Research

Memory loss in old age, ways to support it topic of upcoming community lecture

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UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Foxdale Village will host “Memory As We Age,” as part of the Healthy Aging Community Lecture Series, at 10 a.m. on Oct. 12 at Foxdale Village, 500 E. Marylyn Ave., State College.

The lecture will be presented by Nancy Dennis, associate professor of psychology at Penn State.

Dennis will discuss cognitive aging as a key component to aging well, and what happens to brain and memory storage as people age. Dennis will also outline strategies to support and enhance memory into old age.

“Memory plays an important role in our lives and our ability to function across various situations. It allows us to remember skills we have learned like how to drive a car or play a piano. It allows us to recognize family members and loved ones as well as important people such as doctors,” Dennis said.

Memory research can help doctors understand how these processes unfold, as well as what accounts for memory loss and memory errors, and ways to potentially improve memory, she said.

“There is a good amount of evidence out there showing memory declines in aging,” Dennis said. “However, there are many types of memory, and not all memory shows decline. Being able to understand memory in aging — in loss as well as ways to improve it — will allow older adults to function independently longer. Also, understanding differences between memory changes in healthy aging is critical for distinguishing normal aging from changes that require medical interventions, such as Alzheimer's disease.”

A continental breakfast will be available starting at 9:15 a.m. Attendance is free but reservations are required. To make a reservation for the October lecture, call 814-865-4776 or email healthyaging@psu.edu.

The lecture series is a community partnership developed and sponsored by the Penn State Center for Healthy Aging, The Village at Penn State, Foxdale Village, Juniper Village at Brookline, Penn State Bookstore, and Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Penn State.

The next lecture will be, “The Future of Medicare,” presented by Mark Sciegaj, professor of health policy and administration at Penn State, on Nov. 9 at the Central PA Visitors Bureau, 800 E. Park Ave., State College.

To see details on the upcoming lectures, for more information on the series or parking, call 814-865-4776 or visit healthyaging.psu.edu.

Last Updated September 15, 2017

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