A really fascinating article today in the NYT’s about the “super-memory” study of the 1 in 200 people who make it to 90 with their cognition largely in tact. And the 1 in 600 who make it to 95 without a diagnosis of dementia. The study of these folks by USC and UC Irivine is [...]
Archive for the ‘cultural phenom’ Category
Bridge Game Irony
Posted in cultural phenom, disability, science of memory, tagged 90+ study, alzheimer's, cards, memory loss, super-memory on May 22, 2009 | 1 Comment »
Episode One: HBO’s Alzheimer’s Project
Posted in art, cultural phenom, disability, film, public education, tagged alzheimer's, creativity and dementia, episode one, HBO Alzheimer's Project on May 11, 2009 | 1 Comment »
I didn’t hate it! Nick Doob is a phenomenal cameraman – and he and Shari Cookson directed and produced this episode. I’m a little baised on that front, he has worked with my husband on a couple of films as well…so I admit that warmed me up for this episode. Here are my thoughts as [...]
“Hope at the expense of caution”: NYT’s reviews HBO’s Alzheimer’s Project
Posted in cultural phenom, film, medicine, public education, tagged alzheimer's, forget memory, HBO Alzheimer's Project, memory loss, NYT's review on May 9, 2009 | 2 Comments »
I’ll watch the HBO series with an open heart and mind – I swear I will. But the reviews are certainly daunting. The whole point of Forget Memory is that there is MORE to Alzheimer’s than tragedy. That there is HOPE in science, but there is also HOPE in human beings – in our ability [...]
Transforming Activities in Long Term Care
Posted in art, cultural phenom, disability, music, public education, tagged Activities, alzheimer's, david greenberger, dementia, HBO Alzheimer's Project, long term care, meaningful, memory loss, Think Tank on May 6, 2009 | 4 Comments »
Activities. The word makes me think of things people don’t really want to do, but are coaxed into. The word seems a cold categorization of things that keep us busy and not thinking about other things…things that we might not have anymore. I’m neck deep in thinking about “activities” now as I prepare for the [...]
The Pre-Game to HBO’s Alzheimer’s Documentaries
Posted in cultural phenom, disability, film, public education, science of memory, tagged alzheimer's, David Shenk, dementia, film, HBO Alzheimer's, Maria Shriver, Naomi Boak, NYTs Magazine, peter whitehouse on May 1, 2009 | 2 Comments »
And now we learn, in the 2 weeks before the release of HBO’s new Alzheimer’s Project on May 10th, that Maria Shriver is an executive producer. She’s making the press rounds to promote the project now – I’ve seen her last Sunday’s NYT’s Magazine and this article and interview in AARP’s mag. I am reminded [...]
Social Isolation as Torture?
Posted in cultural phenom, disability, tagged Atul Gawande, dementia, isolation, memory loss, torture on April 28, 2009 | 1 Comment »
I first started reading Atul Gawande’s piece on solitary confinement in the New Yorker because 1) I pretty much love anything he writes, and 2) I love picking up the New Yorker and falling down rabbit holes of fascinating research and beautifully written tales. But pretty quickly I realized this article has implications for long [...]
Cognitive Enhancement in the Age of Dementia
Posted in cultural phenom, disability, history of memory, public education, science of memory, tagged adderall, carl elliott, memory loss, neuro enhancers, peter whitehouse on April 25, 2009 | 2 Comments »
I just read a fascinating article called “Brain Gain” in the most recent New Yorker. At first blush, one might not connect the stories of college students (or professional poker-players) taking “neuro-enhancers” like Adderall for a cognitive boost with concerns over memory loss. But raising for bar for “normal” cognition creates greater pressure and worry [...]
Stigma and Worry Worsens Memory
Posted in cultural phenom, science of memory, tagged aging, memory tests, stigma of memory loss on April 22, 2009 |
Saw an interesting article today based on a study from NC State. Dr Tom Hess found that older adults performed worse on memory tests if negative stereotypes about aging were activated. Stigma and fear over how one is being perceived really do make a difference…
Song from HBO Trailer
Posted in cultural phenom, disability, film, music, tagged HBO Alzheimer's song on April 20, 2009 |
I’m seeing lots of traffic of people looking for who sings the song on the trailer to the HBO series on Alzheimer’s. It’s Gary Jules. Here’s a youtube clip.
