Staying Sharp Booklets

Source: AARP.org | April 10, 2006

Keep your brain in top condition with these insights from Staying Sharp, information on the most recent advances in brain studies brought to you by NRTA: AARP’s Educator Community and the Dana Alliance for Brain Initiatives. Printing and distribution of the Staying Sharp booklets, in English and Spanish, is supported by a generous grant from MetLife Foundation.

Quality of Life

Modern medicine has extended our life span and is now rewriting the old rules of aging. More of us are living longer and want to live life to the fullest, no matter what our age. How much of the aging process is "normal" and how much can we do to improve our quality of life as we get older? Find out more about "cognitive fitness" and what brain research can tell us about the characteristics of successful brain aging

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Memory Loss and Aging

Memory and forgetting are perfectly normal, and essential, parts of everyday life. But what happens when we get older? Is memory loss inevitable; is it an early sign of Alzheimer’s? Learn more about what we can do to preserve our memory and other mental abilities as we age.

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Depression

Many people mistakenly believe that depression is normal for older people and that little can be done about it. Depression may be more common among older people, but it is not an inevitable part of aging. Depression is a serious medical disorder with biological causes that can be treated effectively in most people. Find our more about depression as we age and what can be done.

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Chronic Health Issues

Although the rate of disability among older adults is dropping, half of all Americans live with at least one chronic health problem. For more than one third of Americans, chronic (long-lasting or recurring) illness takes the form of a brain disorder most often caused by stroke, head injury or degeneration of brain cells. Understanding the "what, when, why, and how" of your illness can help you manage your symptoms, make appropriate life adjustments and regain control of your life.

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Learning Throughout Life

The human brain is a learning machine. But do we learn the same no matter our age? Recent advances in brain research offer good news for anyone interested in maintaining brain health for a lifetime of learning. Learning Through Life provides you with important information to help you rev up your brain for learning.

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