The Alzheimer’s Association — Western Carolina Chapter and the Moore County Senior Enrichment Center are hosting the Healthy Brain, Healthy Body, Healthy You Series, a multi-part education series focused on healthy aging. The program is made possible by a grant from Moore County Community Foundation, an affiliate of the North Carolina Community Foundation.
For centuries, we’ve known that the health of the brain and the body are connected. But now, science is able to provide insights into how to make lifestyle choices that may help you keep your brain and body healthy as you age. Join in to learn about research in the areas of diet and nutrition, exercise, cognitive activity and social engagement, and use hands-on tools to help you incorporate these recommendations into a plan for healthy aging.
This series offers science-based recommendations about taking care of our brains and bodies. While there are currently no proven methods to prevent cognitive decline or dementia, research has shown that we can take action to reduce our risk of developing it and help maintain or potentially improve overall health. Each session will feature expert speakers and interactive activities.
“Healthy habits may help to keep our brains healthy as we age and possibly delay the onset of cognitive decline,” said Katherine L. Lambert, CEO of the Alzheimer’s Association — Western Carolina Chapter. “Programs like the Healthy Brain, Healthy Body, Healthy You Series show that at any age, there are lifestyle habits we can adopt to help maintain or even potentially improve our health.”
Both programs will take place from noon to 2 p.m. at the Moore County Senior Enrichment Center at 8040 US Hwy 15-501, West End. These programs are free and open to all Moore County residents ages 50+.
Part one will take place on Friday, Feb. 23. The first session, “Physical Fitness for All,” will cover the benefits of physical activity and tips for adopting our own strategies as well as local resources. It will be presented by Christopher Pevia, fitness coordinator at Moore County Senior Enrichment Center. The second session, “Easy and Healthy Meal Prep,” will cover guidelines for nutrition and healthy eating that are achievable with easy meal prep. It will be presented by Felicia Everts, Culinary Arts instructor at Sandhills Community College.
Part two will take place on Friday, March 22. The first session is “Tai Chi.” Physical activity is a valuable part of any overall body wellness plan and is associated with a lower risk of cognitive decline. Tai Chi, in particular, provides not only physical benefits but overall stress reduction. The second session, “Horticultural Delights,” will cover therapeutic benefits of working in nature and highlight upcoming day trips to local gardens.
Anyone interested in learning more tips for healthy aging is welcome to attend. Registrants may attend both dates or just the one that fits best their schedule and interests. All the sessions include lunch, resource packets and local resource exhibits. Check-in will open at 11:30 a.m. Registration is required for planning purposes. To sign up, call the Moore County Senior Enrichment Center at (910) 947-4483.
“The Moore County Senior Enrichment Center is grateful to the Moore County Community Foundation for the grant that enables us to partner with the Alzheimer’s Association to provide this series,” said Alveda Person, Family Caregiver Advisor at the Moore County Department of Aging. “We are proud to be an integral part of a healthy community by offering social engagement and lifelong learning.”
Currently, there are more than 369,000 caregivers in North Carolina providing care to more than 180,000 living with Alzheimer’s. In Moore County, there is a 12.1% Alzheimer’s disease prevalence rate in the age 65 and older population.
Additional Facts and Figures: (alz.org/facts)
An estimated 6.7 million Americans age 65 and older are living with Alzheimer’s dementia, including 180,000 North Carolina residents, a number estimated to grow to as many as 210,000 by 2025.
Nationally, more than 11 million caregivers of people with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias. In North Carolina, 369,000 caregivers provide a total of 533 million hours of unpaid care, valued at a total of $8 billion.
One in three seniors dies with Alzheimer’s or other dementia.
Nearly two-thirds of those with Alzheimer’s — 3.9 million — are women.
Older non-Hispanic Blacks and Hispanic Americans are disproportionately more likely than older whites to have Alzheimer’s or other dementias.
Contributed/Courtesy photo
