MAY 7, 2014 WEST NEWSMAGAZINE
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age might be a reflection of physical activity in midlife. According to a study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, strenuous, on-the-job activity in midlife increases the risk of limited mobility in old age, likely because heavy, repetitive physical labor performed for several hours a day wears on the body. Conversely, leisure-time activity in midlife is associated with better mobility in old age because it improves fitness and usually lasts for only an hour or two. Professor Taina Rantanen, who led the study, said people who do heavy manual labor in midlife might be able to counteract its detrimental effects by participating also in brisk physical activity during leisure time.
I MATURE FOCUS I 45
Lee Berk said in a Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology press release. “Humor reduces detrimental stress hormones like cortisol. … The act of laughter – or simply enjoying some humor – increases the release of endorphins and dopamine in the brain, which provides a sense of pleasure and reward.” According to Berk, those changes in the brain strengthen memory and recall. The study did not definitively demonstrate that laughter decreases memory loss, but it did show an association between the two.
Memory care neighborhood complete Dolan Memory Care Homes recently opened its ninth household – Lyon – marking the completion of Les Maisons, an innovative West County “memory neighThe best medicine borhood” for those with Alzheimer’s disLaughter may be powerful medicine ease and dementia-related disorders. after all, at least for elderly individuals The Les Maisons neighborhood features who are at risk for memory loss. four homes on five acres. Each household is Researchers at Loma Linda University in a one-story, barrier-free home designed for California showed a funny video to seniors residents’ safety and security. Residents have and compared them to another group of private bedrooms and access to a common seniors who did not watch the video. Those living room, sunroom, family dining room, who saw the humorous video had significant kitchen, secure patio and backyard. decreases in levels of the stress hormone cortiTo provide a sense of purpose and accomsol and demonstrated greater improvement on plishment, the Dolan Memory Care staff memory tests than those not shown the video. encourages residents to assist with meal “Its simple; the less stress you have, preparation, laundry, gardening and housethe better your memory,” study co-author keeping. An activity program includes exer-
Lyon, the last of four homes in Dolan Memory Care Homes’ Les Maisons neighborhood.
cise, discussions, games, art projects and community outings. Musical entertainment is provided several times a month. Based in Chesterfield, Dolan Memory Care Homes are licensed by the state and staffed by caregivers trained in the care of those with dementia-related disorders. The Les Maisons neighborhood is located at 1225 Tennant Road in West County. Keeping grandma sharp Grandmothers who want to reduce their risk of cognitive decline might want to baby-
sit their grandchildren – but not too often. A study published in the journal Menopause found that taking care of grandkids one day a week helps keep grandmothers mentally sharp, but watching them five or more days a week seems to have the opposite effect. Among 186 women aged 57-68 tested on mental sharpness, the 120 who watched their grandkids once a week scored the best on two of three tests. Grandmothers who took care of grandchildren five or more See NEWS AND NOTES, page 46
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