Understanding Brain Health: AARP’s Insights on Staying Sharp

Exploring the Essentials of Brain Health

Adrian Allotey takes social interactions seriously. Alongside her commitments to family and friends, she regularly partakes in dinners with six other individuals from her community in Middlesex County, all of whom she has never met before.

Allotey, whose professional focus is on assisting patients with dementia and other conditions as an elder care doula, states, ‘It’s just about meeting people and discovering what you have in common while indulging in great conversation.’

Upcoming Webinars on Brain Health

As a part of her endeavor to promote brain health, Allotey will lead one of the two “Brain Health 101” webinars scheduled for Wednesday, April 9. The sessions, which are free of charge and supported by AARP New Jersey, will elaborate on AARP’s Six Pillars of Brain Health.

The foundation of these pillars includes being social, exercising, managing stress, engaging the mind, obtaining restorative sleep, and maintaining nutritious eating habits.

These sessions will occur from noon to 1 p.m. and again from 7 to 8 p.m. and will provide insights into the latest scientific understanding of brain health, emphasizing how lifestyle choices can preserve cognitive function throughout life.

Empowering Cognitive Awareness

Allotey aspires to inspire individuals to evaluate the aspects of their lives that they can manage to enhance cognitive health. ‘I hope these presentations empower individuals to acknowledge their ability to manage cognitive wellness,’ she adds.

The April webinars are part of a series of discussions hosted by AARP New Jersey, scheduled bi-monthly throughout the year, focusing on various topics including fraud prevention, downsizing, and caretaking.

Insights from Experts

Curt Springstead, 72, a volunteer with AARP and co-chair of the Speakers Bureau, indicates that discussions about brain health begin with recent advancements in the understanding of brain plasticity. ‘The notion that the brain simply deteriorates with age has shifted; it possesses the ability to adapt and grow,’ he remarks.

‘In fact, your brain keeps growing until you’re gone,’ he explains. ‘We can now encourage practices that promote optimal brain function for an extended period.’

For More Information

To find details about this and upcoming brain health sessions, visit aarp.org/nj and click on Events.