Viewing art reduces risk of mortality
If there ever was a good reason to cultivate a habit of museum going, this is one! The English Longitudinal Study of Ageing compared self reported receptive arts engagement (going to museums, art galleries, exhibitions, the theatre, concerts, or the opera) with mortality. The researchers found that people who engaged with receptive arts activities on an infrequent basis (once or […]
Read more →How does your reading style fit in with this survey of the different generations’ habits?
A long infographic, but worth it for the entertainment value. Enlarge the image and see how your reading preferences fit in with others!
Read more →Be kind to humankind week!
Be Kind to Humankind Week is an annual celebration of kindness held on August 25-31 each year. It is a time to reflect on what we can do in order to make the world a better place for everyone!! Each day of the week has a particular theme. Read more about the movement and the week here. The Days Sacrifice […]
Read more →Celebrate the International Day of Friendship!
At every age, friendships are essential! I’ve learned over the years that some friends come into my life for a short time whereas others interweave their paths with mine throughout many years. Both types of friendship are valuable, and the sadness that I feel when a friend and I drift apart makes the long-lasting relationships even more poignant and important. […]
Read more →Funding longevity
Part of Stanford University’s Lifestyle Medicine Initiative, the Funding Longevity project examines ways to improve retirement security. A two part video introduces the work. Part 1 Part 2
Read more →Intergenerational dinner parties over video calls
The Youth Movement Against Alzheimer’s organization recently created the MealsTogether program to, in their words, “add flavor to social distancing!” Diners are matched via the program and at the allotted time, log in to the video calling service and eat a meal at the same time as their companion. Find out more and get involved!
Read more →A lifetime of purpose
The Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley writes about the waxing and waning of purpose across and throughout the different stages of life. It’s no bad thing, either, to have different purposes at different times. As author Kira M. Newman says in the article, “Like happiness, purpose is not a destination, but a journey and a practice.” Researchers see […]
Read more →Habitat for Humanity helping seniors with home repairs
As reported by Diane Eastabrook in Next Avenue, a number of Habitat for Humanity chapters have begun helping seniors repair and maintain the safety of their homes. The organization’s Aging in Place program often goes far beyond simple home repairs and connects vulnerable citizens with the agencies and resources to help them “remain in their homes with comfort and dignity.” […]
Read more →Covid-19 and older people: resources
A great list of resources from the International Federation on Ageing with recordings of Town Hall meetings and downloadable information sheets.
Read more →Decade of Healthy Aging
Welcome to the beginning of the Decade of Healthy Aging! Currently interrupted by the global coronavirus pandemic. A campaign by the World Health Organization (WHO), the plan is for “10 years of concerted, catalytic, sustained collaboration.” As more people live past the age of 60, there is little evidence that overall health outcomes have risen at the same rate. Inequities […]
Read more →Combating ageism
The International Federation on Ageing recently wrote that “some of the most important barriers to effective public health policy on healthy ageing are misconceptions, negative attitudes and assumptions about older people.” The World Health Organization’s Global Strategy and Action Plan on Ageing and Health recognizes that achieving healthy ageing will be dependent on our ability to combat ageism. Let’s all […]
Read more →Raise your IQ at any age
Researchers from the University of Zurich have found an interesting way to raise anyone’s IQ at any age. How? By learning to play a musical instrument! The study found that playing music can raise an IQ by seven or more points. The work supports the increasing body of work examining ways in which the brain continues to flex, grow and […]
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