Comments on: Global Agenda Council: the Challenges of Gerontology? http://www.sharpbrains.com/blog/2008/10/15/global-agenda-council-the-challenges-of-gerontology/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=global-agenda-council-the-challenges-of-gerontology Neuroplasticity, Brain Fitness and Cognitive Health News Thu, 02 Feb 2012 02:53:26 +0000 hourly 1 By: Alvaro Fernandez http://www.sharpbrains.com/blog/2008/10/15/global-agenda-council-the-challenges-of-gerontology/comment-page-1/#comment-197466 Alvaro Fernandez Sun, 19 Oct 2008 16:28:06 +0000 http://www.sharpbrains.com/blog/2008/10/15/global-agenda-council-the-challenges-of-gerontology/#comment-197466 Thank you William, I agree with your assessment. Focusing on implementing and scaling best practices is as important as new research. I will be happy to share my "actionable idea", and have asked the organizers what other information I can share (other participants are writing similar essays, and then we are working as a group). This is going to be a very stimulating, and we hope impactful, initiative. Thank you for your thoughts. Thank you William, I agree with your assessment. Focusing on implementing and scaling best practices is as important as new research.

I will be happy to share my “actionable idea”, and have asked the organizers what other information I can share (other participants are writing similar essays, and then we are working as a group). This is going to be a very stimulating, and we hope impactful, initiative. Thank you for your thoughts.

]]> By: William McPeck http://www.sharpbrains.com/blog/2008/10/15/global-agenda-council-the-challenges-of-gerontology/comment-page-1/#comment-197238 William McPeck Sat, 18 Oct 2008 20:27:45 +0000 http://www.sharpbrains.com/blog/2008/10/15/global-agenda-council-the-challenges-of-gerontology/#comment-197238 In this age of information overload, seems to me one of the greatest challenges we face is how to make best use of what we already know. We need to take the information we currently know about the brain and aging, along with what we have yet to learn and put it into a format(s)that can be widely disseminated for use by the greatest number of people. Coming from the worksite wellness arena, I wonder how employers might best use this information, particularly as our workforce ages. How might healthcare organizations best use what we already know, particularly our long term care facilities? How might community public health and social service agencies best use the information? What are current evidence based best practices and how might they be used across the various venues? While new research endeavors are important, let's make sure we put to the best use possible what we already know, and I am not convinced we are currently doing that. Hopefully you will share with us your final product... In this age of information overload, seems to me one of the greatest challenges we face is how to make best use of what we already know. We need to take the information we currently know about the brain and aging, along with what we have yet to learn and put it into a format(s)that can be widely disseminated for use by the greatest number of people. Coming from the worksite wellness arena, I wonder how employers might best use this information, particularly as our workforce ages. How might healthcare organizations best use what we already know, particularly our long term care facilities? How might community public health and social service agencies best use the information? What are current evidence based best practices and how might they be used across the various venues? While new research endeavors are important, let’s make sure we put to the best use possible what we already know, and I am not convinced we are currently doing that. Hopefully you will share with us your final product…

]]> By: Alvaro Fernandez http://www.sharpbrains.com/blog/2008/10/15/global-agenda-council-the-challenges-of-gerontology/comment-page-1/#comment-196909 Alvaro Fernandez Fri, 17 Oct 2008 21:49:41 +0000 http://www.sharpbrains.com/blog/2008/10/15/global-agenda-council-the-challenges-of-gerontology/#comment-196909 Priscilla, as far as I know, this is an invite-only conference. Elizabeth, T and Emory, thank you for your excellent contributions! - more research emphasis on how physical and mental exercise can potentially delay/ alleviate brain problems (aging-related, and beyond). - providing options for older adults to maintain economic independence. - how to leverage emerging computer-based cognitive assessments as baseline and to inform diagnosis and treatment. More suggestions? Priscilla, as far as I know, this is an invite-only conference.

Elizabeth, T and Emory, thank you for your excellent contributions!
– more research emphasis on how physical and mental exercise can potentially delay/ alleviate brain problems (aging-related, and beyond).
– providing options for older adults to maintain economic independence.
– how to leverage emerging computer-based cognitive assessments as baseline and to inform diagnosis and treatment.

More suggestions?

]]> By: Emory Hill http://www.sharpbrains.com/blog/2008/10/15/global-agenda-council-the-challenges-of-gerontology/comment-page-1/#comment-196542 Emory Hill Thu, 16 Oct 2008 20:34:16 +0000 http://www.sharpbrains.com/blog/2008/10/15/global-agenda-council-the-challenges-of-gerontology/#comment-196542 We are now able to use automation and touch screens in medical facilityes to cheaply track changes in the cognitive functioning of older people around the world. The accurate anticipation of cognitive decline results in substantial reductions of costs, both emotional and financial, to patients, families, doctors, and retirement facilities. When better treatments for Alzheimer's emerge, a record of baseline abilities will allow doctors to selectively perform the expensive evaluations for possible treatment as soon as impairment begins, rather than waiting for more severe impairments to be evident. This is crucial because new treatments for Alzheimer's are likely to slow or stop, not reverse, cognitive decline. We are now able to use automation and touch screens in medical facilityes to cheaply track changes in the cognitive functioning of older people around the world. The accurate anticipation of cognitive decline results in substantial reductions of costs, both emotional and financial, to patients, families, doctors, and retirement facilities. When better treatments for Alzheimer’s emerge, a record of baseline abilities will allow doctors to selectively perform the expensive evaluations for possible treatment as soon as impairment begins, rather than waiting for more severe impairments to be evident. This is crucial because new treatments for Alzheimer’s are likely to slow or stop, not reverse, cognitive decline.

]]> By: T. Sprenger http://www.sharpbrains.com/blog/2008/10/15/global-agenda-council-the-challenges-of-gerontology/comment-page-1/#comment-196504 T. Sprenger Thu, 16 Oct 2008 17:25:54 +0000 http://www.sharpbrains.com/blog/2008/10/15/global-agenda-council-the-challenges-of-gerontology/#comment-196504 The carrot and the stick. The 'stick' is time and aging. the 'carrot' is money. Our economic system often throws the working person out when they get over 50. Can we change that? Can we have an enhanced minimum wage specifically for those over fifty? So the working poor who are older are not so dependent, and can create their own retirement? The carrot and the stick.

The ‘stick’ is time and aging.

the ‘carrot’ is money. Our economic system often throws the working person out when they get over 50.

Can we change that?
Can we have an enhanced minimum wage specifically for those over fifty? So the working poor who are older are not so dependent, and can create their own retirement?

]]> By: Elizabeth Smith http://www.sharpbrains.com/blog/2008/10/15/global-agenda-council-the-challenges-of-gerontology/comment-page-1/#comment-196499 Elizabeth Smith Thu, 16 Oct 2008 16:41:47 +0000 http://www.sharpbrains.com/blog/2008/10/15/global-agenda-council-the-challenges-of-gerontology/#comment-196499 Many brain diseases associated with aging seem to be mitigated by exercise yet we do not yet understand precisely how this happens. Drug-related research is richly funded, yet it is more difficult to find research funding for potentially powerful disease mitigation strategies that will not result in profits. I'd like to see increased funding for an aggressive research agenda that aims to identify specific mental and physical exercise strategies that have a mitigating effect on specific brain diseases. Many brain diseases associated with aging seem to be mitigated by exercise yet we do not yet understand precisely how this happens. Drug-related research is richly funded, yet it is more difficult to find research funding for potentially powerful disease mitigation strategies that will not result in profits. I’d like to see increased funding for an aggressive research agenda that aims to identify specific mental and physical exercise strategies that have a mitigating effect on specific brain diseases.

]]> By: Priscilla Pittman http://www.sharpbrains.com/blog/2008/10/15/global-agenda-council-the-challenges-of-gerontology/comment-page-1/#comment-196490 Priscilla Pittman Thu, 16 Oct 2008 15:58:14 +0000 http://www.sharpbrains.com/blog/2008/10/15/global-agenda-council-the-challenges-of-gerontology/#comment-196490 I am inquiring about the possibility of a scholarship for this conference? I am inquiring about the possibility of a scholarship for this conference?

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