Author: Tom

Source: http://sharpbrains.com/blog/2016/10/28/improving-brain-fitness-literacy-in-japan/

— Shoukei Matsumoto and Alvaro Fernandez. Courtesy of Newsweek Japan

Newsweek Japan just published this great article to disseminate latest thinking and research about meditation, brain fitness and digital technologies, based on Alvaro Fernandez’ trip last week to discuss How is our societal obsession with technology changing our health and well-being at the World Forum on Sport and Culture in Tokyo.

Key insights discussed, com…

Source: http://blog.alz.org/my-mothers-fight-continues-through-me/

When my mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, I was a healthcare professional working in assisted living. I didn’t have much personal experience with dementia or first-hand knowledge of what it would be like to walk with someone on this journey. Suddenly, it became my mother’s journey and, eventually, my story as well.

My sisters and I bought every book we could find about this terrible disease. “You read these three, I’ll read these four.” We felt desperate to learn as much as we could to help our mother. The books, along with the Alzheimer’s Association’s website and blog, were so helpful to us! I remember reading about the stages of the disease, and I could see my mother’s path in front of me.

That pa…

Source: http://blog.alz.org/thank-you-for-loving-me/

My wife Kim and I in Jamaica.

In 2015, I was diagnosed with younger-onset Alzheimer’s disease. My father, 85, and the youngest of 10, is living with Alzheimer’s, as well as one of his brothers. Their father also had the disease.

Still fresh in my mind is an early incident at my grandparent’s home. My grandmother was trying to tell my grandfather where the closet was so that he could hang his coat, as he had done so many times before. He was standing right in front of the closet, but couldn’t seem to find it. I recall her looking at me, saying, “He’s confused, honey.”  At that time I had no idea how he could have been possibly confused. That event, more than 45 years ago, left an indelible mark…

Source: https://blog.beautiful-minds.com/2016/10/31/4-steps-to-better-brain-health/

The brain is much like a newborn baby. It is fragile and needs all of the proper care and nutrition to help it grow into a strong organ to carry us throughout our lifespan. We are sharing four important steps to better brain health that you can start today.

No. 1: Volunteer with today’s youth – A science-based initiative through Johns Hopkins University and AARP (American Association of Retired Persons), called Experience Corps, found that older adults who volunteer in urban schools improved the educational experience of children AND the older volunteers also experienced meaningful improvements in their own mental and physical health. Why? Because they were increasing their daily socialization and they had a reason to get moving early in the day – all things the brain loves.

No. 2: Eat the catch of the day – Well, only if the catch of the day is a fatty fish high in DHA omega-3. This specific omega-3 makes up about 30 percent o…

Source: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/healthy-moments/Pages/archive.aspx#hm434

Dr. Rodgers explains that research has shown type 2 diabetes can be prevented or delayed for those at high risk….

Source: http://sharpbrains.com/blog/2016/10/31/could-you-repeat-that-study-links-hearing-loss-to-brain-aging/

It’s Not Your Ears, It’s Your Brain (UMD release):

“Could you repeat that?” The reason you may have to say something twice when talking to older family members at Thanksgiving dinner may not be because of their hearing. Researchers at the University of Maryland have determined that something is going on in the brains of typical older adults that causes them to struggle to follow speech amidst background noise, even when their hearing would be considered normal on a clinical assessment.

In an interdisciplinary study published by the Journal of Neurophysiology, researchers Samira Anderson, Jonathan Z. Simon, and Alessandro Presacco found that adults aged 6…

Source: http://www.webmd.com/add-adhd/features/more-than-willpwer-adhd?src=RSS_PUBLIC

A WebMD reader shares how medication and a strong support system lead to her success.

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Source: http://www.webmd.com/children/features/make-shots-less-painful-baby?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Tips to soothe your little one and ease your stress during vaccinations.

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