the necessary adjustments to the routine is a cognitive deficit common in Alzheimer’s disease.

More examples of the contrast between the age-related memory changes and AD are included in the “Know the 10 Signs” section of the Alzheimer’s Association website: www.alz.org.

Memory Improvement — It's for Everyone

There are a number of tips we can all use to improve our memory, or to make forgetting less costly or time-consuming. Follow the adage: “A place for everything, and everything in its place.” Try to leave your keys in the same bowl, on the same hook, or in a specific pocket of your purse.

Write things down and frequently update your “to do” list. Maintain a detailed calendar with upcoming appointments, birthdays, and even events that recently occurred. Although this might sound obvious, if you jot down a phone number, make sure to write the person’s name next to it.

Set an alarm clock or timer to remind you when to leave for an appointment. It also helps to say out loud or to yourself things you want to remember, even something as simple as why you are going into a room.

Make Connections in Your Mind

This is especially helpful if you pair a word with a visual image. If you meet someone named Mike, try to picture a microphone. Annabelle? Envision a bell. To make it easier to remember the names of people you meet, repeat the name silently to yourself a few times, and then try to use it aloud with the person in your conversation. If you forget a name, try reciting the alphabet in your head since hearing the first letter will often jog your memory.

In general, to improve memory, focus your attention on one thing at a time. Listen closely when you’re in a conversation rather than focusing on the next point you want to make. Stay in the moment and avoid letting your mind wander.

If you become upset when you do forget something, first calm yourself with a few deep breaths. Give yourself a chance to remember. These techniques can help your memory and, in doing so, reduce anxiety you may have about signs of AD.

If you do have concerns about your memory or that of a loved one, regardless of age, please have an evaluation by a physician or psychologist with specialized training in this field.

Labels: Feature Articles, For the Mind, Rosett, Staff

I was about to board my flight back to Los Angeles and turn off my cell phone — I was being thrifty with the battery since I had forgotten where I left my travel charger — when a journalist called urgently asking for a comment on Paul McCartney's recent admission that he was having trouble remembering the lyrics to some of his old songs. I envisioned him singing “She loves you — hey, hey, hey …”

“So you're trying to get me to go on record that Paul McCartney is getting Alzheimer's? I won't do that,” I said in anticipation of where the interview was going.

I flashed back to 1993 when Ronald Reagan announced that he was suffering from this devastating illness, which robs the mental life from millions of Americans. Back then, reporters kept asking me to speculate about whether Reagan might have been slipping mentally while serving as our commander in chief.

For our former president, his senior moments may have been early warning signs of further cognitive decline. In fact, an analysis of his progressive extemporaneous speech errors during debates over the years pointed to such subtle progressive deficits.

But for the average aging Baby Boomer like Sir Paul, middle-aged pauses and senior moments do not necessarily mean that rapid mental decline is inevitable. The risk for Alzheimer's disease is only about 10 percent for people age 65 or older. Misplacing keys or struggling to find a word is what we all joke about as we age.

Sure, our memory abilities are not quite what they were when we were in our twenties, but age-associated memory impairment is an expected and quite common experience of aging. Approximately 85 percent of people 65 years or older complain that they often recognize a face but can't recall the name that goes with it.

How can we tell if this normal memory loss will progress?

It's not easy, even for doctors. We often look for risk factors: age, family history, or other illnesses like diabetes or Parkinson's that predispose someone to neurodegeneration. If your memory challenges symptoms begin to interfere with your everyday life, if others start commenting on them, or if you find yourself worrying about them, it may be time to discuss it with your doctor.

Because of the general fear and denial about Alzheimer's disease, many people ignore early symptoms. That's not always a great idea, since the earlier you get help, the better your chances of staving off future symptoms. Clearly, it's easier to protect a healthy brain than to try to repair one once damage has set in. We don't yet have a miracle cure for Alzheimer's disease, but there are treatments that improve symptoms and keep people functioning better, longer. In general, earlier intervention translates to better outcomes.

The emotional impact of the illness is huge. We may joke about our memory lapses, but behind the humor is anxiety and fear. I have spent a good part of my career studying and caring for patients and families who have had to cope with this tragic mental struggle. And although I'm an expert, I initially refused to accept the fact that the illness was causing subtle personality changes in a close friend and mentor. I looked for almost anything else that could explain his symptoms — a possible medical condition, a depression, or maybe a drug side effect — but I eventually had to face the fact that his mind was drifting away and I couldn't stop it.

When Sir Paul McCartney was 16, he wrote “When I'm Sixty-Four.” Now that he's 67, I'm not too worried that he may not remember a few of his old lyrics – chances are that his senior moments won't progress too quickly over the years. I, on the other hand, wish I could remember where I left my cell phone charger.

Originally posted on Huffington Post. Copyright Gary Small, M.D.

Dr. Gary Small is a professor of psychiatry and director of the UCLA Center on Aging at the Semel Institute for Neuroscience & Human Behavior. His research, supported by the National Institute of Health, has made headlines in the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, and USA Today. Scientific American magazine named him one of the world's leading innovators in science and technology. Dr. Small lectures throughout the world and frequently appears on The Today Show, Good Morning America, PBS, and CNN. He has written five books, including The New York Times best seller, The Memory Bible.

Labels: Aging, Alzheimer's, Feature Articles, For the Mind, Memory, Small

Alcohol and substance abuse among seniors is a subject many would prefer to avoid, yet it is one of the most overlooked health issues of our time. Millions of older Americans have developed treatable chemical dependencies that go undetected because their symptoms mimic other disorders associated with aging.

The tragedy for many of these older adults is that they don't receive treatment. Instead, they experience a precipitous decline in health and quality of life that might otherwise have been identified and reversed.

Recognizing the Problem in a Loved One

Aging has its share of challenges, to be sure, but when the health of a loved one seems to be in a downward spiral, and there is no other diagnosed condition, a secret dependency or addiction may be involved.

When assessing a family member, allow for the common complaints of aging, but ask yourself if this is 'normal' for your loved one. Be alert for clusters of symptoms that can include: sleep problems, memory or cognitive loss, shakiness, bruises, haggard appearance, neglected hygiene, anxiety or depression, inability to concentrate, and self-isolating behavior.

Any one of these should be cause for concern, but two or more in combination should be your red flag.

The Accidental Addict

Many older adults become dependent on psychotropic medications like tranquilizers, anti-depressants, and Benzodiazepines for anxiety. Patients may begin to 'self-prescribe,' taking more of the drug for the same or a heightened effect, and then doctor-shop to obtain medications.

High doses, interactions with other meds and drinking at the same time can be highly dangerous practices.

Alcohol and Late Onset Addiction

Stressful or painful life transitions such as retirement or the loss of a spouse can result in unhealthy coping behaviors. In these conditions, a habit of social drinking developed at a younger age can escalate to a dependency.

For a variety of reasons, mostly having to do with the diminishing quantity of liver enzymes, older adults do not metabolize drugs or alcohol as efficiently as they did when they were younger. Over 70% of all hospital admissions of adults aged 60+ are related to problems with alcohol or medications.

Family Intervention

Spouses and loved ones should approach older adults with care and respect, choosing a time when the person is sober or lucid. Many people find the idea of alcoholism or addiction shameful, so it is best to avoid words like "addict."

Medical conditions are common among seniors, and conversation may include these concerns as potential consequences of their alcohol or medication abuse. Some families find the help of a professional interventionist to be valuable. If a suspected problem has not yet become full-blown addiction, a brief intervention by a trusted physician is often successful.

Treatment for Older Adults

Successful treatment of addiction in seniors recognizes generational values and emphasizes respect. Many people age 65+ were taught never to air their "dirty laundry" and to rely entirely upon themselves. Reaching out to others for help may not come as easily for a senior as it might for a younger adult. Additionally, it's helpful to remember that older adults, like all of us, are most comfortable with age group peers.

Treatment of seniors also includes a slower detoxification process. A multidisciplinary care plan may include medical monitoring, psychological, spiritual and wellness care, and ongoing Twelve Step group support.

To learn more about senior addiction issues, or for additional resources and contacts, click here.

Carol Colleran is a pioneer of older adult addiction treatment at Hanley Center in West Palm Beach, Florida, and led the development of the Life Stages Track for Boomer program. She is co-author of Aging and Addiction: Helping Older Adults Overcome Alcohol or Medication Dependence

Labels: Addiction, Aging, Alcohol, Chemical Dependence, Colleran, Drug Abuse, Feature Articles, For the Mind, Intervention, Substance Abuse

Studies are proving that cognitive exercise enhances memory and reduces the risk of Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia. Now, new software programs are helping to keep a generation of older American minds young and fit.

At the forefront of this innovative technology is the Dakim Power Cognitive Fitness System. Currently in use at the Jewish Home, Dakim (pronounced day-kim) is a highly interactive, touch-screen computer designed to challenge, stimulate, and entertain while exercising the mind.

Ease of Use

One of Dakim's strengths is its user-friendliness. As a plug-and-play system, pre-loaded with software, access is immediate.

"It's appearance is less intimidating than a desktop computer," notes Dan Michel, CEO of Dakim, Inc. Michel invented the system to help his father, who suffered from dementia. "We worked hard not to have the unit look like a work station computer. There is no keyboard, no mouse. It's a touch-screen system that literally speaks to you."

The computer has a built-in camera which takes your picture when you first register. The very next session, it greets you by name. (Dakim even remembers birthdays.)

Once users get into their workout, a variety of interactive exercises awaits them. Dakim comes loaded with brain games, some of them designed to make the user feel like a contestant on a game show. With its Internet connection, the machine automatically downloads new exercises almost daily to keep cognitive training fresh and interesting.

Creative Programming

The secret to successful programming, says Michel, is to keep the games challenging enough to be stimulating – not too tough to discourage, nor so easy that players will be bored. The level of difficulty rises as the user becomes more proficient.

Programming is based on the latest research into cognitive science and the emerging field of brain fitness. Chief scientific advisor on the project is Dr. Gary Small, professor of psychiatry and bio-behavioral sciences, and Director of the UCLA Center on Aging.

Each Dakim session takes about 20 minutes to complete, and every session works all six cognitive domains. These include short-term memory, long-term memory, language, calculation, visuospatial orientation, and critical thinking. But we haven't even mentioned the most important part.

It's a Lot of Fun!

In one short-term memory game, you view movie clips from the 30s and 40s. Then you are asked to remember things like where a particular scene took place, or what the dialogue was about. Users get hooked, and keep coming back for more.

"It's fun, self-directing, and exciting," says Jewish Home CEO-President, Molly Forrest, who took Dakim for a test drive and had a ball. Best of all, users are independent. "You don't need anyone looking over your shoulder to talk you through the program."

Encouraging seniors to move aggressively into the information age is a priority at the Jewish Home. "It makes sense for myriad reasons," Forrest notes. "Technology is opening the door for all of us to engage our minds, improve our memory, and reach out to the world."

Research confirms that regular interaction with programs like Dakim are more than just entertaining. The Bronx Aging Study, conducted by the Department of Medicine at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine found that seniors who regularly engage in mentally stimulating activities can significantly reduce their risk of dementia.

"Cognitive fitness is an essential element of a healthy lifestyle," notes Forrest. "It can improve our health and preserve our independence as we age."

For an online introduction to the Dakim system, and additional information on the benefits of cognitive fitness for seniors, visit www.dakim.com.

Kathleen Doheny is a Los Angeles-based journalist who also writes for WebMD.com, healthday.com, Weight Watchers, the Los Angeles Times and other publications.

Labels: Alzheimer's, Cognitive Exercise, Cognitive Fitness, Dakim, Doheny, Feature Articles, For the Mind, Memory

Jeanette Mednick has had her share of physical challenges recently. Like anyone who has made it to the age of 84, she has a twinge here and a pain there, but she also has a plan: "Get busy and stay positive," Jeanette says. "It's better than Tylenol!" As Jeanette and others with her ‘plan' well know, positive aging is more than a buzzword — it is a lifestyle and the future of senior living.

A Concept Comes of Age

The concept of positive aging has been around for decades, according to Dr. Edward Schneider, dean emeritus and professor of gerontology at the University of Southern California. What's new is its widespread acceptance and application, seen in reduced illness and disease, improved longevity and wellness, and increasing social involvement in our current generation of seniors.

Molly Forrest, CEO-President of the Jewish Home, identifies one of the keys to positive aging in an essential human trait. "Our greatest achievement as human beings is our ability to adapt to a changing environment. Taking a positive outlook toward challenges like aging allows us to adjust to what life requires," she says. "Positive aging means having a mindset to accept getting older as yet another step in life rather than the end of the journey."

Dr. Sherwin B. Nuland, the author of "The Art of Aging: A Doctor's Prescription for Well-Being," identifies positive aging with the awareness of the new opportunities we have for improved health and emotional fulfillment.

Drop the Stereotypes

One way to begin aging positively is to distance yourself from the standard concept of an aging person. You might think 75-year-olds don't exercise, or that 85-year-olds don't play bridge. "Part of positive aging is rejecting the stereotypes!" Nuland says. "Strive for the best condition that your body and your mind is capable of. We shouldn't think that just because we have an ailment that all is lost."

Residents of the Jewish Home say that part of adapting to physical problems is to focus on life's good points. "I have a lot of things to be thankful for," says Jeanette Mednick. Bert Harrison, 88, agrees that a good attitude is key to successful aging. He makes an effort to stay cheerful. "You can be physically compromised and still have a great outlook on life," he says.

"Keep going," agrees Rose Wayne, 96, who walks as much as she can. William ("Bill") Jacobs, 91, plans to amp up his activity level and join a singing group. And Sandy Wisner, 82, remains positive despite hospitalizations and the implantation of a pacemaker. "This, too, shall pass!" she says. "I am going to get better."

Who is Good at Positive Aging?

Women have an advantage in the ability to age positively, doctors agree, primarily because they have more developed social networks.Personal factors also play a role, according to Nuland. If you were an optimist in your youth and middle age, chances are you'll get into the swing of positive aging. But you can always learn to be more optimistic. The first step of positive aging, he says, is overcoming what the previous generation said aging should be.

Taking Advantage of Social Opportunities

No one can age positively when they're always alone, experts say. "People need to be a part of the fabric of the community, to participate and feel the joy of giving back," Forrest says. Taking part in organized groups and volunteer work offer people a chance to feel like their life matters.

"Residents at the Jewish Home are aging more positively and successfully than the average person," Schneider adds, attributing this in part to the Home's medical care and support, along with the opportunities for healthy living.

Positive aging isn't a special talent or gift, or limited to a chosen few. It belongs to all of us who take advantage of the plentiful opportunities for physical, mental, and social stimulation, while maintaining the good attitude that make them all possible.

Kathleen Doheny is a Los Angeles-based journalist who also writes for WebMD.com, healthday.com, Weight Watchers, the Los Angeles Times and other publications.

Labels: Aging, Doheny, Feature Articles, For the Mind