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From youth through older adulthood, we’ve all experienced the power of music in our lives. Whether it’s a moving instrumental piece or a swift beat with diverse vocal range, music has the power to shift your mood, inspire creativity, enhance concentration, evoke memories, and make mundane tasks more enjoyable.
The influence of music on health and behavior, particularly among older adults, is a topic of growing research interest. A specific set of 10th Century musical frequencies, known as the Solfeggio Frequencies, lay the foundation for modern interest in music and health.
In this article you’ll learn more about:
According to the National Poll on Healthy Aging (2024), more than 50% of adults age 50-80 listen to music daily and 98% stated they feel music provides health benefit. In particular, the older adults also indicated that listening to music reduces stress and tension and helps them relax. Since stress plays a crucial role in many disease processes, the ability of music to reduce a person’s experience of stress is important to wellbeing. Participants also reported that music:
Even though these findings are subjective—meaning they are a compilation of data as reported by the participants, the results align with findings from well-designed studies on music and health. A variety of studies show that music has effects on:
Overall, the research points to music as a valuable intervention to support older adult health and wellbeing. Some studies even indicate music as a useful therapeutic intervention for people who are experiencing dementia or Alzheimer’s disease as well as other conditions that affect learning and memory.
So, what do the ancient Solfeggio Frequencies have to do with music and older adult health?
What are the Solfeggio Frequencies?
The effects of music on health and behavior fascinated the ancient Greeks and the great thinkers of other early civilization. The earliest effects of music on states of wellbeing were observed using a specific six-tone scale, a.k.a., the Solfeggio Frequencies.
The Solfeggio Frequencies are most commonly associated with Gregorian Chants, a form of spiritual music common to early Christianity and ancient Sanskrit chants. The intention was to use sound to evoke a trance like state to facilitate deep spiritual insight or meditation. Over the millennia, the scale has been incorporated into all types of modern instrumental and vocal music. Think of your own everyday experiences of listening to music through film, radio, live performance and how the tones and scales evoke feelings and allow us to form a connection between the music and oftentimes, other things happening in our life at the time. This unique feature of music, as intriguing as it is, is not the reason why the Solfeggio Frequencies matter to health.
The Solfeggio’s six scales were claimed to be associated with specific healing attributes:
When the modern 12-note scale was introduced, only a subset of spiritual practitioners retained the tradition of Gregorian Chants; the Solfeggio was nearly lost to history. Around the 20th Century, a resurgence in Gregorian Chanting brought about interest in the healing effects of music and scientific inquiry into music tuned to the Solfeggio. This led to the scientific and medical research of today, as well as the use of music therapy in clinical settings and in older adult wellness programming.
It's easy for older adults (or their caregivers) to bring the healing power of music into their lives to promote health and wellbeing. Here are a few ideas:
For someone living with disorders of memory, consider these approaches:
If you aren’t sure where to begin with music for health, inquire with a holistic practitioner for a referral to a music therapist or a sound healer. Or contact one of the following organizations to find a practitioner in your area:
International Sound Therapy Association https://ISTASounds.org
The Association of Sound Therapy https://harmonicsounds.com/association-of-sound-therapy
Sound Healers Association https://www.soundhealersassociation.org
American Music Therapy Association https://www.musictherapy.org
World Federation of Music Therapy https://wfmt.info
Resources
Chandra, ML. & Levitin, DJ., “The Neurochemistry of Music.” Trends in Cognitive Sciences, (April 2013) 17:4. Accessed 4 May 2017: https://daniellevitin.com/levitinlab/articles/2013-TICS_1180.pdf
APA.org “Science Watch: Music as Medicine.” Posted by Amy Novotney; (Nov 2013 44:10). Accessed on 4 May 2017:
Sloboda, J.A. and O’Neill, S.A. “Emotions in everyday listening to music.” In Music and Emotion: Theory and Research (Juslin, P.N. and Sloboda, J.A., eds) (2001) pp. 415–429, Oxford University Press. Accessed 4 May 2017
Ah… the big 5-0! Whether you’re just celebrating the “half century” milestone, or you’ve been in your 50s for a while, you’ve probably noticed the subtle signs of aging in the way you move, how you handle stress, and your energy level. Fear Not!
You can continue to age wise and well by following our tips for aging into your fifties—giving additional longevity to your mind-body vitality.
The aging process actually begins in earnest shortly after age 30. At this point, age-related changes tend to be slow and subtle, but become definitively noticeable by the time you enter your forties.
For both men and women, the body loses physical and emotional resilience as they age. Once you get to age 50, there are several noticeable changes such as:
Some of these changes will be due to hormonal fluctuations, such as the loss of estrogen during menopause for women, and dropping testosterone levels for both men and women.
Really, why do we age?
New research points to inflammageing as significant underlying cause for the aging process. The theory goes something like this:
Age-related changes happen due to inflammatory responses that occur in in the body over time. These changes have effects on all the major physiological systems: immune, nervous, cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, and endocrine. Essentially, everything from the brain and nerves to muscle and bone, heart, lungs, and metabolism go into decline.
What’s that mean, exactly?
You start to feel less resilient to the stresses of life, the environment, illness, and so on. This “inflammageing” process looks different for each person based on factors such as:
Here are our 5 essential tips to support optimal health and youthful vitality in your fifties:
Tip #1: Stay Up to Date on Health Screenings. Be sure to see your healthcare provider for the appropriate age-specific health screenings. For example, if you’ve been a smoker, then a lung cancer screening may be essential. And, if you do still smoke, try to quit—it’s never too late! You likely also need to have routine screenings for breast cancer, prostate cancer, colonoscopy, among others.
Tip #2: Stay Mentally Fit. Mental stimulation is essential to protecting the brain from age-related decline and dementia. Stay mentally engaged by learning a new skill or teaching someone a skill you are good at. Put you mind to work on a daily puzzle or crossword.
Tip #3: Prioritize Sleep. If you don’t have a sleep routine, it’s not too late to create one. Quality sleep isn’t just about how many hours you're asleep; it’s the quality of those hours. A sleep routine includes a routine such as a warm bath or skincare ritual before bed, darkening the room and keeping the temperature cool, and turning-in and waking at consistent times each day. Remember to unplug from digital devices within 2 hours of bedtime.
Tip #4: Eat Fresh, Whole Foods. A “rainbow on your plate” is a great way to think of healthy eating. Be sure your diet is full of a variety of fruits, veggies, lean protein, and unprocessed grains. Limit eating foods from a box or bag as this will reduce your intake of sodium, sugar, and trans-fats. Hydration is important, especially for older adults. Be sure to drink more water, less soda and alcoholic beverages to support optimal health in your fifties.
Bonus Nutrition Tip: Aging bodies don’t always absorb nutrients as well as when we were younger. And sometimes, as we age, we don’t or eat a balanced-enough diet to provide essential nutrients that aging cells need. You may want to consult with your doctor about nutritional supplements for older adults, including: calcium, magnesium, fiber, vitamin D, vitamin B-6, vitamin B-12, probiotics, and Omega-3 fatty acids. You may also need more protein in your diet.
Tip #5: Move Your Body. Daily physical activity helps to protect the heart, lungs, muscles, bones, and joints. Your 50’s is the ideal time to participate in gentle, weight-bearing activities to help slow down bone loss. New to exercise? Follow the physical activity guidelines for older adults, or consult with a certified fitness professional who specializes in older adult exercise and wellness.
Tip #6: Connect with Others. Social connections are crucial to mental health at every age, and even more so in the older adult years. Connecting with others reduces loneliness, which the US Surgeon General has stated is as deadly as smoking! Look for ways to engage with people of all ages and in different settings. If your family and friend circle is small, consider volunteering in your community or joining a book or board game club at your local library or bookstore.
At Everbrook Senior Living, we view the fifties as a time to focus on you! After years of attending to family, a career, and community obligations, we support your health and wellness journey through state-of-the-art residential and wellness amenities. We offer programs, clubs, classes, and outings that help you preserve and enhance your physical and emotional well-being. Contact us today and come see for yourself what aging wise and well looks like at Everbrook!
Do you feel like you are having to keep tabs on your aging parent? Are you second guessing if mom or dad should still be living on their own and may need more supervised care? There are several hidden warning signs that can be indicators an aging parent needs assisted living care.
When observing your older adult parent in their living space, you’ll want to keep tabs on the following warning signs to assess whether or not they can continue to independently care for themselves and their home. You may want to keep a notebook, so you can see patterns of behavior and can share this information with your parent and their physician. This information will be helpful for decision making and for engaging with assisted living counselors when you start evaluating residential options for your parent.
When you are making notes about these changes in your aging parent, you’ll also want to observer how they respond to the changes themselves and how they respond to you when you try to discuss these things with them:
1. Forgetfulness. It may not seem like a “hidden warning” because forgetfulness in older adults is something we typically think of as really obvious. Before forgetfulness gets to the problematic point, it progresses, for most people, at a slow pace. You’ll want to look for consistent, insidious patterns of forgetfulness. This is more than just occasionally misplacing the car keys—something all of us do from time-to-time. When the car keys (or anything else) go missing more than occasionally, and to the point where the keys can’t be found so your parent can’t drive the car, that’s the kind of progression that’s a sign something more serious is going on with memory.
A red-hot warning sign for forgetfulness, which can have tragic outcomes is your aging parent forgetting to take their medication. Be sure that you are keeping tabs on their dosing—that they aren’t taking too much or too little (or none at all), which could result in a medical emergency situation. Other significant warning signs for forgetfulness include: not remembering where they placed important documents, forgetting to cash checks received, to pay bills electronically or by mail, or placing perishable foods in a cabinet instead of the fridge.
2. House is a Mess. If your parent wasn’t a messy person most of their life, and their living space starts to look in disarray, that could be cause for concern. Take notice of:
These things could be signs of forgetfulness and/or changes in mobility, meaning your parent is no longer able to do these things and is ashamed to tell you.
3. Changes in Mobility. The obvious signs are frequent falls and similar mishaps with movement. Before that degree of change, you’ll want to look for these hidden warning signs in your aging parent’s mobility:
4. Poor Personal Hygiene. If an aging parent suddenly looks unkept, has body odor, or seems to be wearing the same clothes over again, these are subtle signs they are losing the ability to independently care for themself. So pay attention to these things each time you visit:
5. Not Engaging in Activities. If your aging parent has discontinued participation in their usual hobbies, social outings with friends, or routine shopping... and this is not due to an acute illness or minor physical set-back, be concerned. You’ll want to talk
Is it Time for Your Aging Parent to Move to Assisted Living?
If you find that your aging parent displays any of these hidden warning signs of not being able to care for themselves and their living space, then it may be time to consider assisted living. This is especially important to do if you are unable to take-on the challenge of caregiving for your parent. Everbrook Senior Living offers support from compassionate care counselors who can in help you decide about assisted living care that meets your parent’s unique needs. We provide the resources and options necessary for making an informed and affordable choice. Not only do our state-of-the-art, luxury residences provide medical attention your loved one may made need, they will also have access to a full complement of recreational, social, emotional, and cultural activities to support their well-being in their Golden Years.
Older adults can celebrate Valentine’s Day and American Heart Month by treating their senior sweetie to a heart-healthy treat: Dark chocolate.
More than just an indulgence, nutrients found in dark chocolate can support cardiovascular health, which is important for aging adults. But not just any ole’ dark chocolate; you want to indulge in dark chocolate with a high cacao content. What’s so special about cacao? Glad you asked!
Cacao: Raw Chocolate, Food of the Gods!
Considered by ancient Mayan culture to be the ‘food of the gods,’ cacao is cocoa (chocolate) in a raw, less-processed form. Cacao grows from trees called Theobroma cacao, which are native to South America and West Africa where more than half of the world’s cacao comes from. After harvesting, cacao is processed to make various chocolate products. The more cacao is processed, the more nutrients it loses. Less processing not only helps dark chocolate retain nutrient density, less additives are mixed-in, such as added sugars, palm oils, butters, and artificial flavoring.
To derive maximum health benefit from eating dark chocolate (in moderation) choose chocolate that contains 70-85% cacao (60% is the minimum cacao content).
Like most plants, cacao contains nutrients and plant compounds (known as polyphenols) that support health. Dark chocolate, that is minimally processed, contains several health-promoting compounds. When cacao-rich dark chocolate is eaten in moderation as part of an otherwise healthy diet for older adults, it is associated with the following heart-healthy benefits:
Knowing that dark chocolate can support heart health isn’t a free pass to eat bars of it every day. When nutritionists and healthcare providers suggest eating dark chocolate, they are talking about an ounce or two a couple of times a week. They also intend for you to reduce your intake of overprocessed sweets and snacks and replace those with cacao-rich dark chocolate. In a nutshell, dark chocolate should a part of an older adult’s healthy diet inclusive of veggies, fruits, lean meats, poultry, and plenty of water.
Check out these 12 healthy versions of dark chocoalte recipes – our favorite: The Dark Chocolate Fondue.
This Valentine’s Day, surprise your sweetie by making cacao-rich dark chocolate fondue and sharing dipped fruit together. Remember to use chocolate ingredients that is 60% or higher in cacao content.
Fun Flavor Fact: Raw cacao has a unique flavor profile! Depending on the cacao content, dark chocolate can be slightly to very bitter compared to its more processed chocolate cousin. This is why many high-cacao dark chocolate products are infused with other nutrient-dense ingredients, such as dried fruit (raspberry, acai berry, blueberry) or fruit extract (orange, berry) or nuts (walnut, cashew). These ingredients cut the bitterness and enhance the sweet, tangy flavor profile of dark chocolate.
Free from the obligations of work and raising a family, older adulthood can be a time to celebrate independence. Let’s explore essential tips to help you (or a loved one) maintain—and celebrate independence in older adulthood.
For some people, the ‘golden years’ present the opportunity to take life at as fast or slow of a pace as one desires. It can be a time to explore hobbies, travel to exciting destinations, rekindle or create new friendships, and spend quality time with beloved family. Maintaining independence throughout older adulthood does take some focus and effort, if one is to stay physically able-bodied and mentally sharp.
Tips for Supporting Older Adult Independence
Stay Socially Connected
Preventing social isolation is crucial for older adults’ physical and emotional wellbeing. As we get older, our social ties can decline because of changes to our health, relocation, and death. It’s important to keep renewing our social connections, which can protect our social emotional health, particularly from depression, anxiety, and memory-loss related conditions such as dementia. Social connections for older adults are kept strong through mutually rewarding activities and interests such as:
Living in a senior living community, such as Everbrook Senior Living, makes it simple for older adults to stay young-at-heart. These communities often provide on-site wellness programs, trips, dining clubs, and maintenance-free living so you have the time to enjoy your free time.
The Game is Afoot!
Games are a wonderful way for older adults to keep the mind sharp, connect with others, and have fun with a significant other, grandkids/ family, old friend, or to make new friends. Board games or card game clubs can be found through your local library, senior center, YMCA, or JCC. Such clubs are also present at most senior living communities, and often are peer-led by residents of the community, making it easy to make new friends. Check out these crafts and games designed to celebrate senior independence on Independence Day.
Stay in Motion
Exercising in older adulthood helps to maintain physical strength, stamina, coordination, emotional wellbeing, and mental sharpness. When you feel strong and capable, that supports independence. If you were an athlete earlier in life, you may very well be able to maintain vigorous activity during older adulthood. For other folks, being physically active in older adulthood means changing the intensity or type of activity—if your knees aren’t up for running, switch to power walking or swimming, for example. There are so many types of exercise routines that can be modified for an older adult’s needs, from weight training to yoga. Just check with your doctor before starting an exercise program or switching to a new activity.
Elegance and Independence at Everbrook Senior Living
When you reside at an Everbrook Senior Living community, you’ll have access to the Wellnes 4 Later Life Program, which addresses all of your physical, social, and emotional needs. You’ll work with an on-site exercise physiologist and have access to physicians to assess and monitor your health. At Everbrook, you can live among like-minded peers, experience new adventures, and enjoy the simple luxuries of active, independent living in your golden years.
Give us a call today to learn more about all that we have to offer.
Need for intimacy does not diminish as we grow older. Whether romantic or platonic, maintaining close relationships helps older adults experience greater vitality, a sense of belonging, and deeper meaning in life. There are also many health benefits that come with maintaining healthy intimacy during one’s golden years.
Benefits of Intimate Relationships for Older Adults
Whether it’s the closeness between two friends or sparking romance, there are some very simple ways to older adults can enhance their intimate relationships.
Everyday Moments Matter. Physical touch in small, mindful doses throughout the day is an easy way to let someone know of your affection for them. From a spontaneous backrub or foot rub to a gentle touch on the hand or shoulder, these signal to the other person that they are important to you.
Laugh Together. This is a good excuse to go to a funny movie or a comedy club: Laughing eases stress, promotes social bonding, and lowers blood pressure. It may even boost your immune system. Whether with your romantic partner or a special friend, think of ways that the two of you can laugh together more often.
Share More Deeply. Conversation with your significant person is a great way to build intimacy. However, discussion should be about more than the weather or the latest tragic story of the day. Sharing more deeply means opening up your heart, revealing feelings and disclosing hopes, fears, or dreams.
Switch-up Your Routine. By the time we reach older adulthood, we can be pretty set in our ways and routines. To create intimacy, get adventurous by switching-up your routines. This could be as easy as trying a new restaurant, working on a project/ hobby or taking a class together, or planning travel to destinations more exotic than you would typically consider.
It’s Thoughtfulness That Counts. We can get so accustomed to a platonic or romantic partnership that we forget to show appreciation for the other person by simply doing something nice for the other person. Enhancing intimacy can be as easy as offering a compliment, buying a small bouquet of flowers, helping with chores that are typically “the other person’s job”, or cooking a meal for the other person.
Unplug. Just like younger generations, older adults can get sucked into the digital world. Socializing on fine and developing new technology skills are great, but technology should not replace or interfere with personal interaction. Unplug and be fully present, in person.
Get a Little Sexy. Sexual intimacy in older adulthood can boost self-esteem, help reduce stress, enhance immunity, improve sleep, and help you maintain overall good health. If you’ve still got mojo to share (and who doesn’t) then get a little sexy! This might mean buying tasteful intimate attire for your partner, sharing a bed rather than sleeping apart (as many older couples resort to), exploring different ways to experience touch (e.g., massage), or if needed, working with a therapist who specializes in intimacy in older adulthood.
Healthy physical and emotional connection in older adulthood enhances intimate relationships. It’s good for your physical and emotional health and can strengthen friendships or spice-up romantic relationships.
At Everbrook Senior Living, the Life-Enrichment Activities Program is just one of the many offerings that focus on helping our residents establish and maintain meaningful relationships throughout the golden years. To learn more about our programs and arrangements for independent or assisted living, get in touch with us, today.
Resources
National Institutes of Health: Sexuality in Older Adulthood
Why is Intimacy Important for Older Adults? National Council on Aging
No matter your age or activity level, you reap numerous health benefits from spending time in nature. Not only is time spent outdoors good for physical health, it is especially good for brain health. New research from the fields of psychology, health, medicine, and environmental science consistently shows that, for people of all ages, who spend as little as 15 minutes a day interacting with the natural world, experience lower blood pressure, less frequent headaches, and are at lower risk for anxiety and depression. With so much natural beauty surrounding the Everbrook Senior Living Communities, it’s easy to get your daily dose of “nature’s medicine.”
Enough research has been done to strongly indicate that people who spend the least amount of time outdoors have greater detriment to their well-being: higher risk of mental health conditions, obesity, high blood pressure, and other chronic illnesses. There’s even a name for the ill-effects of not spending enough time in nature—it’s called “nature-deficit disorder.” Nature deficiency contributes to the following health issues:
Even though nature-deficit disorder is not yet regarded as a medical condition, both conventional and holistic health practitioners recognize the significance of the detrimental health effects stemming from lack of contact with nature. In fact, in Canada, doctors can now prescribe national park passes to patients who are at risk for, or who are struggling with depression, anxiety, and certain other mental and physical health conditions. Many more physicians around the world have come to recognize nature-deficit as a nonclinical syndrome that can impair the emotional, cognitive, and physical functioning of adults and children.
The Health Benefits of “Nature’s Medicine”
A variety of scientific studies have looked at nature experiences such as wilderness therapy, backpacking and biking excursions, recreational hiking and camping, time simply sitting in a park or spent working in a garden. These studies have shown remarkable effects on health, particularly for the brain:
Nature’s Effect on Brain Health
Spending time in nature stimulates neural and sensory pathways (the pathways to and from the sense organs and the brain). This helps promote “neuroplasticity,” the process by which the brain forms new, and strengthens existing, neural connections. Additionally, research shows that neural pathways that have been exhausted by stress and the use of technology can be revitalized with regular time spent in nature.
Nature’s Effect on Physical Health
Some of the health benefits of time spent in nature can be noticed immediately while others happen over time, including improved function of the circulatory system, the heart and lungs, and the musculoskeletal system. We also receive an abundance of natural light when we are outdoors, helping to boost the body’s natural production of Vitamin D, which is important for many physical processes, including a healthy immune system.
Whether for 15 minutes or a few hours, there are many ways to experience the health benefits of nature:
Forest Bathing. This is not a dip in a river. It's not a hike with a destined path to follow. Forest bathing or shinrin-yoku, is a Japanese tradition that only dates back to the 1980s! Simply, forest bathing is a meditative immersion in which you slow down and intentionally turn your attention to the smells, textures, tastes, and sights of the forest (or trail, or park, or beach as the case may be).
Observe the Night Sky. Before going to bed in the evening, stand outside (away from artificial light) and gaze at the night sky. Try shifting your awareness from the whole sky to a cluster of stars, to a single star.
Take a Stroll. Leave the fitness tracker at home: This is not a goal-oriented, step-counting walk. Just stroll of as little as 5 minutes up to as long as you desire. As you walk, just breathe and observe. Try not to allow your mind to get caught up in any particular thought sequence. This is meditative walking.
Sit Outside. When was the last time you simply sat in your own backyard or on front porch? Or visited a park near your home or the office? Get there – without the phone – and just be present.
There are so many other outdoor pursuits you can learn (also good for the brain!). From paddleboarding, to taking a plein-aire art class, to joining a conservancy group to help with cleaning the trails – the point is to get outside and give your brain and body a healthy dose of nature’s medicine!
The Wonders of Nature, Just Outside Your Everbrook Front Door
The residents of Everbrook Senior Living Communities need not venture far to enjoy the great outdoors and the health benefits of spending time in nature. Our communities are nestled among tree-lined streets, near local parks and nature preserves, and New England’s finest trails and waterways are never too far. Discover all that Everbrook Senior Living has to offer… just outside your front door:
Colebrook Village - meander the historic villages and towns in and around Hebron, CT.
Stonebrook Village - sit alongside Enfield Falls (CT) or sojourn nearby hiking, biking, and fishing areas.
Elmbrook Village - explore colonial-era history by foot or take to the trails at Hopemeade State Park (CT).
Cedarbrook Village - venture into historic Ware, MA; enjoy the verdant hills, trails, and waterways.
Hillsbrook Village - nestled just outside Concord, NH and near Bear Brook State Park. This community is scheduled to open in Fall 2022.
Resources
National Park Service “Get Outside” Program
National Environmental Education Foundation
Natural Attraction Ecology video
"Why is nature beneficial?: the role of connectedness to nature." Mayer, F. S., Frantz, C. M., Bruehlman-Senecal E., Dolliver K. Environment and Behavior. 2009; 41(5):607–643. doi: 10.1177/0013916508319745.
"What Is the Best Dose of Nature and Green Exercise for Improving Mental Health? A Multi-Study Analysis." Barton, J., and J. Pretty. Abstract. Environmental Science & Technology 44, no. 10 (May 15, 2010): 3947-3955.
"Green perspectives for public health: a narrative review on the physiological effects of experiencing outdoor nature." Haluza, D., Schanbauer, R., Cervinka, R. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2014;11(5):5445–5461. doi: 10.3390/ijerph110505445.
"Examining group walks in nature and multiple aspects of well-being: a large-scale study." Marselle, M. R., Irvine, K. N., Warber, S. L. Ecopsychology. 2014;6(3):134–147. doi: 10.1089/eco.2014.0027
"The restorative benefits of nature: toward an integrative framework." Kaplan, S. Journal of Environmental Psychology. 1995; 15(3):169–182. doi: 10.1016/0272-4944(95)90001-2
"The relationship between nature connectedness and happiness: a meta-analysis." Capaldi, C. A., Dopko, R. L., Zelenski J. M. Frontiers in Psychology. 2014; 5, article 976 doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2014.00976. [PMC free article] [PubMed]
The Experience of Nature: A Psychological Perspective. (1989) Kaplan, R., Kaplan, S. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press; Republished by Ulrich's, Ann Arbor, Mich, USA, 1995.
Feeling a sense of purpose or meaning in life is associated with a 19% reduced rate of clinically significant cognitive impairment later, according to findings from a review of evidence led by researchers at University College London (UCL).
The UCL researchers examined several positive psychological constructs (e.g., maintaining a positive mood, being optimistic, having a sense of life purpose) to determine if these constructs have a significant association with reduced risk for dementia and other cognitive impairment in later life.
The results showed that having purpose and meaning in life were key factors consistently associated with reduced risk of dementia years later:
For this study, the UCL research team conducted what is known as a systematic review and meta-analysis, which involves and in-depth approach to pooling and analyzing data from multiple studies. The researchers gathered evidence from nine previously published studies, yielding data from 62,250 older adults (age 50+) across three continents. This makes the findings quite meaningful because they have relevance across different demographics.
Meaning in Life: How Does it Protect the Brain from Impairment?
One theory about how purpose and meaning, as well as other positive psychological factors, may protect against cognitive decline has to do with the physiological effect that positive mood and resiliency has in the body, including the brain.
Positive mood promotes a state of balance (homeostasis) in the body. This reduces the circulation of stress hormones and other chemicals that are known to increase inflammation in the cells and tissues, Inflammation, which causes damage to cells and can alter physiological function, is a known underlying factor in many disease processes, including Alzheimer’s Disease and heart disease among others.
Having a sense of purpose in life seems to promote positive mood, which supports resiliency from stressful events; in turn, this reduces inflammation in the brain—both of which are linked with reduced risk of dementia.
Reinforcing the positive psychological effects that come with having a sense of purpose is the fact that, when people feel their life has meaning and purpose, they are more likely to engage in activities that support their health: exercising, socializing with peers, doing volunteer work—all of which may protect against dementia risk.
The researchers suggest that prevention programs for people at-risk for cognitive impairment and dementia should prioritize activities that help bring purpose and meaning to one’s life. Staff who work with older adults can devote programming time to helping the elder identify what is important them, what their values are, and how they might act in alignment with these priorities and values. The researchers suggested “taking small steps.” For example, if an elder values “education for all,” they could benefit from volunteering as a literacy coach or as a reading buddy in a local school.
Everbrook Senior Living Residents Find Meaning, Purpose in Ageless Communities
The Everbrook philosophy is that, in later life we become ageless: As we fully accept our health and functional status, and that of our friends and neighbors, we recognize how interdependence helps to preserve independence. Our staff design and deliver activities that are suitable for all residents without regard to their functional status (independent living, assisted living, memory care). It is very important to all of us at Everbrook—and to our residents—that there is mutual respect and support among residents and that all residents experience belonging.
To promote a sense of belonging, meaning, and purpose (as suggested by the research study), our staff plans activities that enrich intellectual, social, and emotional wellbeing and help to give residents a sense of control over their aging process. Our interdisciplinary team is well-trained to deliver stage-appropriate activities that are matched to a resident’s functional and cognitive abilities. We employ adaptive methods of communication to evoke and sustain a positive emotion throughout the day.
Our Wellness 4 Later Life™ program model encompasses seven dimensions of wellness: physical, spiritual, emotional, social, intellectual, vocational, and environmental, as are advocated by the International Council of Active Aging. We help our residents discover what is significant in their life, now. Residents, with as much support as is needed, identify ways to add meaning/purpose to their self-care, in their activities at Everbrook, and in the community beyond Everbrook.
Original Research
“Positive psychological constructs and association with reduced risk of mild cognitive impairment and dementia in older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis” by Georgia Bell et al. Ageing Research Reviews. The study was supported by the Alzheimer’s Society
Supporting Research, Resources
Dockray, S., & Steptoe, A. (2010). Positive affect and psychobiological processes. Neuroscience and biobehavioral reviews, 35(1), 69–75. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2010.01.006
Ong, A. D., Mroczek, D. K., & Riffin, C. (2011). The Health Significance of Positive Emotions in Adulthood and Later Life. Social and personality psychology compass, 5(8), 538–551.https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1751-9004.2011.00370.x
National Institute on Aging. Positive Mood in Older Adults Suggests Better Brain Function. (2020, Research Highlights
Since older adults tend to need fewer hours of sleep – around 7 hours a night – than younger people, it might surprise you to learn that sleep deprivation can be quite common in older adults. Not only that, symptoms of sleep deprivation can also be confused for dementia in older adults.
Many people are aware that there is a connection between sleep and brain health. The changes in brain chemistry that occur when we don’t sleep leads to impairment of physical performance, decision making skills, and how well we manage our emotions. Poor quality sleep as well as insufficient hours of sleep makes us sluggish, causes muscle tension and physical fatigue, and can lead to changes in appetite and mood. The longer we go without good quality and sufficient hours of sleep, the more imbalanced brain chemistry and hormones become – and that is not good for the brain.
For older adults, who are less physically resilient to the stresses of poor sleep, the effects on their cognitive abilities can be significant. So much so, family members may wonder if their loved on is showing signs of dementia.
Before you start calling assisted living centers about memory care services, you’ll want to carefully observe the sleep habits and behaviors of the older adult you are concerned about. First, you’ll want to understand the different symptoms of sleep deprivation versus dementia:
Symptoms of Sleep Deprivation
Early Symptoms of Dementia
As you observe your loved one for these symptoms, think about their sleep routine. Ask them (or observe):
Make notes based on your observation and talk with your loved one and their doctor about their sleep habits. If helping them get consistent quality sleep alleviates the symptoms you’ve observed, then you know they experienced sleep deprivation. With quality rest, you should see a return of healthy cognitive function.
If the symptoms you’ve observed don’t improve with better quality sleep, dementia may be developing. Now is the time to plan for your loved one’s quality of life as the symptoms of dementia will inevitably worsen.
At Everbrook Senior Living, our exceptional clinical and recreation teams work synergistically to support residents in living a purposeful life. From independent and assisted living to memory care, our programs and services are designed using the latest evidence-based research on aging. Our residents with early to mid-stage memory impairment are surrounded by a compassionate and caring environment – equipped with high-quality amenities designed to support their emerging needs. To learn more about our newly-built, premier communities for older adults, contact Everbrook Senior Living, today.
This Valentine’s Day we want to remind you of a special relationship between physical health and level of risk for cognitive decline. You may already be aware that, when you engage in physical activity you are building both physical and mental fitness. What you may not know is there is a “brain-heart-health connection” that influences your risk of cognitive decline: The healthier your heart, the lower your level of risk is for dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease (AD).
The brain-heart-health connection isn’t particularly complex. In a nutshell, a healthy brain requires 3 things:
Look over those items once more time. Numbers 1 and 3 on the list are directly related to your diet---what, how often, and how much you eat. Number 2 – a strong blood supply--is related to heart health. So how does heart health relate to brain health?
Your brain relies on a strong heart to pump oxygenated blood into all regions. Scientists now believe that the disease process that leads to Alzheimer’s Disease begins when brain tissue degrades and nerve tissue becomes damaged. Poor circulation to the brain is a key factor in causing such damage to brain tissue.
If you have a history of heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, have diabetes, or other cardiovascular risk factors, it’s not only your heart that is at risk for disease, your brain is as well. For example, a type of dementia called vascular dementia can happen as a result of a series of small, “silent” strokes, sometimes called “mini-strokes.” Also, repeated or prolonged stress on the heart (such as from lack of physical activity, smoking, and stress) can lead to blockages and high blood pressure, which in turn affects circulation to the brain.
The good news is, many of the same things that strengthen the heart also help keep your brain fit and healthy.
Exercise Daily. Exercise helps to strengthen the heart making it more efficient with each contraction; it improves the elasticity and strength of blood vessels; helps to lower blood pressure and improve circulation. When you exercise to build a healthy heart you are also supporting the health of your brain.
Manage Stress. Stress elevates hormones in the body that increase inflammation which, over time, contributes to illness. Meditation, yoga, and mindful walking are stress management activities that put a damper on stress hormones and support the health of the heart, brain and body.
Smart Food. As we age, our bodies can become less efficient at digesting food and absorbing nutrients. Exercising and choosing nutrient-rich foods helps maintain healthy digestive processes, and provides the fuel the brain, heart and body need to maintain vital health.
There are many other heart-healthy strategies you can use to support brain health. These include maintaining a sleep routine for adequate rest; reducing your intake of caffeine, processed foods, sugars, and alcohol; and of course, not smoking.
Remember, the disease process that leads to Alzheimer’s evolves slowly, over as many as ten to twenty years! But the onset of dementia and AD can feel sudden because of the way it robs people of their vitality, memories, and quality of life. You have so many years ahead of you to take care of your heart and your brain...why not start today so that you can have a fitter, healthier future in your Golden Years!
From delicious, nutritious food to wellness and fitness activities to meet a wide variety of interests and needs, Everbrook Senior Living boasts a wide array of health and wellness solutions for every stage of life. Our cutting-edge wellness activities help participants achieve improvements in cardiovascular fitness, strength, and balance. These outcomes help residence reduce risk of injury from falls and risk for cardiovascular disease.
The Wellness 4 Later Life program embodies the seven dimensions of wellness: physical, emotional, social, intellectual, vocational, spiritual and environmental. Our highly experienced team of professional nurses, physiologists, therapists, and instructors delivers a customized, safe, and fun exercise program for each of our older adults. Enrichment activities help round out the needs of each resident, through activities that build community, strengthen cognitive skills, and support emotional wellbeing.
Sources
CDC.com “Brain Health is Connected to Heart Health” Accessed 18 Jan 2022:https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/brain_health.htm
Natural Healing: Prevent Illness and Improve Your Life. The Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (2017). (print)
TED Radio Hour. "Lisa Genova: Can Alzheimer's Disease be Prevented?" Accessed 10 Apr 2018:https://www.npr.org/2017/07/21/537016132/lisa-genova-can-alzheimers-disease-be-prevented
NIA.NIH.gov "What Causes Alzheimer's Disease?" Accessed 10 Apr 2018:https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/what-causes-alzheimers-disease
Smith G.E., "Healthy Cognitive Function and Dementia Prevention." Am Psychol. (2016, May-June). 71:4, 268-275. Accessed 9 Apr 2018:http://psycnet.apa.org/journals/amp/71/4/268/
Healthy Aging and Prevention: Alzheimer's Disease Research Center at Emory University.http://alzheimers.emory.edu/healthy_aging/index.html
