Tag results for: brain

Brain Fitness After 50

Category: Season 5

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Dr. Ann Kolanowski

Professor of Psychiatry at the College of Medicine, Penn State University

Dr. Kolanowski has published over 140 papers on cognitive impairments in scientific journals. She is a fellow in the American Academy of Nursing and the Gerontological Society of America, and the founding director of the Hartford Center of Geriatric Nursing Excellence at Penn State University.

Are certain activities more stimulating for our brains? Are there things we should avoid? Dr. Ann Kolanowski will discuss brain health and what individuals can do to keep our brains healthy. Learn tips and techniques for what you can do to keep your brain functioning at higher levels as you age.

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Memory As We Age

Category: Season 5

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Dr. Nancy Dennis

Associate Professor. Department of Psychology, The Pennsylvania State University

Dr. Nancy Dennis directs the Cognitive Aging and Neuroimaging Lab (CANLab) in the Psychology Department at Penn State University. Her work focuses on understanding how memory changes in aging and ways we can ameliorate memory decline in older adults. She uses brain imaging technology to identify neural markers of memory processes with an emphasis on understanding how to maintain memory performance across the lifespan.

By 2050, roughly 83.7 million individuals in the U.S. will be over the age of 65. Within this population, memory declines are at the forefront of age-related cognitive complaints. The negative impacts of memory failures in older adults can range from emotional distress and embarrassment to potentially life-threatening outcomes, especially when the memory error involves important health and safety information. Dr. Dennis will discuss both stability and decline in various types of memory in aging. She will also describe methods for improving memory across the lifespan.

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Video Games & Health Benefits for Seniors

Category: Season 7

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Michael Sommerville, Jr.

Communications Specialist Center for Positive Aging in Lower Merion (PALM)

Mr. Sommerville has been programming computers since the age of 5 and was introduced to gaming at the age of 10. Honing his skills and earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Sciences, Mike would later become an Applications Developer creating business and educational computer programs as well as his own video games.

Video games have become a beautiful art of expression as well as a fun activity for all ages! While they have long been the topic of debate and speculation did you know that video games can help improve many aspects of your health? Gaming is no longer regarded as solely a child’s activity or a waste of time. Find out how today’s video game can offer benefits for everyone-especially seniors!
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Is It Normal Aging or Signs of Dementia?

Category: Season 8

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Lynn James, MS, RDN, LDN, Senior Extension Educator with Penn State Extension

Lynn James provides educational programs for organizations and the community on improving nutrition, health, and
food safety. Her program focus is community nutrition research and program development in food and culture, family
chronic disease prevention, Type 2 Diabetes, and food safety.

Sara Murphy, Vice President for Programs and Services for the Greater PA Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association

Sara Murphy has a BS in nutrition/wellness, and experience in intergenerational programming and her certificate in
gerontology. Sara has worked in the long-term care industry with all levels of care from independent living residents to
memory care prior to her work with the Association.

Alzheimer’s and other dementias cause memory, thinking, and behavior problems that interfere with daily living. This program will help you to recognize common signs of Alzheimer’s and other dementias, learn about typical age-related changes. You’ll also receive tips on how to approach someone about memory concerns.

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The Four Ms of Age Friendly Care

Category: Season 8

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Jenny Knecht-Fredo, Advanced Care Practitioner

Jenny earned a dual master’s degree in Family Nurse Practitioner Studies and Nursing Education from The Pennsylvania State University. Jenny has extensive experience in geriatrics, endocrinology, hospice, wellness health evaluations, and clinical instruction. Jenny is passionate about patient empowerment and clinical policy development to improve geriatric health outcomes.

A movement to create Age-Friendly Health Systems is underway in the United States. The goal is to create health systems that ensure every older adult receives the best care possible, is not harmed by care, and is satisfied with the care they receive. Using the 4Ms framework brings focus to What Matters, Medication, Mental Activity, and Mobility. When put into practice, this framework can help you manage your health in ways that are unique to you. 

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Road to Happiness – Understanding Depression

Category: Season 9

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Claire Kuzmicki, BSPH

Claire works for the Montgomery County Pennsylvania Office of Senior Services as a Program Specialist. One of her main job responsibilities is to develop and deliver Health and Wellness Programming to the Senior Community. Claire is trained in several programs designed to manage depression and respond appropriately to mental health crises.

Depression is a medical condition that affects many older adults, but depression is not a normal part of growing older. This presentation examines factors that put seniors at an increased risk of depression, explains how to detect depressive symptoms and reveals methods that help those affected begin to feel like themselves again.

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Art Lessons on Demand

Category: Season 9

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Jamie Dunlap

Chief of Creative Catalysts and Lifelong Learning, Pennsylvania Council on the Arts

Catherine Richmond-Cullen, Ed.D

President of neuroLEARN, LLC

The Academy for Creative Aging’s Lessons on Demand track provides individuals and groups with the opportunity to explore and enjoy the web site’s complete video catalog. Lessons on Demand aims to provide users with an entertaining and stimulating creative resource, including videos on Indian classical dance, how to create a still-life self-portrait, storytelling through theatre, and jazz singing fundamentals.

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