A 90-year-old brain typically weighs 1,100 to 1,200 grams, and this is 100 or more grams less than the typical 40-year-old brain. Brain shrinkage mostly affects the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus, and the cerebral cortex, which is important for complex thought processes. Over time, the brain can also be affected by declining levels of neurotransmitters, changing hormones, deteriorating blood vessels, and impaired circulation of blood glucose. These brain changes can affect thinking, making it harder to recall words and names, focus on tasks, and process new information.

Physically, the brains of cognitive super agers seem to defy wear and tear better than the average brain. Researchers at Northwestern University’s Mesulam Center for Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer’s Disease in Chicago have tentatively identified a “brain signature” for cognitive super agers, which they define as people age 80 years and older who have performance on memory tests comparable to people two to three decades younger. The researchers conducted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans on 12 cognitive super agers, 10 cognitively normal peers, and 14 cognitively normal people in the 50- to 65-year age range. Comparisons revealed that the cingulate cortex, a brain region considered important for the integration of information related to memory, attention, cognitive control, and motivation was thicker in super agers than in their same-age peers and showed no atrophy compared with the same brain region of the middle agers. In fact, a specific region of the anterior cingulate cortex was significantly thicker in the brains of cognitive super agers than in middle agers’ brains.

In a separate study, the Northwestern researchers found that super agers’ brains contained a much higher density of a particular type of cell called von Economo neurons, which are linked to social intelligence and awareness. Their brains had more of these neurons even than the brains of younger adults.

At Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, researchers are studying younger super agers — people between age 60 and 80 who have memory recall abilities similar to those of 18- to 32-year-olds. They’ve identified distinctive thicknesses in two neural networks that connect parts of the brain important to memory function. The thickness is nearly the same as in the brains of younger adults. The researchers also found that super agers have a bigger hippocampus than other adults their age.

Researchers with UC Irvine’s 90+ Study have identified a curious and counterintuitive feature of the super ager brain: sometimes it shows the pathologies that characterize Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.

Researchers are exploring several theories to explain why some people’s cognitive abilities stay intact to the end of life. Perhaps they start out in life with larger, stronger brains. Or perhaps their brains somehow change to compensate for aging’s damaging effects. Another theory being pursued is whether their brains have stronger defenses against the assaults of aging.

A person’s environment may be a factor. Human and animal studies by NIA-supported scientists have contributed to the growing body of evidence that enriching experiences, such as advanced education and mind-challenging occupations, can help brains last longer.

Social factors also could play a role in healthy cognitive aging. In one of Northwestern University’s studies, investigators gave a 42-item questionnaire on psychological well-being to 31 cognitive super agers and 19 cognitively normal peers. The cognitive super agers reported more friends and family connections, a finding that builds on past research showing links between psychological well-being and lower risk of Alzheimer’s.

by Jannette Jauregui

I walked toward the doorstep of a Ventura County home, Thanksgiving meals in hand. A quick knock, then several steps back to ensure a safe distance. On the other side of the door was a woman who shares the home with her 99-year-old mother. Both had been sheltering in place since the COVID-19 crisis hit the region in March. The risks associated with contracting the virus meant this holiday season would be spent without other members of their family.

“It means a lot to us,” she said. “We are always at home, and it means a lot to us that someone remembers us and cares for us.”

The delivery marked the end of my route for the day – a route established as part of the Ventura County Area Agency on Aging’s (VCAAA) Holiday Meal Delivery program and overarching response to the public health emergency. Like the dozens of others who made deliveries that day, the experience gave me reason to pause. The few stops I made in the couple hours prior represented the needs of millions of older adults and people living with disabilities who, for more than nine months now, have struggled to secure safe access to food. It’s overwhelming, if you think about it. Was it enough to make a difference?

For the more than 1,200 Ventura County residents who received holiday meals that day, the answer is yes. It absolutely made a difference, as it has for all who have been on the receiving end of the more 2.7 million meals the VCAAA has served since the crisis began. What’s more is the Holiday Meal Delivery included a unique component that stemmed from a simple call to action to the community.

In September, the VCAAA launched a Letters of Support Campaign in partnership with Meals on Wheels America. The Campaign is designed to provide kind notes of encouragement to older adults and people with disabilities – a quick reminder that they are not forgotten and that we will get through this together. The community came through in droves. Dozens of letters turned into hundreds, which turned into thousands. Then came the Holiday Greetings Campaign, an extension of the Letters of Support Campaign.

Newspapers printed the press release. News channels broadcast the request. Radio stations ran stories during their highest traffic hours. Schools made it a community service project. And other older adults saw it as a way to reach their peers. Collectively, the community came together both in November and December to help perfect strangers experience a little brightness in an otherwise dark and challenging time.

“I don’t know you,” some children wrote in the cards. “But I am thinking about you. And I care.”

It might seem simple on the surface, but the impact the cards have had in the lives of others runs much deeper.

The isolation and loneliness the pandemic forced upon those most at risk has become just as threatening to their health as the virus itself. A simple meal delivery and kind note may mean the difference between a day of experiencing depression versus one with a moment or two of joy.

If you sent in cards to the VCAAA, it’s important that you know your contributions inspired a community. We will never be able to fully express our gratitude. Those who wish to continue to contribute cards, or those who want to contribute for the first time, may still do so. The VCAAA’s Letters of Support Campaign is an ongoing effort. Cards or letters may be dropped off or mailed to the Ventura County Area Agency on Aging Letters of Support Campaign at 646 County Square Drive, Suite 100, Ventura, Ca. 93003.

Jannette Jauregui is the Public Information Officer for the Ventura County Area Agency on Aging.

With hope and cheer, more than 400 singers from across the country will perform in a virtual holiday choral concert, Joy!, produced by Encore Creativity for Older Adults, the nation’s largest choral organization for adults over 55, in collaboration with AARP. The uplifting multimedia production featuring string, brass, woodwind and percussion instruments will premiere Thursday, December 17th at 7 p.m. EST on www.encorecreativity.org and on Encore’s YouTube channel and Facebook page. Viewing is free and available until January 16, 2021.

This year, Encore singers from across the country will perform in a virtual holiday concert premiering December 17th, in collaboration with AARP. Photo by Larry Kelly.The New York City Encore Chorale performing last holiday season at St. Mark’s Church-in-the-Bowery. This year, Encore singers from across the country will perform in a virtual holiday concert premiering December 17th, in collaboration with AARP. Photo by Larry Kelly.

This inspiring performance will also highlight the power of music to promote brain health and mental well-being, and feature insights from the recent report by AARP’s Global Council on Brain Health, a collaboration of doctors and scientists from around the world. A survey by AARP Research found that active musical engagement, especially for those over 50, was connected to higher rates of happiness and cognitive function.

Although live choral concerts aren’t possible during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, Jeanne Kelly, Encore’s Founder and Artistic Director, was determined not to let Encore singers and audiences down this holiday season. “We are thrilled to present our first virtual concert and bring joy during this time, as well as share AARP’s important findings of music’s impact on our health,” said Kelly.

For more information about Encore’s virtual holiday concert and its new virtual winter/spring session, which begins January 25, 2021, visit www.encorecreativity.org or call 301-261-5747.

Founded in 2007 and based in Annapolis, Md., Encore Creativity for Older Adults, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, offers 22 ensembles in Maryland, Virginia, the District of Columbia and New York City, in addition to summer and international travel opportunities. Encore features three programs: Encore Chorale, traditional choral singing, Encore ROCKS, a rock & roll chorus, and Sentimental Journey Singers, a choir for those with early to moderate Alzheimer’s and other memory impairments and their care partners. Encore remains committed to its mission during this pandemic to provide an excellent and accessible arts education program for older adults regardless of ability or experience.

by Mike Campbell Aging Care

How will you know when your elderly parents need help at home? One thing is certain: your parents aren’t likely to be the ones who tell you they need a helping hand!

Admitting the need for help and accepting assistance are not easy for people as they age. The responsibility often falls on family members to recognize the signs that an aging loved one might need support with completing activities of daily living (ADLs).

Seniors have a strong desire to remain independent and in control of their own lives for as long as possible. Typically, an older adult will experience a traumatic event precipitating the realization that they need assistance. Because adult children are often unable to participate in making care decisions before a crisis takes place, the added emotional stress of a sudden hospitalization or fall further complicates this process. One way to avoid this is to start regularly monitoring your parents’ physical and mental abilities and researching long-term care options. This will ensure you are prepared should your parents begin to show signs of needing help.

Warning Signs That an Aging Parent Needs Help at Home
Difficulty Performing Routine Activities of Daily Living
Bathing
Dressing and grooming
Toileting
Continence
Transferring or moving from place to place (e.g., moving from the bed to a chair)
Eating

Changes in Physical Function or Appearance That Indicate a Need for Assistance
Noticeable weight loss due to poor diet, difficulty cooking, eating, shopping for food, etc.
Sloppy appearance due to difficulty dressing and grooming.
Poor personal hygiene and unpleasant body odor as a result of infrequent showering or bathing.
Noticeable decline in grooming habits and personal care, such as unkempt hair, untrimmed nails or lack of oral care.
Bruises, wounds or other marks on the body that could indicate a senior has fallen or is having trouble walking or moving from place to place.
Noticeable burns on the skin could indicate a senior is experiencing problems cooking.
Changes in sleep patterns, such as sleeping for most of the day.

Changes in Behavior or Mental Status
Lack of drive or motivation.
Loss of interest in hobbies and activities.
Difficulty keeping track of time.
Failure to return phone calls to friends and family members.
Changes in mood or extreme mood swings.
Increased agitation
Verbally or physically abusive behaviors.
Physical Clues That Your Parents Are Neglecting Household Responsibilities
Inability to independently complete Instrumental ADLs.
Dirty house and/or extreme clutter.
Stacks of unopened mail, late payment notices or bounced checks.
Unpaid bills, calls from collectors or utilities being turned off.
Spoiled food that doesn’t get thrown away.
Little or no fresh, healthy food or overall low food supply.
Stained or wet furniture or carpet.
Urine odor in house (signs of incontinence).
Pots and pans with noticeable burn marks could indicate food has been left unattended while cooking or reheating.
General upkeep, such as the lawn, snow removal or garbage collection, not being maintained as normal.
Signs of unsafe driving, such as automobile dents and scratches.

Warning Signs That Your Parent Might Be Developing Dementia, Alzheimer’s Disease or Some Other Cognitive Impairment
Forgetfulness, including forgetting to take medications or taking incorrect dosages.
Missing important appointments.
Consistent memory lapses.
Increased confusion.
Loss of reasoning skills.
Consistent use of poor judgment (e.g. falling for scams or sales pitches or giving away money).
Difficulty performing familiar tasks.
Frequently misplacing items.
Frequently getting lost when walking or driving.
Repetitive speech patterns.
Inability to complete sentences.
Changes in personality or behavior.
Poor personal hygiene and wearing the same clothes over and over.
Inability to recall names of familiar people or objects.

Are you looking for a great opportunity for giving this holiday season? The residents and staff at Cypress Place Senior Living in Ventura invite you to donate new blankets for adults and children who have taken shelter at The City Center Transitional Living center.

“The holidays are upon us and there is no better way to come together as a community than to reach out to those in need,” said Gina Salman, executive director at Cypress Place. “We are thrilled to be partnering with The City Center Transitional Living for this effort.”

In addition to accepting donations from the general public, the residents of Cypress Place will also be making blankets in house at the community for the blanket drive. “Our residents are still vibrant, active members of society, and they have so much to give,” according to Salman.

Donations of new blankets will be accepted until December 24, 2020. A donation box will be available outside the Assisted Living community entrance at 1200 Cypress Point Lane, Ventura.

Let’s blanket Ventura County with goodwill this holiday season!

Cypress Place Senior Living is a premiere independent living, assisted living, and memory care community in the city of Ventura. For more information about Cypress Place Senior Living located at 1200/1220 Cypress Point Ln Ventura, CA 93003, visit www.cypressplaceseniorliving.com or call 805-650-8000.

The City Center and its staff, case managers, therapists, and mentors are dedicated to helping homeless, often single parent families transition from homelessness to independence. For more information about The City Center Transitional Living visit www.thecitycenter.org or call 805-628-9035.

A newly-published systematic review and meta-analysis identifies the training activities that have been shown to be effective in improving safety among older drivers. The researchers found that computerized brain exercise training found exclusively in BrainHQ from Posit Science had significant benefits to older drivers’ safety.

There are now more than 44 million drivers over age 65 in the United States. They are second only to newly-licensed drivers in crash rate, and drivers aged 75 and older have the highest death rate due to crashes. There are many different types of interventions deployed to assist older drivers.

The review, published in the journal Accident Analysis and Prevention, evaluated the effects of a variety of interventions on driving performance and auto crash risk. Surprisingly, many of the most commonly used types of interventions were simply not effective. In particular, classroom or web-delivered lectures on road rules or driving, in-car demonstrations that teach driver and hand positioning, simulator-based training, and on-road training had no significant effect.

The reviewers found only skill-specific interventions – including cognitive training, visual-perceptual training, and physical training – had significant impact on older driver performance.

The reviewers noted that only the speed-of-processing cognitive training (now found exclusively in BrainHQ) significantly reduced at-fault crashes. Other studies of the BrainHQ training also were also cited.

The speed of processing training in BrainHQ progressively challenges users to see things more quickly and with greater accuracy. Such improvements result in more reaction time and a wider field of view (as the brain processes more information at greater speed).

“Older drivers have a lot of experience – they haven’t forgotten how to drive,” said Posit Science CEO Dr. Henry Mahncke. “Giving them drivers education classes again doesn’t help much. The science shows what’s effective is training the brain to be faster and more accurate.”

Independent studies of BrainHQ have shown many positive results for older drivers, including: 38% fewer dangerous driving maneuvers, faster reaction time (equivalent to 22 feet more stopping distance at 55 mph), greater confidence driving in difficult conditions, 48% fewer at-fault crashes, 30% lower overall crash incidence, and maintaining safe driving later in life.

Drivers insured by AAA in many states can get Drivesharp training from BrainHQ through their insurer without charge and can receive a discount on their premium.

Senior News Line
by Matilda Charles

Cold weather is here … joining the coronavirus and the flu. Such a wonderful trio of events all at the same time. We didn’t want to go outside anyway, did we? This winter especially we need to do all we can to stay healthy.

Arrange for prescriptions to be sent by mail from the pharmacy.

Stock up on batteries for flashlights, and consider getting a battery-operated radio. Remember to keep your cellphone charged at all times.

Try to stock up on heavy or large items from the grocery store, ideally from curbside pickup. A box of canned goods and extra toilet paper will keep you from having to scramble at the last minute.

Don’t try to save money by keeping the temperatures in your house too low. Seniors especially can get into trouble with hypothermia before we even know it. Aim for indoor temperatures of 68 F to 70 F, and put on a sweater!

(c) 2020 King Features Synd., Inc.

by National Institute on Aging

Telehealth is a service that uses video calling and other technologies to help you see your doctor or other health care provider from home instead of at a medical facility. Telehealth may be particularly helpful for older adults with limited mobility and for those living in rural areas, as they will have the opportunity to see and talk with their doctor from their home. For older adults, talking with their doctor online, through a phone, tablet, or other electronic device, can often be easier, faster, and less expensive than making a trip to an office.

Telehealth can also help support family caregivers who are taking care of their loved ones either close by or from afar. If a caregiver needs to ask the doctor a question, they can do so through an online health portal rather than waiting for and traveling to an in-person appointment.

Telehealth and telemedicine are two different types of online health care services. Telemedicine refers specifically to online doctor visits, while telehealth also includes health-related education services like diabetes management or nutrition courses and health-related training.

The transition from in-person to online appointments can be difficult for some people, especially those who are not familiar with the technology. By taking a few minutes before your appointment to prepare, you can set yourself up for a more successful visit.

Try to use the best camera you can find. This may be attached to your phone, laptop, tablet, or desktop computer. A clear picture can help your doctor understand and address your concerns more easily and effectively.

Test the camera in advance. Practice in advance with a family member or a friend to make sure you understand how to use your camera when you have your online visit with your doctor.

Test the sound and video on your device. Most devices have built-in microphones and speakers, but you may have to turn them on or enable the telehealth software or website to access them. Video calling a friend before your appointment can help ensure that everything is working properly. Using headphones or earbuds may make it easier for you to hear your doctor and for your doctor to hear you, but it’s good to test these out first to see what works best.

Use the best internet connection possible. If you are not using Wi-Fi, try getting the best signal by using a wired connection to your router or an Ethernet cable. If you are using Wi-Fi, being physically close to the internet router and minimizing devices connected to it can help improve your connection.

Charge your device. If you are using a wireless device, like a phone, laptop, or tablet, check to make sure your battery is charged enough to last through your appointment. Try charging it the night before your appointment.

Many insurance providers, including Medicaid and some private insurers, are beginning to cover telehealth services. However, telehealth coverage varies widely from state to state with differences in how telehealth is defined and paid for. Because insurance coverage policies differ, it’s important to check with insurance providers or your health care provider’s billing department directly for the latest information about coverage for telehealth services.

The Ventura County Area Agency on Aging (VCAAA) is again extending a call to action to local schools and the community for a Holiday Greetings Campaign aimed to reach older adults and people with disabilities who are living in Ventura County. The VCAAA is seeking greeting cards that are handmade or premade by children and adults alike with a short holiday greeting written inside. Cards will be distributed as part of the VCAAA’s COVID-19 meal service programs.

More than 30,000 older adults in Ventura County are living alone, and the isolation, loneliness, and depression many of them are experiencing during the COVID-19 has become as much of a threat to their overall health as the virus itself. With the holiday season upon us, the VCAAA recognizes that this is the most critical time to extend not only our services to these populations, but also our care and support.

The VCAAA received more than 1,000 holiday greeting cards through the month of November that were distributed throughout Ventura County with a special Thanksgiving meal delivery. The cards and meals received positive feedback, with one recipient saying, “it means a lot that somebody remembers us and cares for us.”

A second holiday meal delivery is scheduled for the end of December, and more cards are needed to include with those meals. Those interested in participating should send completed greeting cards to the VCAAA through December 21st, 2020. Greeting cards may be mailed to, or dropped off at, 646 County Square Drive, Suite 100, Ventura, Ca. 93003. Please notate VCAAA Holiday Greetings Campaign on the envelope.

The VCAAA continues to encourage family members and neighbors to safely connect with loved ones who may benefit from similar holiday greetings, and from support with grocery shopping or other errands. It is extremely important to keep open lines of communication to help minimize the isolation so many older adults are experiencing.

Those interested in participating in this program may e-mail [email protected] for more information, or call (805) 477-7306.

by Matilda Charles

With most of us spending most of our days at home, it’s time for us to take advantage of the internet. Here are some resources that can enrich our lives.

Inquire at the local senior center about any exercise classes online. Some classes will be live on Zoom and others will be videos that the instructors record and post on the center’s website. If they’re not hosting any classes, search online for “seniors exercise at home” and look for some that are produced by other senior centers.

Virtual art classes can open up new areas of interest and reveal talents you didn’t know you had. Better yet, if you’re a beginner or are exploring a new art medium, look for videos that you can review over and over. Look online for free art classes online for seniors.

Exercise and art aren’t the only free classes you’ll find online. Yoga and tai chi, sewing, baking and cake decorating, creative writing, a new language — if it can be done online, there’s a class for it somewhere.

And don’t forget Class Central (www.classcentral.com). Check the website for a list of MOOCS (massive open online courses). There 15,000 different free and low-cost classes in its searchable database from colleges and universities around the world. Imagine taking a philosophy course from the University of Edinburgh or Introduction to Classical Music via Yale University. (I put art history into its search box and got back 165 results.) Read the details for any class you’re considering. It will tell you if the class is self-paced, whether it’s free to audit, the class level and how much time per week you can expect to spend on the work, as well as reviews from other students.

Winter is fast approaching, but at least we’re no longer getting those constant election phone calls, and the endless calls about signing up for a Medicare Advantage Plan have ceased. The one thing that hasn’t gone away is the coronavirus, and our lives are nowhere back to normal. After we’ve baked yet another loaf of pandemic bread and can log on to a Zoom neighborhood chat with our eyes closed, it’s time to look for other things to do.

Here are some of the things I’m checking into to stay busy (and indoors) this winter:

Becoming a remote reading tutor for a child. This would be done via the school’s chat program, so there’s no risk of transmission of the virus. A school aide will send me links to copied pages of books that my assigned child is learning to read, and we’ll hook up while he or she is at school.

Growing plants with grow lights. I’ve arranged shelving in a spare room with space for plenty of plants, both houseplants and herbs. The plan is to have a mixture of small houseplants such as pothos and spider plant, and give them as gifts to neighbors once they are big enough to divide. With fingers crossed, I’m also going to try growing English ivy and asparagus fern from seed.

Experimenting with pottery. I’ve been curious about air-dry pottery, so I’ve ordered 10 pounds of white modeling clay and a smaller package of terra cotta. The reviews say it’s good for sculpting and doesn’t require a kiln or baking in the oven. If it works, I’m thinking of creating jewelry and painting them with acrylics or trying to produce miniatures of famous sculptures from museum websites. (Rodin’s “The Thinker” seems appropriate right about now.)

These projects should keep me busy over the winter. How about you?

(c) 2020 King Features Synd., Inc.