Volz, Joe (2000, January). Successful aging: The
second 50: Psychologists' research is changing attitudes
about what it takes to live the good -- and longer -- life. APA Monitor 31(1) <
http://www.apa.org/monitor/jan00/cs.html >
"The 16th century Spanish explorer, Ponce de Leon, marched off
in search of the fountain of youth, only to discover death. Intruding into hostile Indian territory in Florida, de Leon was
killed by an arrow at age 47. But today millions of
Americans are experiencing the longer life that eluded de
Leon. In fact, the percentage of Americans age 65 and older
has more than tripled in the last 100 years, and now
represents 13 percent of the population. Not only are more
people living into the second 50 years of
life, 70,000 centenarians have entered their third 50 years. And by 2050, the U.S. Census Bureau estimates the number of
centenarians at 834,000 -- although the bureau's "high-end"
calculation predicts that figure could climb as high as 4.2
million.
The urgency, now, has begun to shift from that of medically
prolonging life to ensuring that a prolonged life is worth
living. Psychological researchers are attacking the problem along
several fronts, and some of the most practically applicable
work has come from the field of memory and cognition. "It
is cognitive capacity, more than any physical
disability," says Margery Silver, Ed.D., a neuropsychologist at
Harvard, "that most often determines whether people can attain
extreme old age while remaining active. "Thus, studies in
this area range from better understanding
mental functioning, to the importance of social support in
keeping memories sharp, to the basic review of everyday
activities, such as the way we use ATM machines or solve
crossword puzzles. Psychologists are proving almost daily that humans in their
later years have far more physical and mental strength than
imagined. They are showing that memory loss can be reversed by
personal strategies such as daily memory checks and regular
mental exercises. And they're designing methods to help people
change their behavior to take advantage of increased
longevity. "There are innumerable important questions about health and
aging that psychologists are poised to answer," says
researcher, Denise Park, PhD, of the University of Michigan.
Decline not inevitable
In fact, a new paradigm, centering on the idea that memory
and cognitive power don't necessarily decline with age as
traditionally thought, is taking hold within the psychology
community. That concept gained momentum with study results released
last fall [1999] by a team of Princeton University psychologists.
They found that adults continue to grow new brain cells
throughout life. Those late-generated cells, they found, may
allow older people to bolster their learning and memory
capabilities, or even to stave off declines. Such capabilities
were never envisioned under the old theory that cells stopped
forming--and actually started dying--by age 40. The byproduct
of that report -- by Elizabeth Gould, PhD,
Alison J. Reeves, Michael S.A. Graziano, PhD, and Charles G.
Gross, PhD, in the Oct. 15 issue of Science (Vol. 286, No. l,
p. 548-552) -- has been hope among researchers. Why? John Cavanaugh,
PhD, a researcher on aging issues at
the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, believes the
answer lies buried in memory, and filed under "Beliefs." "With memory,
it does appear that people's belief systems
are important," says Cavanaugh. "There are hints that the
kinds of things people tell themselves [about their ability to
remember] matter."
Older people, for instance, might believe their memory and
intellectual power is insufficient, and therefore may avoid
learning how to use a computer, or may shy away from a
training course in strategies for learning and retaining new
information. "The stereotype is that memory is supposed to decline,"
adds Cavanaugh, "but that's still an open question."
Peter Martin, PhD, a professor of human development at Iowa
State puts it even more bluntly: "No matter what your age, the
memory is still trainable. You can teach an old dog new
tricks." Pursuing that theory, researchers are studying the value of
having older adults develop memory strategies, perform a daily
self-monitoring of their memory and carry out regular mental
exercises--for example using associations with one or more of
the senses, to encode information into memory. "But people
have to make a conscious decision to do this,"
says researcher Robin West, PhD, at the University of Florida.
"It's not going to occur automatically."
In the meantime, other researchers are approaching the
memory puzzle by looking beyond the strategic to the very
tactical issues faced in everyday life. A group of Georgia
Tech researchers, for example, used the daily crossword puzzle
as a model for studying differences between young and old in
"novel problem-solving" and in memory recall.
Timothy Salthouse, PhD, and David Hambrick, PhD, of Georgia
Tech, whose report appeared in the Journal of Experimental
Psychology (Vol. 128, No. 21, p. 131-164), were surprised to
find no evidence that crossword puzzle-solving reduced, in
older adults, the known age-related decline in problem solving
ability--nor did it increase the known age-related gains in
stored memory. They also found, to their surprise, that skill
at abstract reasoning played no role at all in a person's proficiency at
solving a crossword puzzle--whether young or old. Simple
knowledge--experience--made the difference. "In other words,"
says Salthouse, "some jobs require rapid
problem solving, where people are always performing to the
limits--professional athletes and air traffic controllers, for
example. But many jobs are like crossword puzzles. Novel
problem solving is less important than experience." Thus, says
Salthouse, the study suggests that even though
older people may not perform as well in spontaneous
activities, they can do the job just as well if they have
experience in that field.
Banking on success
But what if they have no experience in a field? That was an
issue raised by Wendy Rogers, PhD, at Georgia
Tech, with her study of automatic teller machine (ATM)
usage--conducted with Elizabeth Cabrera, PhD, and Neff Walker,
PhD, and published in Human Factors (Vol. 38, p.156-166). Not
surprisingly, they found younger adults more likely to
use ATMs than older adults are. But in all age groups, ATM
users took advantage of more technologies and had more
experience with computers. Nonusers avoided ATMs because they
felt unsafe or uncomfortable dealing with machines. The point, says
Rogers: Older adults who don't use ATMs are
penalizing themselves. "They are falling behind in everyday
living," she says.
But older people certainly can lead independent lives--with
training, she adds. For instance, home health-care technology
has begun to produce devices that would allow older patients
to care for themselves. So researchers are now working on ways
to make blood pressure and blood glucose devices easy for
older adults to operate, says Rogers. Similarly, she'd like to see psychologists design training
programs for these types of new technologies. "The best predictor of who will use the [home health]
machines is someone who used technology previously," says
Rogers. "Those people are more quick to adapt." There are even training methods to make it more fun for
people to adapt. Lawrence C. Katz, PhD, a professor of
neurobiology at Duke University says his easy-to-perform "neurobic
exercises" help the brain to not only maintain connections
between nerve cells--and thus preserve memory recall--but aid
in developing new connections.
Those exercises are at the heart of his book "Keep Your
Brain Alive," (Workman, 1999) co-authored by Manning Rubin. "The mental decline most people experience is not due to
the steady death of nerve cells," says Katz. Rather, it is the
atrophy of connections between nerve cells in the brain.
Contributing to such atrophy, he says, are routine behaviours,
many of them almost subconscious, that require little
brainpower. "It's startling to realize just how predictable and free
from surprises our everyday lives really are," he says. Neurobics is based on two principles, he says: "Experience
the unexpected and enlist the aid of all of your senses during
the course of the day." For instance, he suggests listening to a piece of music
while smelling a particular aroma. Or turning the photographs
on your desk or the clock on your wall upside down to
completely engage your attention. Or take a completely new
route to work to break your routine. In developing his exercises, Katz says it was important not
to set a single standard for everyone, "Because some people
would give up after repeated failure," he explains. "The
important thing is not to force people to do things that they
can't do, or to provide exercises that bore them." Thus, he stresses the offbeat and the element of fun. "Do something that challenges and engages your mind," he
says, "not because it's difficult, but because it's different
from what you normally do."
Meanwhile, memory loss isn't the only age-related decline
that can be reversed. So, too, can the frailty of old age,
says Robert Kahn, PhD, 81, of the University of Michigan.
Kahn, co-author of "Successful Aging" (Pantheon, 1998) says
that most older people, even the very old and weak, "have the
capacity to increase their muscle strength, balance, walking
ability and overall aerobic power." Many older people tout the value of a daily exercise
regimen in maintaining their positive outlook on life and
physical health. But, in fact, says Kahn, a major benefit of
pursuing a physical exercise program is for its influence on
memory. "Physically active people are most likely to maintain sharp
mental ability," he says. Memory enhancement also appears to be a potential benefit
of a balanced diet, says new research. While it's been widely
proven that good nutrition enhances overall health, research
recently conducted at Tufts University, for example, found
that men aged 50 and older who had low levels of the B
vitamins folate and B12 were not as good at performing memory
tests as those with higher levels of vitamin B. Other research in the past several years has linked mental
dexterity to vitamins C, E and beta carotene: These
antioxidants may prevent damage to the brain's neurons.
Social support vital
Another key research finding that promotes successful aging
is the need to stay connected with other people. Yet even as
research has shown for years the value of promoting and
developing social support programs, it is often overlooked. "Psychology can get the word out that certain kinds of
behaviors, like diet and exercise, are important," notes Kahn.
"But a less appreciated area is specifically psychological.
People do better if they continue to engage with life and
maintain close relationships." Those relationships can enhance both physical and mental
health. For instance, a study of 695 older men and women--mean
age 79--by Namkee Choi, PhD, and John Wodarski, PhD, of the
State University of New York-Buffalo, published in 1996,
examined the relationship between social support and the
health status of elderly people. They found that "social
support for the elderly tends to slow down further
deterioration of their health, proving that a higher level of
social support may result in better health outcomes."
And in another 1996 study, Maria Mireault, PhD, and Anton
de Man, PhD, of Concordia University in Montreal, found that
thoughts of suicide in aging adults were connected to "high
social isolation," and "dissatisfaction with health and social
support." "There is a definite link between social support and
health," adds psychologist David Myers, PhD, author of
"Pursuit of Happiness" (Avon, 1993). "Those who enjoy close
relationships eat better, exercise more and smoke and drink
less. Perhaps, a supportive network helps us evaluate and
overcome stressful events." And just perhaps, Irene Deitch, PhD, a veteran New York
therapist, embodies not only what Ponce deLeon never
found--the secret of healthy long life--but the ideal model
that the rest of her psychology colleagues are homing in on. "I am a woman of a certain age," she says, politely
sidestepping the "number issue" during a recent conversation. "I'm still running first place in my age group, still
holding up beautifully. I start the day running three miles. I
play tennis, keep office hours, I teach full time. I am trying
new things, taking piano lessons, learning how to hike. I
don't feel I'm supposed to look a certain way or dress a
certain way. The moment I do that I'm segregating myself. As
soon as people segregate themselves, they see themselves in a
certain way, buying into stereotypes about themselves, buying
into what others say about them, which leads to depression and
withdrawal. I don't think I'll live to be 100, but I'll live
until I check out. I'm enjoying my life because there's just
so much to do."
C. KERMIT PHELPS, 91, was out raking
leaves when the Monitor called to ask about the secrets to his
successful aging. "Exercise is essential," says Phelps of Kansas City, Mo.
"It can take five or six minutes, but do it every day to keep
the muscles supple." Eating right and intellectual stimulation are also
critical, he says. His cerebral outlet is lecturing at the
Shepherds Center, a senior citizens organization that he
spearheaded in Kansas City that has expanded to 160 locations
across the United States. These centers offer classes in
creative arts and language, as well as his own creation, "Life
Enrichment," a lecture aimed at helping older people grow
emotionally. "From age 55 on," he says, "you have to focus on what is on
the inside, not just what is on the outside. People need to do
an internal audit to see what they can improve and what they
can throw away."
Passion keeps JERRY CLARK, 87, young in mind
and body. Passion for promoting psychology, for exercise and
especially for his three grandchildren--Austin, Sarah and Nate. Clark, of Carpenteria, Calif., the oldest member of APA's
Council of Representatives, is a former military psychologist who
still serves on the Board of Sansum Medical Research Institute in
Santa Barbara. Originally from Texas, Clark grew up on chicken-fried steak,
"but I found out about salads 40 or 50 years ago, so I've been
eating better ever since." His stay-young hobbies include regular
bridge games and cooking for his family and friends--in fact, for
his birthday, he baked 20 cakes and gave them to the Sansum clinic
staff. The most exhilarating part of his week? Swims at the local
pool. "Sometimes, I walk out of there and I say to the pool
attendant, 'That was great! I feel like I'm 70 again!'"
For SATORU IZUTSU, 71, every day is
"fun-filled with interesting, active people," and that's been
key to his successful aging. Connecting with people is why this psychologist is wired to
three (3) voice mail systems, a cellular telephone and two e-mail
systems. "I'm accessible throughout the world." His professional life includes consulting three-and-a-half
days for the Queen Emma Foundation, which focuses on
collaborative research activities between the University of
Hawaii School of Medicine and the Queen's Medical Center. For
two days, he's at the University of Hawaii School of Medicine
serving as associate dean, chair of the Admissions Committee
and liaison for International Medicine Programs. "An important factor for me is that I genuinely believe
that, hopefully, I am making a difference in other people's
lives," he says. He attributes his physical and mental fitness to regular
aerobics, jogging, swimming and weight-training, tempered with
a weekly tea ceremony to "practice the precepts of harmony,
respect, purity and tranquility."
MARY STARKE HARPER, 80, is a midnight
gardener. "Often I can't go out in my yard 'til evening because I'm
so busy," says the psychologist of Tuscaloosa, Ala. "It's not
uncommon for me to be pulling grass at 2 a.m." And keeping busy, she says, keeps her young. "I always have
more to do that I can accomplish." As an expert in aging issues, Harper is a member of two
national aging committees: the Advisory Council of the
National Institute for Aging and the Surgeon General's Task
Force for Mental Health and Aging. She's also chair of two
aging conferences this year, one exploring aging research,
another on older citizens in rural areas. And she's active
with the Mary Starke Harper Geriatric Psychiatric Center in
Tuscaloosa, named in honor of her work in the area of mental
health and aging. Her advice to others? "Stay current with your profession and your community, and
you don't have a chance to know you're getting old."
Serving as APA president might not hurt either...
It appears serving as APA president could also contribute
to successful aging. Ten of the association's 109 presidents
have lived into their 90s. Ernest Hilgard, who became APA's
58th president in 1949 is now APA's longest living past
president at age 95. He still goes to his office at Stanford
University two mornings a week. William Bryan (1860 - 1955), APA's 12th president also
lived to be 95, but died 20 days after his birthday. Two other past presidents are in their 90s: Anne Anastasi,
born in 1908, and Neal Miller, born in 1909. Meanwhile,
there are another 31 living ex-APA presidents who are still
eligible to break into the exclusive 90s club. Among the oldest-ever psychologists was Lucy Day Boring,
wife of E.G. Boring, one of the most influential
psychologists of this century. Lucy Boring, who earned her
doctorate at Cornell University in 1912, died at age 109
in 1994, one month shy of her 110th birthday." JOHN D.
HOGAN, PHD
Ageing
Well
by Clifford Morris
Chen, Yiwei, and Mo Wang. (2007). Ageism. Encyclopedia of
Human Development. SAGE Publications. Here are two (2) excerpts from
the article.
Cohen, D. Gene. (2005). The Mature Mind: The Positive Power of the Aging Brain.
New York: Basic Books 232 pp.
ISBN 0-465-01203-5. $24.95. 
Franklin, Nina C. & Tate, Charlotte A. (2008, November 15). Lifestyle and Successful Aging:
An Overview. American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, 10(10),
1-6.