Successful Aging

David and I just met with our financial advisor this past month. Our goal? Plan for retirement! Don’t worry, this isn’t going to happen anytime soon. Honestly, we both believe we would be bored silly unless we work part-time into our 90s. Of course, this requires that we maintain our health, both physically and cognitively.

Did you know that our physical bodies are often outlasting our cognitive minds? With all the new medical innovations, we can maintain our physical health fairly well, but our minds are more difficult to protect. In comparison to physical health, our knowledge of cognitive health is still catching up. We have only begun to learn about the aging brain and the powerful interventions that can prevent or limit cognitive decline.

1. Move Your Body, Feed Your Brain

For at least a decade, aging specialists have stressed the importance of physical exercise for maintaining brain health. Almost daily, while walking my dog in the park, I cross paths with an elderly lady in her sun visor and fanny pack, rocking out to music on her portable radio. Her gait appears pained, but she has a huge smile on her face. I often wonder if she knows how much good that daily walk is doing for her brain, or if she just believes it’s good for her physical health. Either way, she is reaping the cognitive benefits.

2. The Power of Purpose and Connection

Social engagement is another critical factor for healthy brain aging. I occasionally take a meal to our elderly neighbor across the street. She lives alone, and sadly, her primary "social" network is often just the blaring television. When I do knock on her door, she talks my ear off, it's clear she craves that connection.

For the elderly, social engagement isn’t just about derailing loneliness; it provides purpose. Individuals who are engaged with their families, communities, or part-time employment have a greater sense of purpose, which is vital for both emotional and cognitive resilience.

3. Managing the Risk Factors

Elderly individuals who "keep their smarts" also lead healthy lives by controlling risk factors for brain disease. This includes:

• Managing blood pressure and cholesterol.

  
  

• Eliminating toxins like cigarette smoke.

  
  

• Modifying diet by decreasing processed foods.

  
  

• Taking supplements known for supporting brain health.

  
  

4. Keeping the Brain Active

A big part of a healthy brain is an active brain. My parents have completed a daily crossword puzzle together since they retired. My father has even taken up reading for pleasure. These activities require problem-solving and activate both long-term and short-term memory.

There has been a recent influx of "brain-training" programs touted to improve everything from memory to driving skills. While these programs are unlikely to cause harm and can be found through low-cost apps, they often take a "one-size-fits-all" approach.

A More Individualized Path

If you or an elderly parent are experiencing specific cognitive concerns, like short-term memory deficits, and haven't seen benefits from general games, you may want to consider neurofeedback. Unlike generic programs, neurofeedback is individualized to the participant's specific brain-wave activity and symptoms. It’s about training the brain at its source to find its way back to balance.

by Trish Carter, LIMHP, LCPC, BCN