Enhancing Cognitive Fitness in Adults : A Guide to the Use and Development of Community-Based Programs

Enhancing Cognitive Fitness in Adults A Guide for Use and Development of Community-Based Programs Paula E. Hartman-Stein and Asenath La Rue, editors One of the major milestones of aging research is the concept that dementia is not a one-cause, one-effect disorder. From this realization, scores of research-based cognitive wellness programs have been established alongside traditional medical interventions to help older adults deal with memory decline, cognitive deficits,and other signs of brain aging. __Enhancing Cognitive Fitness in Adults__ takes a wellness-support rather than a disease-based approach to its subject, presenting a wide range of promising interventions among the diversity that is currently being offered, from intergenerational volunteer programs, writing workshops, and multimedia strategies to meditation,biofeedback, nutrition, and exercise. Introductory chapters discuss the findings driving the cognitive-wellness movement, and the possible roles such programs may have in preserving critical brain resources, increasing cognitive flexibility, and avoiding devastating brain decline for improved quality of life in older adults. Areas of coverage include: * Research bases for cognitive wellness interventions. * Social programs designed to improve and sustain cognitive function. * Enhancing cognition through the arts and cultural activities. * Cognitive wellness interventions for adults with memory impairment. * Community-based programs with positive societal impact. A cogent survey of a growing field, __Enhancing Cognitive Fitness in Adults__ is a timely resource for professionals working toward this crucial goal,including clinical, health, and neuropsychologists, primary care physicians(e.g., geriatricians, internists, family physicians), and clinical social workers. Front Matter....Pages i-xxii Front Matter....Pages 1-1 Memory Enhancement Strategies: What Works Best for Obtaining Memory Goals?....Pages 3-23 Mental and Physical Exercise as a Means to Reverse Cognitive Aging and Enhance Well-Being....Pages 25-44 Consumer-Based Brain Fitness Programs....Pages 45-66 Synapse: A Clinical Trial Examining the Impact of Actively Engaging the Aging Mind....Pages 67-83 Meditation, Mindfulness, Cognition, and Emotion: Implications for Community-Based Older Adult Programs....Pages 85-104 Front Matter....Pages 105-105 Keys to a Sharp Mind: Providing Choice and Quality Programming in a Retirement Community....Pages 107-124 Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Montana: A Model of Successful University and Community Partnerships....Pages 125-136 Closing the Generation Gap: Using Discussion Groups to Benefit Older Adults and College Students....Pages 137-154 A Practical Guide to Senior Odyssey....Pages 155-168 Spelling Clubs and Competitions for Older Adults: Language Boosting Within a Social Context....Pages 169-182 Oral Life Review in Older Adults: Principles for the Social Service Professional....Pages 183-198 Creative Writing Groups: A Promising Avenue for Enhancing Working Memory and Emotional Well-Being....Pages 199-212 Peer-Led Memory Training Programs to Support Brain Fitness....Pages 213-229 Cognitive Wellness for Diverse Populations....Pages 231-238 The Role of Physical Activity in Cognitive Fitness: A General Guide for Community Programs....Pages 239-248 Nutrition and Nutritional Supplements to Promote Brain Health....Pages 249-269 Front Matter....Pages 271-271 Enhancing Healthy Cognitive Aging Through Theater Arts....Pages 273-283 Coming Alive: Kairos Dance Theatre’s Dancing HeartTM – Vital Elders Moving in Community....Pages 285-299 Art, Museums, and Culture....Pages 301-323 The Songwriting WorksTM Model: Enhancing Brain Health and Fitness Through Collaborative Musical Composition and Performance....Pages 325-358 Front Matter....Pages 359-359 Supporting Cognition and Well-Being in Older Adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Pilot Intervention....Pages 361-380 Early Memory Loss Clubs: A Novel Approach for Stimulating and Sustaining Cognitive Function....Pages 381-400 Implementing the “I’m Still Here”TM Approach: Montessori-Based Methods for Engaging Persons with Dementia....Pages 401-417 Kirtan Kriya Meditation: A Promising Technique for Enhancing Cognition in Memory-Impaired Older Adults....Pages 419-431 Brain Brightening: Neurotherapy for Enhancing Cognition in the Elderly....Pages 433-444 Front Matter....Pages 445-445 Neurons in Neighborhoods: How Purposeful Participation in a Community-based Intergenerational Program Enhanced Quality of Life for Persons Living with Dementia....Pages 447-467 Experience Corps ® : A Civic Engagement-Based Public Health Intervention in the Public Schools....Pages 469-487 Back Matter....Pages 489-499 Enhancing Cognitive Fitness in AdultsA Guide for Use and Development of Community-Based ProgramsPaula E. Hartman-Stein and Asenath La Rue, editorsOne of the major milestones of aging research is the concept that dementia is not a one-cause, one-effect disorder. From this realization, scores of research-based cognitive wellness programs have been established alongside traditional medical interventions to help older adults deal with memory decline, cognitive deficits, and other signs of brain aging. Enhancing Cognitive Fitness in Adults takes a wellness-support rather than a disease-based approach to its subject, presenting a wide range of promising interventions among the diversity that is currently being offered, from intergenerational volunteer programs, writing workshops, and multimedia strategies to meditation, biofeedback, nutrition, and exercise. Introductory chapters discuss the findings driving the cognitive-wellness movement, and the possible roles such programs may have in preserving critical brain resources, increasing cognitive flexibility, and avoiding devastating brain decline for improved quality of life in older adults. Areas of coverage include:Research bases for cognitive wellness interventions. Social programs designed to improve and sustain cognitive function. Enhancing cognition through the arts and cultural activities. Cognitive wellness interventions for adults with memory impairment.Community-based programs with positive societal impact. A cogent survey of a growing field, Enhancing Cognitive Fitness in Adults is a timely resource for professionals working toward this crucial goal, including clinical, health, and neuropsychologists, primary care physicians(e.g., geriatricians, internists, family physicians), and clinical social workers "One of the major milestones of aging research is the concept that dementia is not a one-cause, one-effect disorder. From this realization, scores of research-based cognitive wellness programs have been established alongside traditional medical interventions to help older adults deal with memory decline, cognitive deficits, and other signs of brain aging. Enhancing Cognitive Fitness in Adults takes a wellness-support rather than a disease-based approach to its subject, presenting a wide range of promising interventions among the diversity that is currently being offered, from intergenerational volunteer programs, writing workshops, and multimedia strategies to meditation, biofeedback, nutrition, and exercise. Introductory chapters discuss the findings driving the cognitive-wellness movement, and the possible roles such programs may have in preserving critical brain resources, increasing cognitive flexibility, and avoiding devastating brain decline for improved quality of life in older adults. Areas of coverage include: research bases for cognitive wellness interventions, social programs designed to improve and sustain cognitive function, enhancing cognition through the arts and cultural activities, cognitive wellness interventions for adults with memory impairment, community-based programs with positive societal impact. A cogent survey of a growing field, Enhancing Cognitive Fitness in Adults is a timely resource for professionals working toward this crucial goal, including clinical, health, and neuropsychologists, primary care physicians(e.g., geriatricians, internists, family physicians), and clinical social workers."--Publisher's website Late life is characterized by great diversity in memory and other cognitive functions. Although a substantial proportion of older adults suffer from Alzheimer's disease or another form of dementia, a majority retain a high level of cognitive skills throughout the life span. Identifying factors that sustain and enhance cognitive well-being is a growing area of original and translational research. In 2009, there are as many as 5.2 million Americans living with Alzheimer's disease, and that figure is expected to grow to as many as 16 million by 2050. One in six women and one in 10 men who live to be at least age 55 will develop Alzheimer's disease in their remaining lifetime. Approximately 10 million of the 78 million baby boomers who were alive in 2008 can expect to develop Alzheimer's disease. Seventy percent of people with Alzheimer's disease live at home, cared for by family and friends. In 2008, 9.8 million family members, friends, and neighbors provided unpaid care for someone with Alzheimer's disease or another form of dementia. The direct costs to Medicare and Medicaid for care of people with Alzheimer's disease amount to more than $148 billion annually (from Alzheimer's Association, 2008 Alzheimer's Disease Facts and Figures). This book will highlight the research foundations behind brain fitness interventions as well as showcase innovative community-based programs to maintain and promote mental fitness and intervene with adults with cognitive impairment. The emphasis is on illustrating the nuts and bolts of setting up and utilizing cognitive health programs in the community, not just the laboratory.