By: Dr. Rob Winningham, PhD There are many well-documented reasons to get more physical activity, including reducing the chance of stroke, heart disease, or diabetes. Physical activity can also help mitigate depression, mood disorders and improve sleep. However, physical exercise has also been linked to improved cognitive abilities, including the ability to stay focused and make new memories. What types […]
By: Danielle Palli “Use it or lose it,” is Eleanor Gordon’s response when asked why she regularly attends the Brain Boosters class, now in its fourth year at Someren Glen (a Lifeplan Community). “Dementia runs rampant in my family tree,” she told the Mosaic. “I started to notice slight memory impairment in myself and joined the class.” Since then, she […]
By: Dr. Roger Landry, MD, MPH Most of what they told us in medical school about the brain . . . was wrong! Back then, the prevailing belief was that once we reached physical maturity, our brains ceased to make new brain tissue. We thought that aging gradually depleted the neurons of our brains, leading to dementia. Fortunately, that is […]
By: Dr. Rob Winningham I am frequently asked the question “What is the difference between dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease?” The answer is quite simple: Alzheimer’s Disease is simply a type of dementia, actually the most common type of dementia. There are many different types of dementia, but the majority of cases are probably of the Alzheimer’s type. As you probably […]
Dr. Rob Winningham We all have different levels of social needs; but, recent research has shown that satisfying those varying levels of social needs can be good for our health. We know that people who rate the quality of their social support networks as being better are actually less likely to have all sorts of medical conditions. For example, social […]
“It’s all about executive functioning,” shared Dr. Rob Winningham, Director of the Masterpiece Academy and full professor at Western Oregon University, during a presentation on dual-tasking. Executive functioning is all about attention, inhibition, reasoning, problem solving, planning and memory. And, according to research, it can be improved through physical exercise. Dr. Winningham’s co-presenter, Board Certified Clinical Specialist in Neurological Physical […]
Brain Awareness Week runs March 12-18. The brain is the most complex organ in the human body, and there’s still much to learn about it. We do know that brain health is affected by many factors, such as mental stimulation, diet, exercise and socialization. What are you doing to support better brain health this week?
By: Dr. Rob Winningham, PhD We have all heard about the evidence that the more we exercise our brains, the less likely we are to have problems with memory and cognition as we get older. It has been challenging for many people to find access to good cognitive exercise in the past. But now, anyone who has access to an […]
The Masterpiece Academy was formed in 2008 to provide expert guidance, research and education to the rapidly changing field of aging. The Academy brings cutting edge information on successful aging to all audiences and is dedicated to keeping its partners current and informed. Academy educators are recognized leaders from the academic, health and business fields that include preventive medicine, gerontology, data and […]
“Merry Stressmas!” It should come as no surprise to learn that the holiday season (November through December) is often considered the sixth most stressful life event. Of people surveyed in a national study, 65% admitted to being anxious during the holidays, and 45% would rather skip it altogether. What can we do when the “most wonderful time of the year” […]