ChangingAging.org

If you have been following the blog for a while you know that I like mashups…

This mashup is a collision between a German film director and a child’s storybook.

Ageing alert!

Every year in  February, in Switzerland, there is the day when
7500 sirens are tested to remind people how they sound and how one should
react in case of water- fire or other emergencies of local or
national scale.

The government had three funny TV spots produced, worth watching
even if the
language is German so people would not panic if they hear the sirens.

Overhearing conversations on trains and busses I get the
impression that many people are very surprised that suddenly, one day, they are
“old”. I have seen this as early as 45 years in some friends also. Maybe
we should have somebody produce (witty) TV-spots to remind us not to panic
when we realise that we are “old”. It is just a reminder to think how to
react, or better pro-act in order to grow within this mature phase of our
lives and how to mentor the younger generations.

Does the village of Ballabgarh, India hold the key to preventing
dementia?

Researchers have found a much lower than expected rate of
dementia among residents of this northern Indian village. While
one might expect that people don’t live as long in rural India
on average as we do, the discrepancy holds even when taking this
factor into account.

Over 5000 people were tested there by doctors from the
University of Pittsburgh to look for clues to this phenomenon.
They carry the same proportion of the APO4E gene as do Americans
in Pennsylvania.

But guess what? They are all very physically active, eat low-fat
and/or vegetarian diets, and obesity is unheard of in
Ballabgarh. So once again, we have learned something we already
know: Eat well and exercise. There is also a very strong social
structure, another factor shown to improve health and
well-being.

With many, if not most, cases of dementia likely to have a
subtle vascular component, this revelation should come as no
surprise. Healthy living is, as always, the best key to healthy
aging.

Al Power, my friend and co-blogger has a new book out. Dementia Beyond Drugs is a groundbreaking work that will rattle the foundations of conventional wisdom on dementia.

Buy his book

In the spirit of Dementia Beyond Drugs, Al offers us a look at the relationship between diet, exercise and community in Indian– the community of Ballabgarh has a substantially lower risk of dementia compared with America.

Why?

I’ll let Al take it from here.

Does the village of Ballabgarh, India hold the key to preventing dementia?

Researchers have found a much lower than expected rate of dementia among residents of this northern Indian village. While one might expect that people don’t live as long in rural India on average as we do, the discrepancy holds even when taking this factor into account.

Over 5000 people were tested there by doctors from the University of Pittsburgh to look for clues to this phenomenon. They carry the same proportion of the APO4E gene as do Americans in Pennsylvania.

But guess what? They are all very physically active, eat low-fat and/or vegetarian diets, and obesity is unheard of in Ballabgarh. So once again, we have learned something we already know: Eat well and exercise. There is also a very strong social structure, another factor shown to improve health and well-being.

With many, if not most, cases of dementia likely to have a subtle vascular component, this revelation should come as no surprise. Healthy living is, as always, the best key to healthy aging.

I spent a nice day with the folks from Trinity Health in Detroit and had the opportunity to get the opinion of their chief medical officer, Dr. Terrance O’Rourke, on the recent controversy over federal mammogram recommendations. I captured our conversation on video via my iPhone:

Learning from The Brits – be aware of age discrimination

From 2004 to 2006 I had the privilege of living in England, I
learned a lot about the culture, their openness to discuss difficult topics and their willingness to diminish inequality. I saw many good examples of empowerment of women, ethnic minorities, older workers and immigrants. Here is one more example:

The Equality Bill, published on 27 April 2009, will make it
unlawful to discriminate against someone aged 18 or over because of age when providing services or carrying out public functions.

The Centre for Policy on Ageing has produced five literature
based reviews in 2007 and 2009 to look for evidence of age discrimination in health and social care services in the UK.

They are:
· Ageism and age discrimination in secondary health care in the UK
(2009)
· Ageism and age discrimination in primary and community health care in the UK (2009)
· Ageism and age discrimination in mental health care in the UK
(2009)
· Ageism and age discrimination in social care in the UK (2009)

· The likely costs and benefits of legislation to prohibit age
discrimination in health, social care and mental health services
and definitions of age discrimination that might be operationalized
for measurement (2007)

The reviews, commissioned by the Department of Health to support
its activities to root out age discrimination, collate evidence of
some direct but mostly indirect, covert discrimination affecting the quality and range of services available to older people.

The five reviews are freely available to download from the CPA website

When Jude and I were running the farm the old-timers taught us that you should have half of your hay and half of your firewood left on February 2nd.

The day marks the midpoint between the spring equinox and winter solstice and people have been paying close attention to this day for a very long time.

In particular, there is an interesting parallel between the Celtic holiday of Imbolc and the Groundhog day we all love (hate).

Oh and don’t forget the movie.

Imbolc is the day Cailleach (the Creatrix) gathers her firewood for the rest of the winter. Legend has it that if she intends to make the winter last a good while longer, she will make sure the weather on Imbolc is bright and sunny, so she can gather plenty of firewood. Therefore, people are generally relieved if Imbolc is a day of foul weather, as it means the Cailleach is asleep and winter is almost over.^[16

Groundhog Day is an annual holiday celebrated on February 2.  According to folklore, if a groundhog emerging from its burrow on this day fails to see its shadow, it will leave the burrow, signifying that winter will soon end. If on the other hand, the groundhog sees its shadow, the groundhog will supposedly retreat into its burrow, and winter will continue for six more weeks.^[1]

There is a very small group of people with virtually unlimited resources and an intense need to perpetuate their youth. Among them are the classic rock stars of the 60’s and 70’s. These celebrities have both the means and the motive to make use of the most advanced and effective anti-aging technology available on the planet.

If anti-aging claims were true and valid we could expect these aging rock stars to stay young or at least much younger than the rest of us schlubs.

Let’s run a test case with the lead singer of the Rolling Stones.

Here is Mick Jagger near the start of his career– already rich and famous!!

Hey You--- Get off of my cloud!

Remember, every conceivable lotion, injection, potion and miracle cure for aging has been available to this man, every year of his adult life. He’s a rock star— youth is his business, his personal brand, the epicenter of his wealth and fame.

Drum roll please…

Not Even 66 Yet

Based on the results of this test, I’d like to suggest that, what ever promises might be made on their behalf, anti-aging technologies do not “stop or reverse aging.”

I’d also guess that Mick Jagger’s mirror agrees.

Is it more proper to say, “My new book is out”, or “My new book
is in”? In any event, it’s now available.
Here (attached pdf) are some kind comments about the book from
people I admire greatly.

“Allen Power’s new book, Dementia Beyond Drugs: Changing the Culture of Care, has just stripped you of your last excuse for not
 understanding what it takes to bring about real culture change within residential care settings while at the same time reducing the
 administration of psychotropic drugs. He has answers for questions you’ve had about assisting people living with dementia. Al’s grasp
of the subject is comprehensive and his style of communicating is informative, accessible, and inspiring. If you implement the information
 that Al suggests, you can be the person you’ve always wanted to be when assisting others living with dementia. He’s one of the best guides
out there on the pathway to understanding care that treats individuals with dementia with the personal attention, respect, and dignity they
 deserve.”
-Carol Ende, Executive Director of Eden Alternative

“Allen Power is my kind of physician — one who understands the research and who has a big heart. Drawing on years of experience,
 he presents a compelling case for eliminating the vast majority of antipsychotic medications used to treat unpleasant symptoms of dementia.
 Family members and caregivers will embrace his compassionate, relationship-based approach. Dementia Beyond Drugs should be required reading
for every long-term care provider.”
-Beth Baker, Journalist and Author of Old Age in a New Age – The Promise of Transformative Nursing Homes

“This extremely important book directs our attention to the virtue and value of engaging individuals with dementia as people rather than
as cases to be managed with drugs. Dr. Power’s deep appreciation of how a humane environment can help persons with dementia to flourish
 rather than to wither should be required reading for all involved with residential care.”
-Steven R. Sabat, PhD, Georgetown University

Dementia Beyond Drugs: Changing the Culture of Care is a totally engaging book that clearly illustrates the restorative effects of humane care
 in combination with advances in modern medicine. Dr. Al Power makes a compelling case for deep system change, where knowing the person is
 paramount in our approach to compassionate elder care.
-Rose Marie Fagan, Co-Founder, Pioneer Network

“This book is groundbreaking, courageous and awesome, representing a new milestone in dementia care. Dr G. Allen Power dares to challenge the
 current paradigm and urges readers to walk the walk of culture change, creating a better world for people with dementia. This thoroughly
researched, practical and deeply compassionate book is a must for all working in the field of dementia.”
-Hilary Lee, MSc, OTR, Chair, The Society for the Arts in Dementia Care (Australia) Inc.

“Al Power has authored a book that fills an enormous gap in our understanding of how we, as individual caregivers and as a society,
can improve the care for those with dementia. Written with his characteristic directness, warmth, and compassion, these pages are filled
with new insights and clues as to how to avoid dangerous drug therapy and restore dignity and comfort to these individuals. This book will be
 a landmark in geriatrics and has something of value to family caregivers and seasoned physicians as well.”
-William J. Hall, MD, Paul Fine Professor of Medicine, Director, Center for Healthy Aging, University of Rochester School of Medicine,
Rochester, NY

“Using story after powerful story to reveal the shortcomings of a biomedical approach to care, Dr. Power has helped us open our eyes to a
new way of viewing those living with dementia. We have created worlds where our elders with dementia do not want to be, then medicated them
to keep them there. Dr. Power’s “Experiential Model” offers us a viable and humanistic alternative to caring for those with dementia.
This model challenges care providers to not only open their eyes, but to also see the beauty and potential of the human spirit that remains. Our elders living with dementia are our greatest teachers and Dr. Power has been an exceptional student. He has learned their lessons well and, in this important book, now shares them with us. I hope we are ready and willing to learn.”
-Nancy A. Fox, Chief Life Enhancement Officer, Pinon Management

For those who have pre-ordered, thank you, thank you. It will be
on its way very soon. To find out where I’ll be speaking next,
check in periodically on the “schedule” page at www.alpower.net.

Every now and then I run into a post that provides common sense information on the subject of wrinkles. Common sense, alas, never has been especially common especially when the topic is loaded with emotional depth-charges the way wrinkles are.

What are free radicals and how do they affect the condition of my skin?
Free radicals are created as an essential part of life when food is oxidized to create energy. During the process, free radicals are produced that are highly charged oxygen molecules and are harmful to the skin and the body in general. They are usually neutralized by antioxidants like vitamins C, E, etc. However, when the body is overwhelmed by free radicals, they overcome the antioxidants available, which may lead to wrinkling on the skin and may also be associated with precancerous and cancerous skin legions. The most common causes of free radicals are excess sun, smoking, stress and obesity. The best way to fight free radicals is with natural antioxidants, as well as topical antioxidant creams or lotions.

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