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Maintaining Memory and Balance

Tomorrow, I am giving a talk to a group of local seniors on how to maintain memory and balance. I chose this topic 6 months ago and did not give it much thought at the time; just was thinking that these are the most pertinent challenges of aging. Now as I prepare for the talk, I realize the gravity and importance of this topic. Seniors fear falling and losing their cognition as much as any single thing with the possible exception of death itself.

So what wisdom can I pass on; wisdom that will really matter. Pharmaceuticals are notoriously ineffective for both these issues. No supplement is even marginally helpful. Eating healthy may be helpful but certainly is not bullet-proof. No one really understands what causes Alzheimer's, Parkinson's or any of the other disease states that take away the mind and brain and the spirit of seniors.

What then can we (me as a doctor, seniors and everyone who has an aging parent) do to help? First, we must look at the situation with clear eyes and fresh thoughts. There are very real things people can do to avoid these dreaded consequences and even to promote a "good" end of life. The problem is the answer is not in a pill, supplement or quick-and-easy solution. There is very real research about how to prevent these complications. For example:



This study beautifully demonstrates that even people with mild to moderate dementia can reverse the process with gentle exercise, social connection and mindful awareness. If people with already established disease can improve, then what are the possibilities and power for those looking to prevent the disease. This is truly ground-breaking research and just the work and method we are doing at Pando Health Groups

In addition, balance has been shown for many years to be improved and maintained with regular exercise and more recently, with other disciplines ie Tai Chi for Balance and the Feldenkrais Method (Awareness Through Movement) and other exercise programs for balance. This further demonstrates the remarkable benefits that seniors attain when they stay active and engaged with healthy lifestyles. It really does not matter what the activity; it is the ongoing routine of exercise and movement of any kind that works. People should do what they like and what they enjoy. It is a basic fact of life -- healthy habits come out of pleasure and ease NOT discipline and external pressure. 

So, there it is. The world's most dreaded fears -- falls causing injury, dementia and cognitive loss -- CAN be prevented. We have the power. The power is not in a pill, your doctor or anything outside of you. Communicating openly and continuing a daily routine of pleasurable movement can keep you upright, mentally healthy and happy. Let's do this!

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