Friday, November 30, 2012

Music to the Ears: It’s Great for the Brain



Music has been explored as a way to encourage social interaction, encourage self-expression, and enhance the overall well-being of those who fight illnesses such as Alzeimer’s, dementia, memory loss, and other cognitive impairments.

Many find it fascinating that individuals with memory loss and cognitive impairments are able to sing a song in its entirety despite the fact that they are unable to have a complete conversation or remember the names of common things or even the names of their family members. While no one knows for sure why this is possible, experts have suggested that it might be that musical activities are unique because they require use of every area of the brain.

People feel connected and have an increased sense of belonging. Music brings about a feeling of independence and individuals enjoy life day-to-day and gain a greater sense of fulfillment. Music also allows individuals with cognitive impairments to express themselves and engage in activity that brings focus and the chance to be completely immersed in something that interests them.
Many research studies indicate that musical activities have several positive benefits. People are reported to have better moods, be more sociable, eat better, and react more calmly to stressors. Experts say it’s the “cognitive workout” for the brain that brings on these positive traits.

So, with all the great benefits that music has for your health, why not take advantage of Lifelong Learning’s Winter Opening Week?

We have a variety of programs that include music, such as:


  •  JudeoJazzistico with Aaron Kula and the Klezmer Company Orchestra on Monday, January 7, 2013 at 7:30 p.m.
  •  The Prester Piano Duo in Concert: A Program of Four-Hand Piano Music featuring Robert and Marcia Prester on Wednesday, January 9, 2013 at 2 p.m.
  •  Songs That Made History with Rod MacDonald & the Humdingers on Thursday, January 10, 2013 at 7 p.m.
  •  Ragtime Revisited: A Look Back presented by Robert Milne on Saturday, January 12, 2013 at 2 p.m.

To view additional programs during our 2013 Winter Opening Week, visit www.llsjupiter.com.

Friday, November 9, 2012

The Last Resort in the Catskills




When the idea to bring in the documentary film, Welcome to Kutsher's: The Last Catskills Resort, was presented to Lifelong Learning I had to do a little research as my knowledge of Catskill resorts was limited. I was familiar with the Dirty Dancing-era Catskills experience, but I was unaware of how it changed American pop culture in the comedy, sports and vacation industries. This documentary captures a last glimpse of a lost world as it vanishes before our eyes.

The Kutsher's Country Club is the last surviving Jewish resort in the Catskills. One of the legendary Borscht Belt hotels during its heyday, Kutsher's has been family-owned and operated for over 100 years. In 1907, Max Kutsher founded Kutsher's Country Club, the Catskills resort that (as legend has it) inspired the film “Dirty Dancing,” employed Wilt Chamberlin as a bellhop before he played for the NBA and launched the careers of stand-up comedians like Billy Crystal and Jerry Seinfeld. 

Award-winning filmmakers Caroline and Ian Rosenberg illustrate how Kutsher's thrived at the center of all this growth and excitement. This film premiered at The New York Jewish Film Festival at Lincoln Center and won the Best Documentary Audience Award at the Miami Jewish Film Festival in 2012. Lifelong Learning is excited to bring this award winning film to the FAU community during the 2013 winter semester. The filmmakers will introduce the film before the screening and afterwards answer questions about their experience making the documentary over the last five years.

This film shows how the Catskills left an indelible mark on popular culture — from comedy to sports to everything we take for granted as standard fare on a family vacation.

To register and learn more about this one-time screening at FAU's Lifelong Learning Society in Jupiter, visit www.llsjupiter.com.








Sunday, November 4, 2012

Brain Training: It’s Never Too Late To Start!



While age is something that we cannot control, we can certainly control its effects on our body and our health. Aging often brings some issues with bones, muscles and memory. Therefore, it is important to not only exercise your body, but to exercise your brain as well!

The American College of Sports Medicine and the American Heart Association set guidelines for the exercise of older adults. The basic recommendation is 30 minutes of aerobic exercise five days a week with some muscle-strengthening activity for healthy aging. As people age, they also tend to challenge their brain less frequently. As a result, they are not able to maintain the mental sharpness they once utilized. The statement: "If you don't use it, you lose it" holds some real truth in this case.

Part of Lifelong Learning’s mission is to keep your mind active, but we also know that physical activity is important too. So, why should you exercise your brain as often as you exercise your body? Below are some very good reasons to start those brain exercises today.

  • Just like brushing your teeth, or going for a walk in the morning, it is wise to spend just a few minutes a day investing in your mind. Brain fitness should be incorporated regularly. You may notice a great difference after only one week or so!
  • The mind is much more capable of self expansion than we think! Recent studies indicate that the mind is malleable and physically grows and shapes with proper stimulation. New neuron connections are literally created and old neuron pathways are reinforced.

The good news is that it's never too late to start exercising your brain. In fact, the mind can always grow and expand. Seniors today can utilize mental exercises regularly that can have long lasting positive results on their brain and lifestyle.

Friday, October 26, 2012

Ten Ways to Keep Your Brain Healthy




Lifelong Learning is always promoting the benefits that come with participating in lifelong learning programs. Keeping your brain sharp and preventing mental decline involves more than just the brain itself. Healthy practices in many areas of life will help you keep your brain, as well as your body, in tip top shape. Here are 10 easy ways to help keep your brain healthy now and prevent illnesses later:

1.               Lead an active life.  Regular exercise helps prevents memory problems that often come with aging. Physical activity can actually improve the brain function of people with mild cognitive impairment.

2.               Exercise your brain. Take lifelong learning classes! An active brain stays sharp and continues to produce new connections between nerve cells. Studies have shown the benefits of regularly working crosswords and other brain challenges.  Other things to consider are reading, playing games such as chess, and learning a new hobby. 

3.               Get a sufficient amount of sleep. According to the National Sleep Foundation, adults need between seven and nine hours of sleep each night.  Sleep enables the body and brain to heal and recharge so that you are healthier and are able to think more clearly.  Sleep also helps you have a better long-term memory.

4.               Eat a healthy diet.  A diet that is low in saturated fats, sugar, bleached white flour and junk foods and which has an abundance of colorful fruits and veggies will keep your brain healthy as well as keeping your body trim and protect you against diseases such as cancer, diabetes and heart disease.

5.               Include plenty of antioxidants in your diet. Numerous studies have shown that a diet rich in antioxidants helps prevent and slow age-related declines in memory and learning. Among the very best sources of antioxidants are blueberries, dark grapes and pomegranates.

6.               Avoid and manage stress.  Stress can damage your brain by releasing destructive hormones.  Some of the best ways to manage stress include simplifying your life, avoiding stressful situations, volunteering for an organization you care about-how about Lifelong Learning? And, utilizing special techniques such as yoga and meditation.

7.               Integrate plenty of essential omega-3 fatty acids in your diet. Omega-3s help to guard the brain against age-related decline and maintain proper brain function throughout life.  Some of the best omega-3 sources include fatty cold water fish such as tuna, sardines, mackerel, and herring.

8.               Make time to be social! Interacting with other Lifelong Learning members keeps your brain active and sharpens thinking.

9.               Quit smoking. According to the Mayo Clinic, smokers have twice the risk of developing Alzheimer's.  Even people who have smoked for years can reduce their risk of memory problems by quitting.

10.            Only have one drink at happy hour. While low to moderate amounts of alcohol, especially red wine, have been shown to protect against heart disease and cancer, heavy drinking (more than 14 drinks each week) actually shrinks brains.

Friday, October 19, 2012

It’s Time to Get Online Savvy Seniors



More than half of U.S. adults over the age of 65 are online, from surfing the web to checking email, a new study suggests. Pew Internet & American Life Project found that 53% of seniors use the Internet. Although this demographic is still less likely to go online than younger age groups, it shows that this population is going online more than ever before.

If this is true, then Lifelong Learning’s Facebook page should have more fans. What is holding you back from jumping on the social media bandwagon? A fear of technology? Identity theft? Or, that your old high school sweetheart may find you? 

I have heard numerous excuses over the past few years from lifelong learners, such as “it’s too complicated for me” or maybe “I’ll get my grandchildren to explain it.” Regardless of the reason given, some of you are avoiding the new technologies that can add to the quality of your – and even your families’ – lives out of fear.

Facebook may have started as a site for traditional college aged students, but the fastest growing group of Facebook users today is seniors. So, don't be afraid to learn about and use some of the wonderful new social media and technological gadgets that come out in our society. There are numerous free classes that libraries and local high schools offer to teach you how to use these resourceful sites and devices.  Many of them make our lives a little easier, others stimulate our brains and then others are just for pure enjoyment. Don't be fearful and think that you'll never get the hang of it. Of course it's important to have someone in your life that has the willingness and patience to teach you how to become familiar with all these gadgets. It is also important to be careful about the information that you do put on the internet, so just make sure you're open to learning new things and take your time. Remember also to take notes to refer to when you get stuck. Pretty soon this will become a part of your everyday life. 

You can start now by finding us on Facebook by searching- Florida Atlantic University Lifelong Learning Society-Jupiter. See you online!

Friday, October 12, 2012

Access Denied: When Education is Prohibited



This past week, while working on a program that will be presented in the spring semester for the Lifelong Learning Society, I discovered that the denial of higher education in other countries is extremely prevalent. While I was not necessarily shocked that students are being denied education, I was taken aback by the lengths that these students will proceed to obtain a denied education and the atrocities that they endure.

The right to education has been universally recognized since the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948 and has since been preserved in various international conventions, national constitutions and development plans. However, while the vast majority of countries have signed up to, and approved, these rights, far fewer have integrated these rights into their national constitutions or provided the legislative and administrative frameworks to ensure that these rights are practiced. The right exists in theory but there is no way to apply this right in practice. Today, the right to education is still denied to millions around the world.

Therefore, if people have access to education they can develop the skills, capability and confidence to obtain other rights. Education gives people the ability to gain information specifying the rights that they hold, and government’s obligations. It assists people to develop the communication skills to demand these rights, the confidence to speak in an assortment of assemblies, and the ability to work with government officials and power holders. In addition, an educated adult population is imperative for strong economic development. It also sets the groundwork for better overall economic productivity, and the use of new technologies for development. 

Education can have several definitions because people can choose to become educated for many different reasons; increase knowledge, improve self-confidence, pursue a dream or educate others. It does not matter what the reason is, the main objective is that an education is to reach goals that will help people better themselves in a variety of ways. Now imagine what the world would be like without education. Are we already there?