Hello Amazing Friends,

I am reflecting on a lecture I heard while attending a conference on aging a few days ago.  The talk on “Understanding Brain Health” was presented by Dr. Kamal Masaki, a professor and geriatrician at the John A. Burns School of Medicine at the University of Hawaii.

The talk centered on healthy brain aging, an interesting way to think about our brain as we age.  Yes, certain parts of our brain shrink with age, especially those parts associated with memory.  However, I’m happy to note that scientists see improvement in other cognitive areas as we age, such as those associated with problem-solving, judgement and vocabulary.

Some key take-aways for me were the following:
* There is a strong link between heart health and brain health.  Apparently, reducing risk factors for heart disease will do wonders for brain health.
* Physical activity is key to improving connections between brain cells, reducing risks of chronic illness and reducing falls
* Mental activity (reading books, learning new things, performing mentally stimulating activities) helps maintain good brain health
* Remaining socially engaged (through the Amazing Care Network for example), is associated with reduced risk for some health problems, including dementia and depression.

This month, we feature Dr. Bob Uslander who is dedicated to helping people live with joy, and without fear and struggle, at any stage of life, and especially in the face of challenging or terminal illness. 

Here’s to your growing network!

~ Cora, CEO and Founder

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