Tuesday, March 29, 2011
A startling proliferation of material, including a Special Reports from Johns Hopkins Medicine, has been coming out on the ability of the brain to perform admirably well into our 90s. The topics covered range from Nutrition and Brain Power to Medication and the Brain and on to employing Memory Boosters for countering age related loss and protecting memory to give those of the Silver Generation, and those entering that age, a great boost for maintaining control of their mental faculties far longer than previously anticipated and way into their senior years.
On a mission to debunk the notions of seniors slowing down mentally in later years, Norma Roth, author of
Aging Gracefully with Dignity, Respect and Spunk Intact: Aging Defiantly, goes after all the myths and, at the same time, provides a dynamic road map for continuing vital, active and productive lives as you age—even into the 90's.
Debunking these Myths, as well as many others, the author provides specific ways to compensate, handle and deal with many of the common concerns of those of the Silver Generation and those entering "that age" such as what to do about the keys that constantly seem the bane of older people`s "search," or the serious concern people have as they age about safely driving, doing household chores, cooking, shopping, etc. Many resist the expected loss of independence they have been convinced these societal concerns impose on them. Roth believes this type of thinking is outmoded and inconsistent with medical advances and our understanding of the mind and body.
HOGWASH is the word Norma Roth most often employs to castigate people who have bought into a concept that no longer applies—if it ever did. Cockamamie might be a good word for her to keep going as well. .
For example, the incessant walking into a room and not remembering why you are there has a simple solution. Walk back to the room that sent you on this foray; you undoubtedly will remember! Or the boiling water on the stove that you think you will forget—a simple solution is this, good for younger folks too: Don`t leave the kitchen until cooking is done (bring a book, mail to answer, telephone calls to make, (or a Net book or I Phone)—I just don`t leave the kitchen. Answers abound to so- called "serious" problems of aging and, the author suggests, and that knowing how to handle these issues are the keys to continued participation on your own terms in the life you want as you grow older.
Confidence builders, mental activity, keeping notes, keeping engaged in civic activities or work, reading newspapers and books, all these are good for young people and older, lets not kid ourselves because the younger crowd makes plenty of mistakes too. The bottom line is we all want to chart our own course, we don't want to be a burden to anyone and we don't want to have our fate decided by third party bureaucrats who might not have our best interest in mind.
By staying in control by being more in control, the later years will hopefully be better. Not everything is predictable, of course, but many aspects of our lives are well within the ability of us all to keep in tact.
Other serious concerns that face those in and entering "that age," like not remembering words, and losing a train of thought—phenomena are also gaining attention by research findings of Institutes such as Johns Hopkins who report findings that slowness in response of an older person does not necessarily mean that they do not have a response . In Aging Gracefully, the author gives easy solutions to annoying mannerisms towards people getting old; For example, if you can`t think of a word, pick what the author calls a five-and ten cent word (you`re not vying for a placement exam in school), and if you lose a the train of thought—it is probably when someone interrupts. A simple suggestion on handling that situation: Do not allow the interruption! One easy and effective way is called by Roth the police person at a traffic light technique: Firmly hold up your hand towards the interrupter.
Studies like Johns Hopkins Medicine go a long way toward undoing societal attitudes and behavior patterns that permeate the world we currently live in and, in the past, have marked members of the Silver Generation and those entering their senior years with unnecessary burdens and defeatist attitudes about the potential for continuing to live a full and productive life
The authors guide book will enable members of the Silver Generation and those entering "that age" to have the confidence to learn to deal with normal physiological changes and issues they generate through techniques and truly Aging Gracefully with dignity, integrity and spunk intact; and where necessary...age defiantly.
Roth's contribution is to give practical and specific ways in which the Silver Generation and those now entering that age (the baby boomers -- first of whom reaches 65 in early 2011) the tools to debunk the old patterns (society is wrong!) and create new and original lifestyle ( the next cycle of life) where, as stated in the Extended Edition of Erikson's The Life Cycle Completed, the "contributions that might come as a surprise from this newly emerging group" --bolding asserting "the ultimate capacities of the aging person are not yet determined." And who, Roth asks can argue with that in this new age of science, medicine and technology whose forecast of longevity and health are already visible in our world of today.
With healthy bodies and healthy minds being forecast for the people of the 21st Century and longevity and health, Aging Gracefully with Dignity, Integrity & Spunk Intact; Aging Defiantly serves as a useful primer to the begin the challenge of fulfillment of those "ultimate capacities" of a dynamic new baby boomer generation entering "that age, " and a Silver Generation who have already begun to look towards new, enlarged and dynamic lives in the 21st Century. Aging Gracefully helps to get there.
For media interviews contact Brad Butler at Promotion in Motion at 323-461-3921 or
office@promotioninmotion.net