by National Institute on Aging

Long-term calorie restriction may slow the pace of biological aging in healthy adults, according to an NIA-funded study. Specifically, cutting caloric intake by 12% for two years in lean or slightly overweight adults slowed the pace of aging by 2-3%. Although the effect is small, it adds up over time; earlier research suggests that a similar slowdown may reduce the risk of dying in 10 to 15 years by 10-15%. The findings, published in Nature Aging, provide evidence that age-associated molecular changes can be slowed or reversed to potentially extend lifespan in humans.

Biological age refers to the accumulating damage, physiological changes, and loss of function that occur in a person over time. One method scientists use to measure biological age examines the epigenome, which contains a record of changes to a cell’s DNA and DNA-associated proteins. Led by Columbia University scientists, this study used DNA methylation (DNAm) to determine if the long-term calorie reduction changed how fast bodies were aging. The researchers analyzed data collected from a previous trial called the Comprehensive Assessment of Long-term Effects of Reducing Intake of Energy (CALERIE) trial. The CALERIE trial examined the effects of calorie restriction in healthy, lean, or slightly overweight young and middle-aged adults over two years. The scientists wanted to know if the calorie restriction in the CALERIE trial affected molecular processes associated with aging. The goal for participants was to reduce their daily caloric intake by 25%, but the average that the calorie restriction group was able to reach was a 12% reduction.

Compared to the 75 participants who ate normally, the 143 participants who cut their calories slowed their pace of aging by 2-3% over the two-year study using the DunedinPACE measure, a DNAm-based “speedometer” which determines the annual rate of biological aging. In agreement with earlier small studies in animals, the findings suggest that molecular processes of aging can be slowed in humans. Notably the researchers found that “clock” DNAm measures of biological age (rather than rate of aging) were not affected by the calorie reduction intervention.

Notably, the levels of calorie reduction varied among CALERIE trial participants; 75% achieved up to a 20% reduction. Using the information on these participants, the researchers estimated the effects of 20% calorie reduction and found that it resulted in more pronounced drops in their pace of aging compared to the effect in the overall CALERIE population.

The authors note some limitations to their study. First, DNAm is just one marker of aging. Other age-related molecular processes will need to be evaluated to better understand the effects of long-term calorie reduction on disease risk and biological aging. Also, data on the CALERIE trial participants was collected for two years. Larger trials with longer follow-ups are needed to determine if the slowing of the pace of aging with calorie reduction translates to long-term health benefits and longer lifespan.

Despite these limitations, this study is the first to use DNAm to quantify the effects of a lifestyle therapy on aging. Moreover, this study provides evidence that long-term caloric reduction slows changes that occur with aging in humans and suggests that epigenetic aging may be modifiable.

This research was supported in part by NIA grants AG061378, AG028716, AG054840, AG070455, AG071717, AG071549, AG060906, and AG070455.

by Ross Wiilliams

Ventura has been home to the dynamic and multifaceted John Perram for the past three years. A man whose life weaves through the realms of sports, family legacies, and the restaurant industry. John’s story is one of passion, resilience, and an unyielding commitment to his pursuits.

School Years

John’s early years were marked by an active engagement in sports, particularly baseball and tennis. As a shortstop for Santa Monica College’s baseball team, his skills on the diamond caught the attention of even professional scouts, leading him to try out for the Oakland A’s. Although unsuccessful, it showed the depth of his dedication and the extent of his talent. Undeterred by the outcome, John’s resilience became a defining trait.

For John, tennis is a family tradition and was ingrained in his DNA. With both parents sharing a love for the sport and a family history adorned with notable achievements. The Wall of Fame at Libbey Park in Ojai proudly displays the names of four of John’s family members, cementing their legacy in the oldest tennis tournament in US history, “The Ojai” Tennis Tournament.

Restaurant Life

Transitioning from the world of sports, John ventured into the realm of culinary delights, becoming a restaurateur. In the 80’s and 90’s the Pelican’s Retreat and Nightclub in Calabasas became synonymous with delicious seafood cuisine, especially renowned for its red snapper adorned with a delectable lemon butter sauce. Over time, the establishment evolved into a vibrant nightclub, attracting both locals and celebrities. However, the shift brought challenges as they navigated finding their identity, experimenting with various foods, and accommodating a changing clientele.

The 94 Earthquake

John and the Pelican’s Retreat stood resilient during the 1994 earthquake. Remarkably, the establishment remained unscathed, with only a lone TV succumbing to the tremors. Ready to open that very night, he wanted to open to help the community in a time of crisis. Recognizing the importance of providing a gathering place for solace and support. The Pelican’s Retreat became a beacon of resilience, offering a comforting refuge for the community to come together and heal in the aftermath of the earthquake.

Retirement and Leisure Activities

John has transitioned into a well-deserved retirement, embracing a life filled with leisure, community engagement, and the joys of travel alongside his best friend and wife, Royce.

Volunteering at Olivas Adobe

A defining aspect of John and Royce’s retired life is their commitment to giving back. Volunteering at Olivas Adobe has become a shared passion for the couple. Royce serves as a docent, sharing the rich history of the site, while John dedicates his time to maintaining the beautiful rose bushes that adorn the grounds. Their joint efforts contribute to preserving Ventura’s cultural heritage and creating a welcoming environment for visitors.

Travel Adventures in Retirement

Venturing into this new chapter of life, John and Royce embarked on a memorable trip down to Key West a year ago. This adventure marked the beginning of their commitment to making travel a priority in the coming years. With a Travel Sprinter RV as their trusty companion, the couple plans to explore new destinations and create lasting memories along the way.

As John transitions into retirement, Ventura remains the backdrop to this chapter, a place where John finds joy, community, and the perfect blend of relaxation and adventure in his well-deserved retirement. His journey continues to be a source of inspiration as he embodies the spirit of embracing life’s diverse experiences. Gazing off into the harbor where sailboats gently rocked against blue gray sky, John expressed a profound sense of gratitude for the life he has built in Ventura. “I feel very blessed and proud to have ended up here! Ventura! I love it!”

Editor’s note: I have played tennis with John but he is too good for me.
Sheldon

The Ventura County Area Agency on Aging, a division of the Human Services Agency, is seeking applicants for an open Senior Assembly Member position on the California Senior Legislature. This person will also serve on the VCAAA’s Advisory Council.

The California Senior Legislature is a volunteer body whose primary mission is to help preserve and enhance the quality of life for older Californians and their families. The CSL gathers ideas for legislation at the state and federal levels, crafts the ideas into formal proposals, prioritizes the proposals, presents them to members of the Legislature or the Congress, and advocates for laws implementing the ideas.

Each October, the CSL meets in Sacramento to convene a model legislative session in the chambers and hearing rooms of the State Capitol. The CSL members participate in hearing testimony, debating issues, and voting to approve or disapprove legislative proposals.

Forty Senior Senators and 80 Senior Assembly Members are selected in elections supervised by the Advisory Councils of the state’s various Area Agencies on Aging.

Candidates must be 55 or older. The application deadline is March 29, 2024. The election packet is attached, though it, and more information related to the election process, can be found at www.4csl.org in the Forms section. The completed packet – which must also include a resume that outlines one’s experience at the city and county levels dealing with older adults – should be emailed to [email protected] or mailed to Roger Horne, VCAAA, 646 County Square Drive #100, Ventura, CA, 93003.

After nominations are received, the VCAAA’s Advisory Council will hold an election at its May 8, 2024 meeting. Newly elected members will be sworn in during the October 2024 Annual Legislative Session. The term of this position runs through October 2026.

MEDIA CONTACT: Roger Horne, VCAAA Public Information Officer, (805) 477-7306, [email protected]

ABOUT: The Ventura County Area Agency on Aging, a division of the County of Ventura’s Human Services Agency, is charged with the responsibility to promote the development and implementation of a comprehensive coordinated system of care that enables older individuals, children and adults with disabilities, and their caregivers to live in a community-based setting. The VCAAA advocates for the needs of those 60 years and older in the county, providing leadership and promoting citizen involvement in the planning process as well as in the delivery of services.

Exposure to stress increased biological age in humans and mice, but it decreased after the stress resolved, according to NIA-funded research. Findings from the study were published in Cell Metabolism.

Biological age refers to the accumulating damage, physiological changes, and loss of function that occur in a person’s cells over time. One method scientists use to measure biological age examines the epigenome, which contains a record of changes to a cell’s DNA and DNA-associated proteins.

Led by Harvard University scientists, this study used DNA methylation (DNAm)-based aging clocks to measure changes in biological age in response to diverse forms of stress. The researchers began with a laboratory experiment known to produce aged physiology in young mice or restore youthful physiology to old mice by surgically joining young, 3-month-old mice with older, 20-month-old mice, which allowed them to share their blood. At the molecular level, they found that the biological age of the young mice increased when measured with most aging clocks. Once the young mice were separated from the old mice and therefore were no longer experiencing the older mouse physiology, their biological age returned to youthful levels. This finding suggested that biological age is malleable and potentially reversible, and these changes are reported by DNAm aging clocks.

Next, the researchers examined blood samples from people who had recently experienced stressful situations, including surgery (emergency versus elective), pregnancy, or severe COVID-19. Analysis of blood samples from patients who underwent emergency surgery showed their biological age increased the morning after surgery and returned to pre-surgery levels four to seven days later. Elective surgeries, on the other hand, had less impact on biological age, which the authors attribute to pre-operative regimens known to aide recovery. Pregnancy in both mice and humans led to increased biological age at delivery, which reverted to lower biological age following delivery and recovery.

The research team found the same reversible biological age in older adults with severe COVID-19, although the change differed by gender and treatment. The scientists also found people in the group who were treated with the immunosuppressive drug tocilizumab, usually prescribed to treat moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis, showed a greater reversal of their increased biological age related to COVID-19.

The elevation and subsequent return to baseline of biological age found in this study may represent possible targets for geroscience-based interventions to improve health at older ages. Future research may explore how temporary fluctuations of apparent biological age influence aging over a lifetime.

This research was supported in part by NIA grant R21AG065943.

by National Institute on Aging

Have you, or has someone you love, recently been diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment, early-stage Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, or a frontotemporal disorder? Do you worry about how to manage if you live alone? If so, these tips offer ways to help cope with changes in memory and thinking, prepare for the future, and stay active and engaged.

Many people with early-stage dementia continue to manage their everyday activities. But it’s important to look ahead to a time when performing daily tasks will be harder. The sooner you adopt new strategies to help you cope with changes, the more time you will have to adjust to them. Here are some tips:

Organizing your days. Write down to-do lists, appointments, and events in a notebook or calendar. You can also keep track of activities with computer software or a smartphone app. Some people have an area in their home, such as an entryway table or bench, where they store important items or organize the things they need each day. You may also want to consider using a digital clock that displays the day of the week and date, in addition to the time.

Paying bills. Setting up automated payments is an easy way to pay your bills correctly and on time without having to write checks. Many companies and banks offer this service at no extra charge. You can set up automatic payments with your utility providers, insurance companies, bank, and mortgage company or leasing office. Also consider asking someone you trust to help you pay bills. That person could review your financial statements and ask you about anything unusual,

Shopping for meals. Many stores offer grocery delivery services, usually for a small fee. You can also order fresh or frozen meals online or by phone. Meals on Wheels America (888-998-6325) can deliver free or low-cost meals to your home, too, and this service sometimes includes a short visit and safety check. Other possible sources of meals include religious communities and senior centers. If you make your own meals at home, consider easy-to-prepare items, such as foods that you can heat in the microwave.

Taking medications. Several products can help you manage medications. You can try a weekly pillbox, a pillbox that gives you a notification (such as an alarm or vibration) when it’s time to take medicine, or an automatic medication dispenser. You can buy these items at a drugstore or online, but you may need someone to help you set these up. Or try an electronic reminder system, such as a smartphone app or an alarm you set on your phone or computer.

Using transportation. If you drive, you may find that you become confused, get lost, or need help with directions more often than before. Talk with your doctor about these changes. If family or friends express concerns about your driving, take their concerns seriously. Some people decide to give up driving and learn how to use public transportation or ride sharing. Neighbors, volunteers, or ride services for older adults may also be able to help with transportation.

Contact the Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116. This nationwide service from the Administration on Aging connects older Americans and their caregivers with local support resources.

People with dementia experience a range of symptoms related to changes in thinking, remembering, reasoning, and behavior. Living with dementia presents unique challenges, but there are steps you can take to help now and in the future.

Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias get worse over time. Even simple everyday activities can become difficult to complete. To help cope with changes in memory and thinking, consider strategies that can make daily tasks easier. Try to adopt them early on so you will have more time to adjust. You can:

Write down to-do lists, appointments, and events in a notebook or calendar.

Set up automated bill payments and consider asking someone you trust to help manage your finances.

Have your groceries delivered.

Manage your medications with a weekly pillbox, a pillbox with reminders (like an alarm), or a medication dispenser.

Ask your doctor to provide a care plan and write down care directions (or have a family member or friend take notes during the visit).

Dementia often changes a person’s sleeping habits. You may sleep a lot, or not enough, and wake up many times during the night. Poor sleep quality can make dementia symptoms worse.

Tips for better and safer sleep:

Follow a regular schedule by going to sleep and getting up at the same time each day, even on weekends or when traveling.

Develop a relaxing bedtime routine with lowered lights, cool temperature, and no electronic screens.

Avoid caffeine and naps late in the day.

Have a lamp that’s easy to reach and turn on, a nightlight in the hallway or bathroom, and a flashlight nearby.

Keep a telephone with emergency numbers by your bed.

Talk to your doctor if you have problems sleeping.

Healthy and Active Lifestyle Tips for People Living With Dementia

Participating in activities you enjoy and getting exercise may help you feel better, stay social, maintain a healthy weight, and have regular sleep habits.

Try these tips for a healthy and active lifestyle:

Try to be physically active for at least 30 minutes on most or all days of the week. But be realistic about how much activity you can do at one time. Several short “mini-workouts” may be best.

Aim for a mix of exercise types — endurance, strength, balance, and flexibility. For example, you could do a mix of walking or dancing, lifting weights, standing on one foot, and stretching. Even everyday activities like household chores and gardening help you stay active.

Your diet may need to change as dementia progresses to maintain a healthy weight. Talk with your doctor about the best diet for you, and choose nutritious foods such as fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and lean sources of protein and dairy products. Avoid added sugars, saturated fats, and sodium.

Stay social by talking on the phone with family and friends, joining an online support group, or going for a walk in your neighborhood.

Finding Care and Support: Tips for People Living With Dementia

Many people may be able to help in different ways. These people might include family members, friends, professional caregivers, community organizations, and others with dementia. For example, you can:

by National Institute on Aging

Many people want the same things as they get older: to stay in their own homes, to maintain independence for as long as possible, and to turn to family and friends for help when needed. Staying in your own home as you get older is called “aging in place.” But many older adults and their families have concerns about safety, getting around, or other daily activities. Living at home as you age requires careful consideration and planning. This article offers suggestions to help you find the help you need to continue to live independently.

The best time to think about how to age in place is before you need a lot of care. Planning ahead allows you to make important decisions while you are still able.

The first step is to think about the kinds of help you need now and might want in the future. You can learn about home-based care and other services in your community and find out what they cost. Planning ahead also gives you time to set up your home to meet your needs as you age.

Another step is to consider any illnesses, such as diabetes or heart disease, that you or your spouse might have. Find out about how the illness could make it hard for someone to get around or take care of themselves in the future. Your health care provider can help answer your questions.

Talk with your family, friends, and other caregivers about what support is needed for you to stay in your home. Be realistic and plan to revisit the decision as your needs change over time.

Support for aging at home

Home-based care includes health, personal, and other support services to help you stay at home and live as independently as possible. In-home services may be short-term — for someone who is recovering from an operation, for example — or long-term, for people who need ongoing help.

In many cases, home-based support is provided at home by informal caregivers, such as family members, friends, and neighbors. It can also be supplemented by formal caregivers and community services.

Help you can receive at home includes:

Personal care: Help with everyday activities, also called “activities of daily living,” including bathing, dressing, grooming, using the toilet, eating, and moving around — for example, getting out of bed and into a chair

Household chores: Housecleaning, yard work, grocery shopping, laundry, and similar chores around the house

Meals: Shopping for food and preparing nutritious meals

Money management: Tasks such as paying bills and filling out health insurance forms

Health care: Help with many aspects of health care, including giving medications, caring for wounds, helping with medical equipment, and providing physical therapy

Transportation: Assistance getting around, such as rides to the doctor’s office or grocery store

Safety: Home safety features and help in case of a fall or other emergency