Baycrest

My dad passed away in August 2018 and he will be missed by everyone who had the great fortune of having him in their lives. My experience with my dad motivates me more to answer the question, "How can we prevent dementia?" My research addresses cognitive, health and lifestyle factors in aging brain health and how we can maintain brain health and reduce the risk of dementia as we age. At the cognitive level, my work is helping to discover how memory and attention change in healthy older adults and in those who are heading towards dementia. I'm exploring how these are reflected in changes in brain function, and then testing the effects of memory and attention interventions designed to reverse those changes. At the health level, I test the benefits of exercise and diet interventions. I study how conditions, such as high blood pressure and diabetes, affect our thinking abilities and brain health. Finally, at the lifestyle level, I examine the relationship between cognitive functioning in later life and staying engaged at an older age through activities such as volunteering or late-life learning. Specifically, I study how interventions like volunteering, music lessons and learning a second language improve cognitive and brain health. Leading an engaged, healthy lifestyle is thought to increase "cognitive reserve" leading to greater brain resiliency so that people can maintain cognitive functioning in later life, despite the development of Alzheimer's in the brain. Although all of these factors may not stop Alzheimer's disease, they can allow people to live longer in good cognitive health. For more information or to donate, visit baycrest.org. BrainMatters SPRING/SUMMER 2019 9 BrainMatters SPRING/SUMMER 2019 9 What can you do to help your memory? It's normal to have some memory slips as we age: you forget the name of an acquaintance; you miss an appointment because you didn't check your calendar; you can't remember why you went into a room; or you tell someone the same story you told them last week. These are normal age-related memory changes. However, if you forget the name of your spouse; regularly miss appointments; are unable to focus and complete daily tasks; or tell the same story repeatedly during a conversation, these are more serious memory lapses and you should see your doctor for advice. Memory does decline with age, but there are things we can do to minimize the loss. Here are some tips that can help your memory as you age: • Maintain a balanced diet low in saturated fats for better cognitive functioning. • Reduce stress which can impair memory. Take a yoga or meditation class, walk or have a nap. • Stay physically active. • Engage in mentally challenging activities, for example, play bridge or do a crossword. • Stay socially engaged. • Perform demanding tasks at your "peak" time of day when you are most alert – typically in the morning for older adults. • Use external aids such as lists, notes and pill organizers. • Choose one spot in the house to keep your keys, wallet and glasses. • Use a portable planner/day timer to keep track of appointments and take it with you. • Be organized, i.e. always put the TV remote in the same place. • Develop good memory routines. Check your planner at breakfast and during the day. For information on Baycrest's Memory and Aging Program for older adults with normal, age-related memory changes, please call Neuropsychology and Cognitive Health at 416-785-2500, ext. 2445 or visit baycrest.org.

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