Today’s Topic: Memory Fitness

1. Sponsored by the National Council on Aging and IlluminAge Healthy Aging Briefing Series WELCOME Today’s Topic: Memory Fitness Today’s session is full. To access the audio portion of this call please dial: (866) 740-1260 PIN code: 4796622 If you receive a message indicating that the conference is full, please dial this alternative number: (888) 209 3797 (for this line, a PIN is not needed) Personal introductions are not necessaryThe moderator will be on the line shortly

2. Aging in America Conference March 15-19, 2009 – Las Vegas! Hurry! The deadline to register at the early bird rate is January 23, 2009! Join and/or register now for maximum savings! RENEW OR JOIN AS AN ORGANIZATIONAL MEMBER FOR $100 –Save $95! OR RENEW OR JOIN AS AN INDIVDUAL MEMBER FOR $75 – Save $20! By joining or renewing your NCOA Membership at this special discounted rate, you will not only save money off membership fees, but will also save you hundreds of dollars off conference registration fees! An Organizational Membership provides benefits for five (5) people from the same organization – including conference discounts! To Take Advantage of this special Offer, call NCOA Membership Services at: 800-373-4906 and mention the campaign: WEBINAR For more information on the Aging in America conference please visit: www.agingconference.org

3. WAYS TO HELP BOOST MEMORY FITNESS EDUCATION • to increase awareness • to understand the process of making changes • to empower them to state their needs • to provide templates for suggested changes • to link with resources at a level they can access • to create brain health programs • to encourage early interventions

4. INFORMATION • TYPES OF MEMORY • Short term, immediate, working vs long term memory • Implications for safety and quality of life • CHANGES WITH • hearing loss • normal aging • stress • lifestyle choices • life in the 21st century

5. NORMAL AGING • More difficulty thinking of words • Main complaint • Slower to process information • What modifications need to be made • Start to decrease participation • Slower to learn new information • Evaluate your approach • Educate your speakers • Provide printed material • Trouble multitasking • Evaluate your program presentation

6. Depression Pain Grief Worry Boredom Anger Stress Hurrying Multitasking Overload Poor lifestyle choices Thyroid problems Medications Dehydration Urinary tract infection Anesthesia Normal pressure hydrocephalus Hormone changes Low blood sugar Vitamin deficiency Isolation REVERSIBLE CAUSES OF MEMORY LOSS

7. DEMENTIA • What is the difference between dementia and Alzheimer’s disease? • What are the many causes of dementia? • What are some of the risk factors? • How can you prevent dementia? • With people living longer, may be less clear cut diagnosis.

8. Being proactive Medical resources Financial planning Transportation options Communication modification Planning Residence Safety concerns Resources Family dynamics Quality of life IMPORTANCE OF EARLY DIAGNOSIS

9. OBSERVATIONS • Fear of Alzheimer’s disease – all ages • Younger people complaining of memory • Adults with family members with memory loss needing guidance • Workplace issues • Looking for a quick fix – food, vitamins, brain games • Need for awareness of basics for memory fitness

10. HOLISTIC APPROACH • Begins with attitude - it al starts here • Creating the right health care team • Hearing and vision status • Assessment of listening, focus and ability to pay attention • Lifestyle choices – sleep, exercise, nutrition • Stress management

11. CURRENT ROUTINE FOR BRAIN HEALTH • Organization patterns • Memory strategies • Current approach to memory fitness • Upgrading brain health programs • Modification needed to reflect education, current memory status and support system • Socialization opportunities

12. FOR THE FUTURE • Community education • Multigenerational education • Brain health • One size does not fit all • Different types of groups • Day care program for high level functioning Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going.JIM RYUH

13. Resources • Memory Fitness Toolkit now includes Brain Teasers (100 activities) • Online memory fitness program - 2 part series • Podcasts, interviews, articles, newsletters, brain game resource and more…. • Private consultations, staff training, memory fitness programs available. • Sign up for the quarterly email newsletters. If you would like to incorporate some of my information from previous issues in your newsletter, please send me an email.

14. Additional resources • For those walking with journey with a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease there is a podcast on my website. In addition there has recently been released, Mother Stories,where I contributed a chapter about the gift in the journey with my mom and her Alzheimer’s disease. It can be ordered through Amazon.com. Author Carole Ann Drick • Refer to seminars for CE programs. Specializing in programs for emergency responders, realtors, physicians, health care providers, nursing assistants, activity professionals, volunteers, non-medical home companions, faith communities and hospice providers. www.connectionsincommunication.comwww.memoryfitnessmatters.com kathy@connectionsincommunication.com

15. QUESTIONS?

16. Don’t Forget Your Free Copy of Aging in Stride NCOA and Caresource are pleased to offer first-time registrants for this Healthy Aging Briefing Series a complimentary copy of the book, Aging in Stride, which includes the new supplement Just In Case: Emergency Readiness for Older Adults and Caregivers. To receive your copy, please visitwww.AgingInStride.org/NCOAoffer. Or just email service@caresource.com with your name, title, organization, mailing address, phone number, and date of the Briefing you participated in. One free copy per registrant, please.

17. Aging in America Conference March 15-19, 2009 – Las Vegas! Hurry! The deadline to register at the early bird rate is January 23, 2009! Join and/or register now for maximum savings! RENEW OR JOIN AS AN ORGANIZATIONAL MEMBER FOR $100 –Save $95! OR RENEW OR JOIN AS AN INDIVDUAL MEMBER FOR $75 – Save $20! By joining or renewing your NCOA Membership at this special discounted rate, you will not only save money off membership fees, but will also save you hundreds of dollars off conference registration fees! An Organizational Membership provides benefits for five (5) people from the same organization – including conference discounts! To Take Advantage of this special Offer, call NCOA Membership Services at: 800-373-4906 and mention the campaign: WEBINAR For more information on the Aging in America conference please visit: www.agingconference.org