Throwback Thursday: Walking in Your Parents’ Shoes

 

I don’t know if our parents walked with elastic bands around their ankles, holding 10-pound weights above their heads, but’s that what Allison Bechill and I did as participants of the “Walk in Your Parents’ Shoes” event at La Jolla Community Center, sponsored by Monarch Cottages. Folks from Reneu Health explained why posture is so important to overall health and mobility. Our lives today–sitting at the computer, driving the car, walking while texting–lead to the wrong posture causing weakness of muscles and bones–and falls. The result: the typical posture we associate with older adults–head thrust forward and rounding of the back–and then there’s the  shuffle. We can prevent that by being mindful of posture whatever we’re doing.

The takeaway: Straighten Up!

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Alzheimer’s Diagnostics

Do You Want to Know?

Early detection and diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease is at full speed. It’s no wonder, given the aging Baby Boomer generation and our growing overweight and diabetic population. With the “silver tsunami” and the large number of adults who do not engage in a healthy lifestyle that might mitigate the disease, we have the perfect storm for a global health crisis. Currently, treatment of  the 44 million Alzheimer’s population has a $300+ billion price tag. By 2050, it’s predicted that the Alzheimer’s population will grow to 135 million.

If you’re worried about your chances of getting the disease, there are a number of tests on the market now…and more in laboratory trials. A number of blood tests for biomarkers are available and a new eye scan is in the works. Numerous memory tests are available online including a 10-minute test in use for research.

But here’s the rub. At present there is no cure for Alzheimer’s. Plus the efficacy of these tests is not verified and some may result in false positives. So–do you really want to test to see if you’re a candidate for the disease?

 

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Funny Friday: The Light in the Fridge

Funny or Infuriating?

Aging with Humor

An elderly man visits the doctor for a checkup. “Mr. Smith, you’re in great shape,” says the doctor afterward. “How do you do it?”

“Well,” says Mr. Smith, “I don’t drink, I don’t smoke, and the good Lord looks out for me. For weeks now, every time I go to the bathroom in the middle of the night, he turns the light on for me.”

Concerned, the doctor finds Mrs. Smith in the waiting room and tells her what her husband said.

“I don’t think that’s anything to worry about,” she says. “And on the bright side, it does explain who’s been peeing in the fridge.”

 

Source: Reader’s Digest, Old Age Jokes

Is this funny or infuriating? (Appropriate or inappropriate?)

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Sage Advice from 97-year-old BJ

Can two little words, “just pretend,” change your attitude and foster a happy feeling?

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Marijuana: Memory Loss or Dementia Therapy?

Research studies are confusing regarding the effects of marijuana on memory. Its therapeutic use for pain and migrains and some neurological disorders have been shown. But we’ve been warned of a potential harmful side effect: memory loss. New research is showing promise in the use of marijuana in dementia and Alzheimers.

Here are links to some good news:

From the Salk Institute.

Cannabinoids remove plaque-forming Alzheimer’s proteins from brain cells

From Newsweek
http://www.newsweek.com/cannabis-marijuana-restores-memory-learning-cognitive-decline-596160

Other links to studies showing memory loss:

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/246392.php?srhttp://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/314065.php

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/314065.php

The jury is out on the use of marijuana for dementia. We must wait and see.

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Memory Cafes: Bringing Fun and Friendship to Older Adults

Interview with Michelle Mullen

(Memory Cafe Coordinator, George G. Glenner Alzheimer’s Family Centers)

Michelle Mullen dreams big, “My dream for the future would be to have a thriving Memory Café in every neighborhood.”

By way of introduction: I recently had the pleasure of visiting the Carmel Vally Memory Cafe and was so impressed with the camaraderie and fun Michelle Mullen brought to her vibrant older adults that I needed to spread the word. Memory Cafes offer a gift to San Diego’s older adults and Michelle graciously agreed to share more information.

Patricia: What is a Memory Cafe? Its purpose?

Michelle: A Memory Café is a welcoming social group for anyone interested in keeping his/her memory sharp and/or for those who possibly are experiencing some memory issues already.

A session begins with a little music playing while participants enjoy some coffee and snacks. Then we have social time and discussion, perhaps reminiscing about the theme of the day. We play fun and challenging games or learn new skills like origami, mandalas, watercolors painting. There are discussions about nutrition, new research in brain health, and physical fitness. Each session is sure to have lots of laughter and connecting with each other.

Memory Cafés are free to the participants and their loved ones. Everyone is welcome to attend. They will find a non-judgmental, supportive group of peers. I hope that participants enjoy each Café’s activities, finding them to be entertaining as well as educational. But mainly I hope that they feel supported while forming new friendships and bonds with others who are concerned about memory issues.

Patricia: What is the Glenner role in San Diego’s Memory Cafes? 

Michelle: George G. Glenner Alzheimer’s Family Centers, Inc. is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide high-quality adult day care and support services to families affected by Alzheimer’s and other forms of memory impairment diseases. We do this by providing quality adult day care programs, family support, case management, crisis intervention, family and community education, advocacy, information and referrals.

The Memory Cafés were recently granted to Glenner via Memory Guides, a life resource planning organization. Approximately two years ago, Marshall Stanek started Memory Cafés under his Memory Guides organization, which is focused on helping families plan a successful aging journey and leave a memorable legacy.

Memory Cafés began in the Netherlands and spread throughout Europe. The United States has hundreds of Cafés. website: http://www.memorycafedirectory.com/

Patricia: Tell a bit about your background that brings you to the role of Memory Cafe Coordinator.

Michelle: I started as a volunteer facilitator at a Memory Café in October 2016. Once George G. Glenner Alzheimer’s Family Centers acquired the Cafés in the spring of 2017, I was hired on to coordinate all locations. I have a degree in Gerontology, the study of aging, from San Diego State University, along with a lifelong passion for volunteering with older adults. I also have a family history of Alzheimer’s with two of my grandparents, one on each side of my family, so I have a deep, personal connection to seeing families supported as they live with dementia. I am humbled at how grateful and gracious my patrons are at sharing their wisdom and experiences with me in a group setting. I feel like I receive far more edification each session from them than I am providing.

Patricia: What do you see/hope in the future for Memory Cafes? What do you need to fulfill that dream?

Michelle: My dream for the future would be to have a thriving Memory Café in every neighborhood. I would love for the Cafés to have an intergenerational component to them at least quarterly. To achieve this vision, I need passionate, dedicated volunteers to lead these Cafés in their neighborhoods so we can offer this support system to our community’s older adults.

San Diego has five locations: Carmel Valley, Chula Vista, Hillcrest, La Jolla, and Poway.

Memory Café Locations

Carmel Valley – Grace Point Church, 13340 Hayford Way, San Diego 92130 meets every 2nd and 4th Fridays from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Chula Vista Congregational Church, 276 F Street, Chula Vista 91910 meets every 1st and 4th Wednesdays from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Hillcrest Unitarian Church, 298 West Arbor Dr., San Diego 92103 meets every 2nd and 4th Fridays from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

La Jolla Community Center – Café Social, 6811 La Jolla Blvd, La Jolla 92037 meets every 3rd Wednesday from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Poway Senior Center, 13094 Civic Center Dr, Poway 92064 meets every 2nd and 4th Wednesdays from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Patricia: Thank you, Michelle, for this interview and for the wonderful work you do with our older adults in San Diego.

Spread the word about Memory Cafes. Visit and get involved!

 Website: https://glenner.org/memory-cafes/

 

 

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How are You Refocusing as You Age?

In today’s world everything changes so fast on the outside. As we age, we’re changing on the inside too. These changes impel us to refocus our activities and our lives.

How are you refocusing with age?

 

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BJ: The 97-year-old “Poster Child” for Purposeful Aging

Here’s 97-year-old former Marine BJ talking about volunteering at the USS Midway Museum

She’s the poster child for purposeful aging described in an earlier post where research is showing purposeful aging to help slow memory loss. BJ says that volunteering builds her self-esteem–she feels like she’s doing something worthwhile. #7Memories4Ever

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How Purposeful Aging Slows Memory Loss

I love this quote from the beloved actress Audrey Hepburn. She grew more purposeful with age, becoming a UNICEF ambassador and starting a children’s fund in her name.

We have many opportunities to create a purposeful life, following our passions and, in doing so, we are helping others. I am following my passion through 7 Memories: Partnering to Write a Memoir, teaching how to turn memories into memoirs. The Memoir Partnering Method builds strong bonds between the memoir partners. It enriches time spent together by evoking memories and creating memoirs to leave a lasting legacy for future generations. The benefits to each partner are invaluable. #7Memories4Ever

Now research indicates that leading a purposeful life–especially as we age–has measurable health benefits. It can reduce the rate of cognitive decline and may help folks remain free of Alzheimer’s disease.

Below is an excerpt from “The Power of Purposeful Aging” by the Milken Institute on the Future of Aging.

“Scientists have discovered that purposeful activity not only can slow cognitive decline, but also may delay the onset of Alzheimer’s and buffer its effects on the brain. These findings emerged when Patricia Boyle and her colleagues at the Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center interviewed older adults about purpose in their lives, conducted cognitive testing and neurological exams, and examined brains postmortem for evidence of Alzheimer’s. They found that higher levels of purpose reduced harmful cognitive effects and slowed the rate of decline by about 30 percent, even when the brain already exhibited the disease’s damaging plaques and tangles.

“A separate longitudinal study spearheaded by Boyle found that people who reported having greater purpose in life were 42. times more likely to remain free of Alzheimer’s than those with lower self-reported purpose scores.”

Find your passion and your purpose. Help others and reap the health benefits.

 

 

7 Memories: Partnering to Write a Memoir

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Partner to Write a Memoir: It’s About Time

Karen von Hahn’s memoir reveals intimate details of growing up with a larger-than-life mother. (Mango Studio/House of Anansi)

 

In What Remains, Karen von Hahn writes about the items her mother loved after her mother passed away. “It wasn’t until after she died that von Hahn realized these objects tell a story.”

Before your loved one passes, get the story. Create a beautiful memoir over a series of visits together. Each memoir session is based on a photo/memorabilia item. 7 Memories: Partnering to Write a Memoir guides you, step-by-step. You develop a deep significant connection with your loved one and enhance self-esteem by honoring his/her life.

Memoir Partner, Rosemary says, “My mom and I love partnering together to write her memoir. From the beginning, I had a sense of relief knowing where to start. The questions are awesome. The prompts make a world of difference as they bring out information I hadn’t thought about. And I’m learning things about my mom I never knew. This guide has been a gift to both of us.”

7 Memories: Partnering to Write a Memoir

Help create a legacy for future generations with your loved one.

 

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