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Brain Health as You Age: A Practical Guide to Maintenance and Prevention
Library Journal, Starred Review Keep your brain healthy as you age by practicing proper maintenance and learning to identify problems as they arise. Have you ever spent 10 minutes looking for your reading glasses, and they were on the top of your head? Or, have you walked into a room and forgotten why you went there? Most people, even younger ones, have had these experiences but when should such instances be something of concern? What are the normal signs of aging? Is there anything you can do to maintain your brain health as you age?
Brain Health as You Age provides useful, achievable actions you can take to reduce your risk of brain function decline, accurate information about identifying problems, and real solutions. The authors offer useful anecdotes and scientifically validated information -- important tools in separating myth from reality. The authors separate fact from fiction to ensure that recommendations are evidence-based, practical, useful, achievable, and measurable.
Written by a world-renowned cognitive specialist, an extraordinary house call physician, and an award-winning author on eldercare issues, this book addresses both normal and abnormal decline and best practices for addressing both. Brain health, cognitive impairment, and mood disorders are serious issues. This book is an accessible starting point for understanding healthy brain aging and when to seek help. It’s never too soon to start preventing cognitive decline, or understanding it once it’s begun, and this book offers the perfect entry point for readers young and old.
Brain Health as You Age provides useful, achievable actions you can take to reduce your risk of brain function decline, accurate information about identifying problems, and real solutions. The authors offer useful anecdotes and scientifically validated information -- important tools in separating myth from reality. The authors separate fact from fiction to ensure that recommendations are evidence-based, practical, useful, achievable, and measurable.
Written by a world-renowned cognitive specialist, an extraordinary house call physician, and an award-winning author on eldercare issues, this book addresses both normal and abnormal decline and best practices for addressing both. Brain health, cognitive impairment, and mood disorders are serious issues. This book is an accessible starting point for understanding healthy brain aging and when to seek help. It’s never too soon to start preventing cognitive decline, or understanding it once it’s begun, and this book offers the perfect entry point for readers young and old.
- GenresNonfictionScience
200 pages, Paperback
Published February 9, 2022
17 people are currently reading
63 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
October 27, 2018
This book has many valuable factsabout our brain, it’s challenges as we age, and ways to ward off dementia and other brain diseases. The beginning of the book explains the parts of the brain, and the function of each. Case studies are interspersed throughout the book which give real-life patients and their challenges. Anyone who has family who are affected by denentia, Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s will find this book very helpful in understanding their disease. Understanding is the first step in conquering each.
January 5, 2023
I was excited about this book but, unfortunately I struggled to complete it. It was informative about the function of the parts of the brain and the different types of damage that can cause dementia. The authors also identified the resulting types of dementia diagnosis, of which Alzheimer's Disease is 65% of the patients. What I wasn't able to determine from this book were the the symptoms and behaviors that make Alzheimer's different from the other dementia diseases. Since it is the majority of the diagnosis, I would have like more information about Alzheimer's.
I did enjoy the chapters about the actions that a person can do to prevent or delay the onset of dementia. I thought that this information was clear, down to earth and helpful.
I did enjoy the chapters about the actions that a person can do to prevent or delay the onset of dementia. I thought that this information was clear, down to earth and helpful.
October 16, 2022
Listened to about 75% of the audiobook, which had several instances of overlapping audio that made sections indecipherable. Some of the chapters that I skipped felt out of place and dealt more with navigating long term care or caregiving for an elderly family member. Overall, a good primer on the various brain disorders that can impact us as we age.
January 12, 2019
The book had potential to be really good, but it fell short. It's written in a very dry way that makes it quote boring. I found a few nuggets of good info in it, but overall I was hoping for something better.
February 9, 2019
First half definitely for medical professionals’ level of interest. Second half good for families/caregivers or those interested, as the title states.
June 18, 2024
Everyone in their 60s or 70s should read this book. So helpful
October 26, 2019
A year ago now, I agreed to review the book Brain Health as You Age by Steven P. Simmons MD; William E. Mansbach and Jodi L. Lyons in exchange for a free copy. Unfortunately, it got lost in the shuffle and I only recently got back to it.
The book covered a surprising amount of ground. It starts with understanding what affects natural aging has on the brain and what owners of healthy aging brains can expect. It provides an impressive list of specific strategies that readers can use to help keep their brains active and healthy and, importantly, provides guidelines on how to select and use them (and similar tools and practices) effectively and appropriately.
From there, the book goes into unhealthy aging brains. Specifically, this means exploring the varying levels and types of impairment (such as dementia). The authors do a superb job of explaining what is normal (or not), what to expect and how conditions progress. These sections were incredibly informative and helpful.
I think the most valuable aspect of the book, however, is its last quarter in which is discusses in very practical terms how to prepare for, deal with and address the effects of cognitive impairment from the perspectives of both a potential patient and a prospective caregiver. The authors spell out in detail all the legal, social/emotional, personal, and physical health and safety concerns that need to be considered, planned for, and accommodated. They shine a light on often-overlooked problem areas and provide invaluable insights for anyone needing (or expecting to need) to make difficult care decisions for themselves or others.
Perhaps most importantly, throughout the book, the authors draw readers back to shared humanity. They remind readers regularly that both the patients and caregivers are human and that life is imperfect. Accommodations must be made and grace goes a long way. For both their practical, hands-on advice and that grace-filled perspective, I strongly recommend this book.
The book covered a surprising amount of ground. It starts with understanding what affects natural aging has on the brain and what owners of healthy aging brains can expect. It provides an impressive list of specific strategies that readers can use to help keep their brains active and healthy and, importantly, provides guidelines on how to select and use them (and similar tools and practices) effectively and appropriately.
From there, the book goes into unhealthy aging brains. Specifically, this means exploring the varying levels and types of impairment (such as dementia). The authors do a superb job of explaining what is normal (or not), what to expect and how conditions progress. These sections were incredibly informative and helpful.
I think the most valuable aspect of the book, however, is its last quarter in which is discusses in very practical terms how to prepare for, deal with and address the effects of cognitive impairment from the perspectives of both a potential patient and a prospective caregiver. The authors spell out in detail all the legal, social/emotional, personal, and physical health and safety concerns that need to be considered, planned for, and accommodated. They shine a light on often-overlooked problem areas and provide invaluable insights for anyone needing (or expecting to need) to make difficult care decisions for themselves or others.
Perhaps most importantly, throughout the book, the authors draw readers back to shared humanity. They remind readers regularly that both the patients and caregivers are human and that life is imperfect. Accommodations must be made and grace goes a long way. For both their practical, hands-on advice and that grace-filled perspective, I strongly recommend this book.
February 1, 2019
As we grow older our brains go through many changes and then add in physical challenges that arise you begin to understand why you forget where you left your cars keys. This practical guide explains these changes and offers exercises for the brain to help maintain a healthy outcome.
Have you ever spent 10 minutes looking for your reading glasses, and they were on the top of your head? Or, have you walked into a room and forgotten why you went there? Most people, even younger ones, have had these experiences but when should such instances be something of concern? What are the normal signs of aging? Is there anything you can do to maintain your brain health as you age? Brain Health as Your Ageprovides useful, achievable actions you can take to reduce your risk of brain function decline, accurate information about identifying problems, and real solutions. The authors offer useful anecdotes and scientifically validated information -- important tools in separating myth from reality. The authors separate fact from fiction to ensure that recommendations are evidence-based, practical, useful, achievable, and measurable. Written by a world-renowned cognitive specialist, an extraordinary house call physician, and an award-winning author on eldercare issues, this book addresses both normal and abnormal decline and best practices for addressing both. Brain health, cognitive impairment, and mood disorders are serious issues. This book is an accessible starting point for understanding healthy brain aging and when to seek help. It's never too soon to start preventing cognitive decline, or understanding it once it's begun, and this book offers the perfect entry point for readers young and old.
Have you ever spent 10 minutes looking for your reading glasses, and they were on the top of your head? Or, have you walked into a room and forgotten why you went there? Most people, even younger ones, have had these experiences but when should such instances be something of concern? What are the normal signs of aging? Is there anything you can do to maintain your brain health as you age? Brain Health as Your Ageprovides useful, achievable actions you can take to reduce your risk of brain function decline, accurate information about identifying problems, and real solutions. The authors offer useful anecdotes and scientifically validated information -- important tools in separating myth from reality. The authors separate fact from fiction to ensure that recommendations are evidence-based, practical, useful, achievable, and measurable. Written by a world-renowned cognitive specialist, an extraordinary house call physician, and an award-winning author on eldercare issues, this book addresses both normal and abnormal decline and best practices for addressing both. Brain health, cognitive impairment, and mood disorders are serious issues. This book is an accessible starting point for understanding healthy brain aging and when to seek help. It's never too soon to start preventing cognitive decline, or understanding it once it's begun, and this book offers the perfect entry point for readers young and old.
December 3, 2021
At first, it was very interesting and gave a good hook but then the presentation of the book slowly depleted. The sentences seemed to become repetitive, even with some facts that are good to know and advice on what to look out for could have been all placed on three pages rather than numerous pages with stories that at this point seemed to be almost entirely the same, only with different names.
I've heard many stories of experiences and even had a few myself from taking care of my grandmother and working in the Healthcare field but the stories in this book? Surely could have been presented better rather than just repeating it quite plainly.
When you read of experiences, you need to be able to feel the pain of that individual, get with them on a first-level basis as if you are the person. It's one thing to tell a story and it's another when it's supposed to be informative and engaging for educational purposes.
I didn't feel like the family's emotions were displayed enough to understand how it felt and all the important facts were spread out within the pages (far too much) that eventually I just couldn't finish the book.
Overall, it's worth a skim but I suggest doing some research on your own off a medical journal website or medical centers that focus on brain health but the book as a whole just isn't worth the read.
I've heard many stories of experiences and even had a few myself from taking care of my grandmother and working in the Healthcare field but the stories in this book? Surely could have been presented better rather than just repeating it quite plainly.
When you read of experiences, you need to be able to feel the pain of that individual, get with them on a first-level basis as if you are the person. It's one thing to tell a story and it's another when it's supposed to be informative and engaging for educational purposes.
I didn't feel like the family's emotions were displayed enough to understand how it felt and all the important facts were spread out within the pages (far too much) that eventually I just couldn't finish the book.
Overall, it's worth a skim but I suggest doing some research on your own off a medical journal website or medical centers that focus on brain health but the book as a whole just isn't worth the read.
April 23, 2024
Good, practical advice mixed with anecdotal case histories and some personal experiences. Are you or do you know an older adult? Are you or they experiencing some cognitive issues? It happens to the best of us. The book will help you understand what is happening to you or your loved one, and will help you to deal with it.
June 4, 2019
I would recommend for anyone whether they have, fear, or care for someone with any kind of age related cognitive impairment. I would also recommend for anyone who might grow old in the future, or care for someone susceptible to aging.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews