11/23/2025
Rethink aging
Ageism—assuming decline is inevitable—shrinks opportunity and motivation. The science says otherwise. The aging brain remains plastic: it can rewire, grow new connections, and adapt at any age. Yes, you can teach an old dog new tricks.
Superaging refers to older adults whose memory rivals people decades younger. Common threads: regular exercise, mentally challenging activities, strong social ties, and a sense of purpose.
Know your memory systems
Episodic memory: your mental time machine—personal events (what you did last weekend).
Semantic memory: your mental encyclopedia—facts, meanings, vocabulary (what Paris is, word meanings).
With age, episodic memory is more vulnerable, while semantic knowledge often stays stable or grows. Support both: tell and record family stories (episodic), and keep learning new facts, words, and skills (semantic).
Bring grandparents into kids’ lives
Intergenerational contact fights ageism in kids and gives elders purpose, routine, and cognitive stimulation.
Grandparents offer stories, skills, and emotional ballast; kids offer novelty and tech-savvy. Both sides gain empathy, resilience, and richer identity.
Why keep exercising
Aerobic and strength activity increase blood flow, boost growth factors like BDNF, improve sleep and mood, and are linked to better attention, executive function, and memory—and lower risk of cognitive decline.
Aim for: 150 minutes/week of moderate cardio (fast walking, cycling), 2 days/week of strength training, plus balance work (tai chi, yoga). Start where you are—even short brisk walks count.
Why challenge your brain
The brain strengthens what it uses. Puzzles and brain games help when they’re genuinely hard and get harder over time, but “far transfer” is best from real-world learning.
Go beyond games: learn a language, instrument, new dance, coding, woodworking, or complex recipes; play strategy games; take classes; volunteer in roles that require planning and communication.