An important obstacle we confront in our Quest for Qualongevity - our effort to maintain quality-of-life across a long lifespan - is ageism. In this episode, we take a stab at defining ageism. We focus our discussion of ageism around three defining aspects of this "ism" cited by The World Health Organization: stereotyping, prejudice and discrimination against people because of their age.
This is a reading of an article written by Michael C. Patterson for the magazine 3rd Act: Aging With Confidence. It explores why humor and mirth exist and how they strengthen our brains and minds.
In this episode, we ask how negative age stereotypes develop and are perpetuated. With stereotyping, an “in-group” (young adults) tends to define and perpetuate a negative image of an “out-group” (older adults). Becca Levy’s Stereotype Embodiment Theory suggests that we acquire age stereotypes about old people when we are children and reinforce them during adulthood. As younger adults become older adults, they inevitably lose thei...
According to researcher Becca Levy of Yale, current social trends should indicate that ageist attitudes would be on the decline. There is evidence, however, that the opposite has true. Ageist attitudes are worse and more pervasive now than they were two centuries ago. Why should that be the case and what can we do about it?
How can you optimize your chances of living long and living well? By 1) protecting and strengthening your brain; and, 2) by mindfully managing the workings of your mind.
In this introductory episode, we introduce you to two new words that play a big role in the MINDRAMP Method for promoting healthy brains and creative minds.
The first word we invented is 'Qualongevity." It merges two important concepts: 1) the effort to inc...
One of MINDRAMP’s guiding principles is that effective interventions for multi-factorial conditions - like premature aging and dementia - require multi-factorial interventions. Decline, disease and debility are caused by multiple factors. Each one of the factors must be addressed, in combination, to have a significant impact on the health of your brain and the wellbeing of your mind. (See the episode on The CogWheels of Brain Healt...
Art Kempf struggled with dementia and a loss of meaning until Roger and Art’s wife got him to a wear his navy uniform at a Tommy Dorsey concert during their salute to the military. Art’s patriot salute to the music transformed him and the people around him.
Like the memory mining techniques, people’s reminiscences and reflections about their past lives can suggest topics for activities that help them to engage more fully with their present lives.
In this Science Update episode, MINDRAMP reviews two new research reports. One adds to our understanding of why what is good for the heart is good for the brain. The second piece of research reinforces the evidence that higher levels of education provide protection against cognitive decline, even across racial lines.
This episode explores a number of techniques that help you tap into people’s memories and reflections about past passions that, once rekindled, have the power to renew people’s spirits and get them re-engaged with the present.
In this episode, we ask you whether you want to live to be 100 years old? Your answer tells you something about how you think about old age. Qualongevity is the term that describes not only living long, but also learning to live well as we age. We explore both aspects of this concept - longevity and quality of life.
Hiram was remote and withdrawn until Roger did some "memory mining" around their shared passion for baseball. As Hiram reminisced about his past a fascinating story about his past were revealed.
Roger Anunsen shares his thoughts about the brain health benefits of learning to savor life’s simple pleasures.
The simple act of watching a sunset was made special by encouraging mindfulness and being open to awe.
The Drag Race was a complex activity with many moving parts. But, activities don’t have to be complex to be successful. Often the simplest of activities can have a profound effect on participants.
Every activity involves a beginning, a middle and an end. We often make full use of the activity time but fail to exploit the engagement opportunities available during the preparation stage and the afterglow stage. Learn how to milk all of the benefit you can out of your activities.
Roger Anunsen’s most effective programs started with a focus on the specific needs of a single individual and then expanded to engage and involve a much broader community.
Art Fiskitjohn was grumpy and withdrawn until Roger casually mentioned to him that Marge claimed she could beat him in a scooter race. Learn how a community became energized around a drag race between three older residents of an Assisted Living Facility.
This episode reviews The Hero's Journey as described by mythologist Joseph Campbell in his classic book, THE HERO WITH A THOUSAND FACES. Campbell argues that every culture in the world has a core myth that speaks to the developmental transformations all human beings undergo in the course of their life. We connect the stages of the hero's journey with the stages you go through as you pursue your quest of Qualongevity - your ...
The Virtual Activity Design Program is based on MINDRAMP’s first-in-the-nation college course and textbook called Cognitive Activity Design. A major part of the text and course materials consists of descriptions and analyses of wonderful cognitively stimulating activities Roger designed for an Assisted Living Facility.
The rest of the podcasts in this section feature Roger describing a number of the most memorable and instructive ...