Joy Loverde: Eldercare Expert
Joy Loverde is recognized as one of the leading experts on successful aging and eldercare. Her best selling book, The Complete Eldercare Planner (Random House), reflects the depth of her understanding and compassion for the needs of older Americans. "The book is the best we saw..." says the American Medical Association. With over 25-years experience as a media spokesperson, Joy's appearances include the TODAY Show, CBS's Early Show, CNN's Headline News, FOX News, National Public Radio, and others. During her career, Joy has been quoted in the Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post, LA Times, Kiplinger's Retirement Report, and HR Magazine. USA TODAY ran a four-part series on Joy's eldercare programs. Joy is a popular keynote speaker for a variety of audiences including National Institutes of Health, Xerox Women's International Conference, American Compensation Association, Catholic Charities, Employee Assistance Professionals Association, and numerous others. Joy founded Silvercare Productions, a marketing firm in 1989, and serves as a consultant to human resource professionals, attorneys, financial planners, clergy, retirement-housing directors, and other members of the fast-growing eldercare industry. Joy lives in Chicago. For more information on Joy Loverde, go to her website.
REVIEWS
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Getting older brings a number of physical changes and yet time is something we CAN bargain with. As the aging-process clock just keeps on ticking, more and more people are putting the effort in now to pump up their brain power and preserve mental vigor. The best anti-aging remedy doesn’t come in a jar; it’s daily doses of cognitive exercise. Simply put, if we put our mind to work, our brain cells will find a way to stay fit.Read More »
As we age, chemical changes in the brain affect memory and learning. On the bright side, staying active mentally and sharpening mental skills will help offset age-related mental decline. Numerous medical research studies suggest that consistent, long-term mental stimulation is essential to reducing the risk of memory loss and dementia. In other words, thinking intensely on a regular basis rewires our brain and helps us concentrate and remember things.
At the Fourth International Brain Education Conference, held at the United Nations in New York City, Ilchi Lee, president of the International Brain Education recently explained, “Everything depends on how well we operate the brain, and how deeply we can trust it.” As the ultimate means to access our unlimited human potential, brain education can play a major role in determining the future of humanity and the earth.
And here’s even more food for thought. We’ve known all along that we are what we eat, and when heath experts encourage us to add sardines, blueberries, walnuts, broccoli, red wine, and foods rich in antioxidants to our daily diet, they are also taking into consideration the positive effects food has on sustaining and improving memory and cognitive activities, and even promoting the growth of new nerve cells.
Fernando Gomez-Pinilla, Professor of Neurosurgery at UCLA, explains that there are foods to stay away from that can cause damage to many systems in the brain, including memory. Gomez-Pinilla explains that junk foods high in saturated fats have been shown to negatively impact the synapses of the brain.
That being said, the idea here is not to dictate what you should eat and drink for a healthier brain. Instead, you may want to consider the consequences of a history of bad eating habits and the consumption of junk food, and the short and long-term effect of the choices you are making. Yes, you CAN have your cake and eat it, too. According to the experts, the right dietary changes have IMMEDIATE brain payoffs at any age.
What’s also encouraging is that experts tell us that older brains can learn new tricks. “The mind has a crucial advantage over the body,” says Roger Landry, M.D., President of Masterpiece Living. Dr. Landry explains that cognitive research has shown that the brain can continue to renew cells throughout a person’s lifetime. “Whether you’re nine or ninety, you can learn and you can grow - it may just take a little longer.“
If you are contemplating a brain fitness regimen, your first course of action is to determine which product is best for you. Consider the following key questions when evaluating a brain fitness program:
1) What are the credentials of the people who designed the program?
2) Has the program been tested in rigorous scientific studies?
3) Is the program proven effective?
4) Does this program compliment my current lifestyle?
Does exercising the brain really work? While it’s difficult for anybody to say that a specific amount of exposure to any of the brain-fitness products on the market is going to benefit them many years from now, there’s no downside to staying mentally active. However, experts agree on two key requirements: You must do the exercises consistently. And they shouldn’t be too easy.
So do the bright thing and flex your mental muscles today. -
Guess who’s coming to dinner? Guess who’s not? Older adults who choose to make good use of technology as a means to communicate with others are the ones who are more likely to stay connected, informed, and engaged. Unfortunately, people who turn their backs on technology and communication devices are, quite frankly, left out of the loop.Read More »
These days, successfully aging people can add the liberal use of technology-enhanced communication devices as a means to live a happier, healthier lifestyle. No longer considered add-ons or luxury items, daily doses of e-mail exchanges, talking on cell phones, text messaging, “Googling” lost acquaintances, listening to music on iPods, blogging, online support groups, cyber games, sending and receiving digital photos, and searching the Internet are every bit as critical to one’s own physical and emotional well being as diet and exercise.
Studies reveal that the elderly American population is the fastest growing market for computer usage. It’s no wonder since they are quickly discovering that technology is helping them to keep up with the rest of the world and stay close to those they love. Devices that assist in the process of writing, reading, talking, seeing, thinking, hearing and telephoning are keeping older adults connected as well as more independent. An apple a day may keep the doctor away: but people who are staying close to friends and family, keeping the mind active, laughing, and having a sense of humor are living longer, healthier, and more satisfied lives.
A ten-year MacArthur Foundation study has proven, without a doubt, that a successful-aging healthstyle is a direct result of lifestyle choices rather than genetics or other factors beyond our control. Roger Landry, M.D., President of Masterpiece Living warns us that “not being socially connected raises the risk of dying prematurely. On the other hand, social connectivity enhances the immune system and therefore protects us from disease.”
Thanks to the times we live in and the wonders of technology, it’s becoming easier to communicate with others. The world is changing, and more changes will come in the future. Exploring the many ways to help our elderly loved ones “stay in the inner circle” will be of great benefit to us all.
