On October 27, 2015, an article by Jo Ann Jenkins, Chief Executive Officer of AARP, dealing with brain health appeared online. Although I rarely deal with an article essentially verbatim in this column, in case you missed it, I have made an exception here. Although some of the article is paraphrased, the gist of the article is intact. I hope you find the information useful.
As people live longer, they seek guidance on how to keep their brains healthy. Topping the list of worries about aging is memory loss and not being mentally alert. Adding to the anxiety is an atmosphere rife with contradictory data, conflicting claims, and even crackpot ideas. With very little, if any, data to support claims, everything from standing on your head to starving yourself has been touted as boosting brain power. People don’t know what to believe.
AARP surveys have found that many people think taking vitamins or supplements is important for maintaining brain functioning; however, the evidence of effectiveness is limited. There is also the belief that playing brain games is the most important activity to maintain cognitive functioning. While keeping the brain active through playing brain games probably does help maintain cognition, experts know that physical activity is even more important.
It is difficult for the average person to sort through all the claims and find the genuinely helpful, scientifically verified information that is available. Therefore, AARP, in collaboration with Age UK, is taking a step to help provide scientifically based information by launching The Global Council on Brain Health (GCBH) with a website—http://www.globalcouncilonbrainhealth.org—to provide trustworthy information and clear, dependable recommendations.
The GCBH will focus on priorities identified by scientists, the popular press, and AARP. Topics to be presented include how exercise affects the brain and improves memory loss, mental engagement, diet, sleep, stress levels, socialization, medications, and supplements. The latest scientific research from doctors, scholars, scientists, and policy experts from around the world will be reviewed. Conclusions will be presented with simple steps that can be taken every day to boost brain health and live life to the fullest.
The GCBH launch and other work to promote maintenance of brain functioning are part of AARP’s effort to disrupt biases about aging and help to transform society’s ideas about what’s possible, no matter the age of the person.
People do not have to be resigned to the idea that there is nothing that can be done to help maintain brain functioning at its best. There are steps that can be taken.
Thank you to AARP and to Age UK for launching the Global Council on Brain Health.