Neuroplasticity challenges the old belief that the brain is fixed and unchangeable after a certain age. But research evidence now strongly supports the existence of the brain’s ability to restructure or rewire itself. For example, after an auto accident, a person’s ability to speak is impaired. However, the speaking ability may not be lost permanently. […]
Neuroplasticity and Neurogenesis Neurogenesis refers to the process by which new neurons are generated in the brain. This can happen both during development and in adulthood. Neuroplasticity, on the other hand, is the brain’s ability to change and adapt in response to experience. This includes things like changes in synaptic connections and the growth of […]
The Story of Malala Yousafzai Malala Yousafzai, a Pakistani activist for female education, exemplifies remarkable behavior change in the face of adversity. At just 15 years old, Malala was targeted by the Taliban for her outspoken advocacy for girls’ education. She advocated for these conditions in her home region of Swat Valley. In October 2012, […]
Good intentions are rarely enough to help us reach our goals, whether to improve relationships, lose weight, exercise more, eliminate a bad habit, or finish that project that keeps getting postponed. Behavior change is difficult but possible. In an article in Greater Good, Christine Carter explains the process for getting better at achieving our goals. […]
This Living to 100 Club podcast introduces our audience to Hormone Replacement Therapy. We discuss the use of all natural hormones that ease the degenerative side effects of aging. Our guest, Dr. Greg Brannon, is the Founder and Medical Director of Optimal Bio. This company specializes in Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT). We learn how […]
On this Living to 100 Club podcast, we invite Frances Woolley as our guest. Dr. Woolley is an economist at Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada. She is an authority on challenges ahead as the Baby Boomer generation contemplates the risk of needing long-term care. We discuss the demands on health care systems as our population […]
The following terms may be useful when describing the speech, behavior, or appearance of an older adult as they relate to possible mental disorders. These may be observed in a senior living setting. Correctly communicating the observations can be helpful to other health care team members. These signs often seen in mental disorders are from […]
In general, dementia produces a diffuse, or global decline in intellectual functioning. The symptoms of dementia cover a wide range of behaviors. These are shown in the table below. Memory loss An inability to learn new information; inability to recall recent events, familiar faces; long term memory is better preserved than recent and short term […]
Dementia is caused by various diseases and conditions, many with no cure. The table below shows the early symptoms, pathology, and prevalence of four main dementia subtypes, all progressive and irreversible. Type of Dementia Early Symptoms Pathology Prevalence Alzheimer’s Disease impaired memory, apathy, wandering, getting lost; problem recognizing others; impulsiveness; difficulty communicating Abnormal deposits of […]
Problems with memory, particularly for recent events, is not uncommon during the aging process. Many people worry about how serious a case of “forgetfulness” may be. However, in contrast to the types of memory problems seen in individuals with dementia, this type of short-term memory difficulty is relatively benign and is considered by many to […]
