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Mentor

Brain Health: Keeping your brain active

Posted by John, Volunteer Mentor @johnbishop, Jul 30, 2020

One of the things I really admired about my wife's mother was her humor and her really sharp wit even at the age of 90+. She lived with us for the last 7 or 8 years while she was alive. It was no secret how she kept her mental sharpness – she loved crossword puzzles and worked on various puzzles during the day. Crossword puzzles could be found laying around the house that she had started but not finished. Woe be to you if you penciled in any answers in one of her crossword puzzles. I occasionally like doing puzzles but they are not on my regular diet. My wife, much like her mother, loves doing crossword puzzles.

I recently ran across a free online lesson on How to Promote Brain Health from McMaster Optimal Aging Portal – How to Promote Brain Health: https://www.mcmasteroptimalaging.org/e-learning/how-to-promote-brain-health — Discover six ways you can promote brain health and reduce your risk of developing dementia.

What do you do to keep your brain healthy and active?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Aging Well Support Group.

randywhite | @randywhite | Apr 28, 2023

At our stage of Life, we can afford special freedoms. If we choose carefully, we can ‘step out’ as Bene Brown might say. This is written about me, hopefully it may snag attention and inspire ….
“Audacious fiercely undertakes, unprecedented and un-compromised challenges.   Boldly contesting assumptions and needless norms, with inspiration and creativity. There are contrarians, authoritarians, ogres and oligarchs meaning to marginalize him. But no one can ever trample the true, authentic, attitude of Audacious.   
Disdained by the devious, norm seeking, quiet, comfortable, and complacent. 
Loved by those courageous few, that really know him.  And his Leader.”
Do not be cowed into complacency and allow the weeds and trees to grow through your existence like that truck in the field. Be bold.

REPLY
misi | @misi | Apr 28, 2023
In reply to @thisismarilynb "I, too, am 88 years old. Right now is hard for me because my husband died...." + (show)
@thisismarilynb

I, too, am 88 years old. Right now is hard for me because my husband died. We were married for 59 years. Then a couple of months after I had to have a complete hip replacement. I have a wonderful therapist. So slowly, slowly I am getting better. I also read a lot and do crossword puzzles. I live independently in our home and can drive. Which is good because it is a 23 mile drive on the freeway to get to my doctors. My brain seems to be functioning well and most people are surprised to find out how old I am when they meet me. I base it on the fact that for many years I was a race walker. I worked until I was 67 years old. Then I went from race walking to walking. Exercise is crucial. I need to start walking again. My hip has healed enough so I can walk outside with a walker. The reason I continue to use the walker is because I am afraid of falling. That is the only time I use it. Inside I still feel young.

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It is so good to use the walker to ease the fear… I was in a straight leg brace for 5 months but walked ALL the time… I replaced the wheels on my walker with “off-road” walker wheels that are much bigger, with thick rubber tread and it made the walker so much easier on pavement … easy to replace the original wheels… just Google “off-road walker wheels”!

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bets38 | @bets38 | Apr 28, 2023
In reply to @pml "Hi bets38, I like to read 2 books at the same time also. It sounds like..." + (show)
@pml

Hi bets38,
I like to read 2 books at the same time also. It sounds like you are doing all the right things to stay alert and enjoy life at the same time! I'm 76 and my husband is 82. We both like to do 1000 piece jigsaw puzzles. My husband made a special table for them. It keeps your mind alert and concentrating. Plus it's very relaxing. We also like reading the newspaper online; mainly from different countries. You learn a lot about the country if you can especially find a small local newspaper. I found one in Bulgaria and discovered that English people were coming over to Bulgaria buying up property to retire on. The Bulgarians didn't like that and were very vocal about it. I also discovered that they sell my Grandad's favorite beer, Black Label in South Africa! They don't sell it in America anymore. If Grandad were still with us, he'd be very surprised that he'd have to go to South Africa to get his favorite beer!
PML

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Hi PML,
Thanks for the reply. Interesting and good for the two of you to work at the puzzle together.
My husband and I played Scrabble together at least once a week and more often during the pandemic. We were both very competitive, so it was good for our brain. He passed away 20 months ago so I have increased my reading time and made some new friends. It's interesting that you read foreign newspapers online. After retirement he took German at the University and had to read Speigel, a German newspaper. Because the news articles were objectively written he read it to me and continued long after the class assignment You have inspired me to pull it up online and start reading it. I find that reading two books simultaneously is good for my mind. I try to have one that is more educational--history biography or along that line and the other can be one for enjoyment.

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1 reply
bets38 | @bets38 | Apr 28, 2023
In reply to @thisismarilynb "I, too, am 88 years old. Right now is hard for me because my husband died...." + (show)
@thisismarilynb

I, too, am 88 years old. Right now is hard for me because my husband died. We were married for 59 years. Then a couple of months after I had to have a complete hip replacement. I have a wonderful therapist. So slowly, slowly I am getting better. I also read a lot and do crossword puzzles. I live independently in our home and can drive. Which is good because it is a 23 mile drive on the freeway to get to my doctors. My brain seems to be functioning well and most people are surprised to find out how old I am when they meet me. I base it on the fact that for many years I was a race walker. I worked until I was 67 years old. Then I went from race walking to walking. Exercise is crucial. I need to start walking again. My hip has healed enough so I can walk outside with a walker. The reason I continue to use the walker is because I am afraid of falling. That is the only time I use it. Inside I still feel young.

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Hi "thisismarilynb",
Good for you! Just keep trying. I love your determination and that's what it takes. My husband passed away 20 months ago, and I know it is an adjustment, but we both know that new challenges are good for us. Walking is good physically, mentally and emotionally for us. The fresh air, sunshine and body movement are all helpful . We notice things in nature that we might not otherwise observe, like birds, butterflies, ants, trees and flowers. Being sedentary is harmful. A good therapist is very helpful too. Your being cautious with the walker is smart. I'd say keep using it until you can go a little ways without it and then gradually increase the distance. At our age, it takes a bit longer. Living alone in your home and driving are good. It causes you to make decisions that the two of you made together before. I know from experience. I use the computer, I Pad and a new I Phone to communicate with my children and grandchildren. All of these things challenge my brain.

REPLY
pml | @pml | Apr 28, 2023
In reply to @bets38 "Hi PML, Thanks for the reply. Interesting and good for the two of you to work..." + (show)
@bets38

Hi PML,
Thanks for the reply. Interesting and good for the two of you to work at the puzzle together.
My husband and I played Scrabble together at least once a week and more often during the pandemic. We were both very competitive, so it was good for our brain. He passed away 20 months ago so I have increased my reading time and made some new friends. It's interesting that you read foreign newspapers online. After retirement he took German at the University and had to read Speigel, a German newspaper. Because the news articles were objectively written he read it to me and continued long after the class assignment You have inspired me to pull it up online and start reading it. I find that reading two books simultaneously is good for my mind. I try to have one that is more educational--history biography or along that line and the other can be one for enjoyment.

Jump to this post

Hi bets38,
I'm so sorry to hear that your husband passed away 20 months ago. It sounds like you are handling your life very well; albeit alone. I'm glad I could inspire you to read Speigel again! It's also interesting to look up grocery stores in different countries online. They are sometimes hard to find. You have to remember that they are often called Markets not grocery stores.

Reading two books is challenging but good for your mind. Actually I'm reading three because my husband and I are also reading the Bible cover to cover for the third time. We read a little each morning before we get up and pray at that time too. I had forgotten how the Philistines had put gold necklaces on their camels! It's in the book of Judges.
PML

REPLY
1 reply
pml | @pml | Apr 28, 2023
In reply to @parrot53 "Hello @pml I used to be a school media specialist and I found this site to..." + (show)
@parrot53

Hello @pml
I used to be a school media specialist and I found this site to help my students. It has all kinds of information to make you curious. Your interest in world newspapers made me remember it. Perhaps you would like it too.
https://refdesk.com/
Parrott53

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Hi Parrot53!
Thank you so much for this very interesting site! I briefly read through it and I can tell I'm going to enjoy it and learn a lot from it! I never realized that the Amish didn't get social security or government finance! And all the newspapers are fascinating! That will keep me very busy! I have a few links to world newspapers but nothing like what you've given me! Plus all the other interesting items. I was also glad to see Rick Steves mentioned on this site.
He's from Edmonds WA which is where I live. He has a travel store in Edmonds.

Your students were very fortunate to have a teacher like you!
Thank you again!
PML

REPLY
littleoaksc52 | @littleoaksc52 | Apr 29, 2023
In reply to @bets38 "I am an 85 year old female. I read the newspaper and am reading 2 different..." + (show)
@bets38

I am an 85 year old female. I read the newspaper and am reading 2 different books at a time (This keeps my mind busy and alert.) I also play Scrabble whenever the opportunity arises. I've also read that exercise helps the brain so I do that daily too.

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We think alike, Bets38. You don't have to wait for a Scrabble partner, just do Scrabble Solitaire on your phone with GooglePlay. I read one fiction and one non-fiction at the same time to help keep characters straight. If possible, try that exercise outdoors for fresh air to your brain. Hats off to you!

REPLY
2 replies
irinig | @irinig | Apr 29, 2023
In reply to @queenmother56 "Thank you! My interest in brain health has always been active and I do a lot..." + (show)
@queenmother56

Thank you!
My interest in brain health has always been active and I do a lot of reading on the subject.
But my youngest daughter (who lived with me age 58) passed away April 6th from a Glioblastoma Multiforme
brain tumor stage 4. It was too late when it was discovered even though she had surgery, radiation and chemo. So I am in deep grief but will keep following up on the research and comments so maybe I can help someone else discover it in time to save a life.

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I empathize. One of my best friends called me to tell me that in Good Friday her son never woke up. He was 46. God wherever he may be always works in mysterious ways. Thank you for sharing. Gratefully, Marianne

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irinig | @irinig | Apr 29, 2023
In reply to @littleoaksc52 "We think alike, Bets38. You don't have to wait for a Scrabble partner, just do Scrabble..." + (show)
@littleoaksc52

We think alike, Bets38. You don't have to wait for a Scrabble partner, just do Scrabble Solitaire on your phone with GooglePlay. I read one fiction and one non-fiction at the same time to help keep characters straight. If possible, try that exercise outdoors for fresh air to your brain. Hats off to you!

Jump to this post

I think the idea is not to I overconfuse the brain. The brain is a simple computer, the MOST perfect computer in the universe. We haven’t even begun to know/understand its capabilities. Gratefully, Marianne

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willows | @willows | Apr 29, 2023

Good for you, exercise is so important. I do what I am capable of. My aunt is 97 and all there mentally. She does crossword’s as well and exercises as best she can with severe arthritis.

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