There been talk these days in San Diego about the relationship between the recent solar eclipse, the earth’s magnetic field flip, and forgetfulness. While many of us would like to point to atmospheric conditions as a reason that we have misplaced keys, lost that all-important paper, or forgotten a birthday in reality we are most probably experiencing information overload. But for many others, memory decline is a frightening reality. Here at the 65th Scientific Meeting of the Gerontological Society of America topics on aging, the issues of memory as well as optimal cognitive functioning, and dignity in aging are among key topics.
Our brain is a muscle
Working in a breakout session, my topic is on “Nursing Home Care and Cognitive Enrichment.” The value of such a session helps with perspective and with generation of ideas. Toni P. Miles, M.D., Ph.D., pointed out: “Our brains are composed of muscle fiber. And we all know that muscles improve with use,” she said, adding, “It is vital to your brain’s health that it engage in strength and conditioning that come through cognitive stimulation.”
The words of Dr. Miles, Director of the Institute on Gerontology at the University of Georgia’s College of Public Health, are particularly poignant given a British Medical Journal report this past January that memory loss associated with Alzheimer’s may be detectable as early as age 45.
Cognition enhancers
Exercise is known to enhance cognition. But an added benefit includes computerized cognitive games. The American Journal of Preventive Medicine in February reported clinical trial results on what is being called “exergaming” in which stationary cycling incorporates video scenery and competitors. The cognitive benefit of this combination is said to exceed that of cycling alone.
However, a concern expressed by many of us is just how little exercise and stimulation residents receive in nursing care facilities.
Care facility basics
My own immediate goal is to try to figure out how care facilities can work on the basics by:
- Acknowledging different traditions of each culture in reminiscence group discussions
- Providing culturally appropriate songs whether at a sing-along or from invited musicians
- Encouraging a range of games, painting exercises, and activities
- Recognizing that men might enjoy checkers or chess rather than attending beading sessions
- Determining a set of recommended books – primarily with photographs that can help stimulate imagination – rather than having someone read to them to residents
- Following recommended guidelines for Reminiscence Therapy (eg. Reminiscence therapy for dementia./www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15846613) rather than saying “Let’s talk about recipes and what you like to cook” to a population that no longer has kitchens.
- Finding ways to include exercise into daily programs, even for the wheelchair bound
- Engaging residents in activities that are participatory rather than watching (eg. Planting should mean that anyone who wishes gets a pot of dirt to plant flowers if it means piles of dirty all over themselves. Gardening is therapeutic
- Working with residents on gratitude boosters to help alleviate negativity
James M. Ellison, M.D., M.P.H., is associate professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and Clinical Director or the Geriatric Psychiatry Program at McLean Hospital in Belmont, Mass. In talking with him earlier, he said: "Families need to know that their loved ones are being cared for by a kind staff in an atmosphere that stimulates them emotionally, socially, and cognitively. It's important to remember that even with a diagnosis of dementia people can find joy in the appropriate surroundings.”
Hope for the future
Matt Perry of the California Health Report, a MetLife Journalism Fellow who teaches film studies and screen writing, introduced me to the concept of multi-sensory rooms. “It is an artificially created venue that brings together multi-sensory equipment in one place to stimulate the senses….It changes arousal levels and relieves stress, anxiety and pain. MSEs have been shown to help with autism, brain injury, challenging behaviors, dementia, developmental disabilities, mental illness, palliative care, pre and post surgery, PTSD, special education and of course wellness. AAMSE - American Association of Multi Sensory Environments
As for the future, Holly-Brown Borg, Ph.D., is a member of the biological sciences section of the GSA , a group devoted to understanding the processes of aging, “the causes and effects from the molecular to the whole organism level.” She said, “This enhanced understanding will provide avenues to target age-related disease including Alzheimer’s, arthritis, cancer, and diabetes.” Dr. Brown-Borg is the Chester Fritz Distinguished Professor, University of North Dakota.
The fountain of youth has eluded us. As such, we must depend upon translational research and advocates today to encourage programs and policies that will promote healthy aging in our future.
Note: As a 2012 MetLife Journalist in Aging Fellow, I am covering the 65th Gerontological Society of America/ New America Media Conference in San Diego.
Copyright 2012 Rita Watson/ All Rights Reserved