I was not at all surprised to read in The New York Times article, “Older Brain Really May Be a Wiser Brain,” May 20, 2008, that research finds, instead of brainpower declining with age, “the aging brain is simply taking in more data and trying to sift through a clutter of information, often to its long-term benefit.” I’ve often thought this when conversing with my 90 year old friend who continues to paint, read, volunteer and speak (wisely) in front of an audience whenever she has a chance. According to Dr. Hasher, quoted in this article, “A broad attention span may enable older adults to ultimately know more about a situation and the indirect message of what’s going on than their younger peers.”

While Alzheimer is a reality, striking “13 percent of Americans 65 and older,” the remaining 87 percent do not necessarily suffer the fate of declining brainpower. Keeping active is often said to be the key to maintaining mental agility. Jane E. Brody wrote about this in her column titled “Mental Reserves Keep Brains Agile,” published December 11, 2007 (also previously blogged about here). Sources for this article include Cathryn Jakobson Ramin, author of the book Carved in Sand: When Attention Fails and Memory Fades in Midlife. In researching her book, Ms. Ramin found that new mental challenges were crucial to providing stimulation for the aging brain. “So,” Ms Brody suggests, “if you knit, challenge yourself with more than simply stitched scarves. Try a complicated pattern or garment. Listening to opera is lovely, but learning the libretto (available in most libraries) stimulates more neurons…”

Thank you, Ms. Brody, for suggesting a visit to the library. A library, indeed, is the place to go to look up a more challenging knitting pattern, or the libretto to that lovely opera. But, a skeptic wonders, what about looking things up on the Web? For those not so versed, the library offers courses, and librarians are often available for a little individual training.

However, a minor setback to the optimistic news about the resiliency of an aging brain can be an awareness of a “senior moment.” In a recent article in The Wall Street Journal, “Behind ‘senior moments’,” May 27, 2008, I learned about an unscientific name for a variety of mental glitches, — literal paraphasia . Perhaps the most common “literal paraphasias” are a temporary inability to recall a name, number, or even what you were about to do. Seems to me, you don’t have to be an aging adult to experience a momentary mental glitch. Why not forgo the negative associations that come with the term “senior moment” and instead come to terms with an occasional literal paraphasia?

Guest Blogger: Iris Finkel
MLS Student, Pratt Institute School of Information and Library Science

The need for innovation in senior centers continues to be a rallying point for administrations throughout the United States. This topic is addressed in The New York Times article,  “Its Appeal Slipping, the Senior Center Steps Livelier,” March 25, 2008. Competition to attract an aging baby boomer population anticipated by experts as unwilling to visit outdated senior centers has resulted in the necessity to revamp these centers. New services are being offered — including fitness activities, continuing education, volunteer and work opportunities for those not ready for retirement, and more — all in an accommodating environment, without looking institutional.

Libraries, too, are in the process of being revamped to meet the needs of an aging population. Yet, many of the services being discussed have been provided by libraries all along. Library programs and events such as training courses, book clubs and movies, are offered to educate and entertain, independent research is encouraged and supported, and resources for volunteer and work opportunities are readily available. Libraries should, and often do, serve as community centers. Shouldn’t libraries be tapped into more to provide guidance for, and alternatives to, the new models of senior centers being devised? Furthermore, libraries may be better positioned to come up with more palatable nomenclature for an aging baby boomer population who would rather not see themselves as such.

The Pierce County Library System in Washington and the Cumberland County Public Library in North Carolina are examples of libraries working to serve this population in innovative ways.

Guest Blogger: Iris Finkel
MLS Student, Pratt Institute School of Information and Library Science
 

As talk of civic engagement, re-careering, and volunteerism continue to dominate the current retirement debate, libraries and social service agencies continue to seek out model programs. 

A recent article in the New York Times entitled “Going to the Company Elders for Help” highlights how Hewlett-Packard has retained a significant number of retirees as sales volunteers in various retail outlets.  The article credits the company’s former commitment to employees and its family-like atmosphere, one which has changed in recent years.  Their successful mobilization of retired volunteers has not come without criticism.  Some challenge HP for not paying retired workers for their PR and sales expertise, while HP argues that it is simply a way for former employees to continue to participate in the HP community without a need for payment.

Libraries have used volunteers for support on programs and daily operations, but have not created a full scale volunteer corps based on the the patron loyalty which libraries have developed over the years.  How can older volunteers be utilized as library advocates similar to HP’s model?  Should retired volunteers be paid, similar to the model which the organization ReServe is successfully implementing?

The language on aging runs the gamut from successful aging to productive aging to healthy aging.  While different factions have their own takes on pros and cons of such identifiers, people continue to search for resources to help them stay active, both physically and mentally, well into their older years.  The following are recent resources focused on “healthy aging.”

1) Modified Nutrition Pyramid for Older Adults - Recently Tufts University released a modified nutrition pyramid based on the various increased needs of older adults.  Although the new pyramid does not differ significantly from the current food pyramid, it focuses on more suitable forms of foods for older adults.  A PDF version of the new pyramid is also available. 

2) A Running Regimen for the Older Body - A recent New York Times article, Staying a Step Ahead of Aging, outlines the benefits of running as the body ages.  Several subjects in the article did not begin running until their 50’s or 60’s and improved both their health and running times.  While everyone may not be suited for running, the results stated in this article challenge stereotypical views of the aging body.

3) Healthy Aging Briefings - The National Council on Aging (NCOA) is hosting a series of webinars on Healthy Aging.  The subject matter of these webinars ranges from caregiving to civic engagement to creativity.  The next webinar on Arts and Aging is scheduled for February 21, 2008, but past webinars can be viewed at any time.

The previous Lifelong blog post referenced the recent Transforming Life After 50 Institute, held in Pasadena California November 26-29, 2007.  Click here to read the updated story about the Institute. 

Since the Institute, the Transforming Life After 50 Institute page has launched on the California State Library’s website.  This site provides access to the engaging presentations and useful tools for community assessment presented at Institute. The Intstitute and Intiative have garnered notice on the California Library Association’s blog and The Reporter in Vacaville, CA.

What initiatives are happening in your state around Baby Boomers and older adults?  How would your state/community benefit from an initative like this one?

The issue of brain health and older adults continues to be a hot topic at national conferences, in TV news magazines, on blogs and in print.  This latest article, “Mental Reserves Keep Brain Agile” in the New York Times focuses on the activities necessary to promote brain health even in the face of brain diseases such as Alzheimer’s.  The article features case studies of older adults whose autopsies revealed severe brain abnormalities, yet were active and mentally agile older adults in their day-to-day lives.  The key for these individuals was building mental reserves and mental pathways in order to limit the amount of damage that brain disease could effect. While providing solutions and suggestions for building the brain reserves necessary to maintain brain health (even mentioning the public library as a place for stimulating brain activity), the article also focuses on the physical activity necessary to bolster activities such as puzzles and new language acquisition.  The importance of physical activity to brain health is often absent from the typical brain health discussions.

 These issues of brain reserves, brain activity, and physical activity have been discussed in several Libraries for the Future Lifelong Access Libraries trainings.  Most recently, Dr. Paul Nussbaum presented on this topic at the Transforming Life after 50 Institute - a product of the partnership between the California State Library, the California Library Association, and Libraries for the Future.  The Institute was one element of the larger Transforming Life after 50 Initiative which was launched this summer.  Links to video clips and resources from the Institute will be available soon and posted on this blog –stay tuned.

The recent news has been flooded with information on the latest technology tools and websites being used by, or marketed to, older adults.  Of particular interest are social networking sites and video games.

While most people are familiar with social networking sites like MySpace and Facebook — favored amongst Gen X and Y – a recent MSN article, Niche Social Networks Vie for Attention, featured social networking sites for all ages and social groups.  Two sites geared towards Baby Boomers and older adults are TeeBeeDee, launched by Parenting magazine’s founder Robin Wolaner, and Eons, launched by former Monster.com executive Jeffery Taylor.  Both sites boast membership numbers in the tens of thousands, with celebrity member profiles such as Barack Obama.

These sites may pose a counterpoint to the youth focuses social sites, but some libraries have chosen to cross age barriers when delving into new technology.  Old Bridge Public Library in New Jersey was recently featured in an article for their intergenerational program which uses Nintendo’s Wii  Bowling and the latest gaming sensation Guitar Hero.  The article, “Old Bridge Library Unites Generations” relates how these interactive games have both provided socializing across generations and opened up avenues for older adult to simultaneously return to old hobbies and learn new technology.  A similar article in USA Today article, “Tech Giants Target Boomers — and Their Cash“ notes how the Wii has been used in other locations such as senior centers and, amongst other innovative technologies, is on the rise in personal purchases among Boomers.

These new possibilities may open up doors for innovative library programs, diversified computer and technology courses, and deeper social connections.  How has your library used these tools? Or what new ideas has this information has produced for your library?  Do you feel that these programs and sites would be successful among the older adults in your community?

While issues of lifelong learning, civic engagement, and retirement are prominent in discussions of productive aging for Boomers, the emotional side of aging is often ignored, although often unintentionally.  Last week’s New York Times featured an important and touching article entitled “Love in the Time of Dementia.”  Although the article focuses on personal and intimate relationships as affected by dementia, it also features insights on how the dynamics of love relationships may change as we age. 

While these topics may not be popular or easy to discuss, what resources are provided by your library concerning love and dating in later life?  How have you seen emotional issues such as the ones addressed in the above article play out among your library patrons?

This Saturday’s Wall Street Journal featured a special retirement section entitled “Encore.”  The section is an outgrowth of WSJ’s regular retirement column.  The section’s front page article is “The Baby Boomers Guide to Social Security” which highlights social security calculators, strategies and information for the almost 78 million Baby Boomers approaching eligibility next year.  Although the majority of the section is only available to WSJ Online subscribers, the aforementioned article and an interview with Marc Freedman, author of the recent book Encore: Finding Work That Matters in the Second Half of Life, are available to all viewers. 

Given the Social Security guide cover story, what resources, reference tools, or programs are your libraries preparing for local Baby Boomers?

The Lesbian and Gay Aging Issues Network (LGAIN) has released a tip sheet for LGBT Baby Boomers.  The tips range from legal advice, to housing, to health care issues.  The tips are listed in this article on HealthNewsDigest.com.  The motivation for the tip sheet came from the 2006 report Out and Aging: The MetLife Study of Lesbian and Gay Baby Boomers.  Out and Aging is the first publication to survey LGBT older adults. 

With the recent attention to LGBT Boomer issues, as evidenced by this recent Lifelong blog post and NY Times article, has your library or community begun to recognize the diversity of groups with the umbrella term “Baby Boomers?”