Begins with having a cognitive reserve! Think of cognitive reserve as your brain’s ability to improvise and find alternative ways to get a job done. It reflects how agile your brain is at drawing on skills and capacities to solve problems and cope with challenges. Cognitive reserve is developed by your lifetime of education and curiosity. A “cognitive backup plan” is your brain being like a well-used walking path, rather than a network of trails in a park. If you…
About 1 in 3 adults ages 60–85 say they feel lonely or socially isolated, according to the National Poll on Healthy Aging published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Those managing chronic health or emotional challenges often feel it even more deeply. Loneliness can dangerously grow during life transitions—retirement, the loss of a spouse or close friends, or living farther from family. While these changes are common, ongoing loneliness is not something to ignore. It can affect both…
“Bright Brain Living is about choosing joy, movement, and connection each day — simple steps that keep your mind strong, your body energized, and your spirit thriving.”
Radical acceptance simply means fully acknowledging the reality of a situation without constantly resisting it. It does not mean you approve of the situation or that you give up. Instead, it means recognizing what is true right now so you can respond with clarity and calm. For example, a person may not like that their knees hurt or that they can no longer drive at night. Radical acceptance means saying, “This is the situation I’m in today.” Once we stop…
Many older adults live long, active lives while managing several health conditions. Yet, their adult children often don’t fully understand their health situation until a crisis occurs. A fall, emergency room visit, or hospital stay can suddenly force families to make fast, stressful decisions without clear guidance. Many are living long enough for our adult children to have health issues. Open communication helps everyone. When families talk ahead of time, parents are more likely to have their wishes respected, and…
Your heart works for you every moment of every day. As we age, keeping it healthy becomes one of the most important ways to protect independence, energy, and quality of life. Heart health isn’t just about avoiding a heart attack or a stroke. A strong heart supports brain health, mobility, and stamina. It helps you stay active in our community and enjoy your day. Most Important. You need movement — often, gently, and consistently. Regular physical activity strengthens the heart…
Your heart works quietly every day—this article helps you recognize the small, important victories you can make each day. Your heart works nonstop, every day of your life. As we age, protecting heart health is one of the best ways to protect independence, energy, and quality of life—especially during winter. Heart health is not just about avoiding a heart attack or stroke. A strong heart supports brain health, balance, stamina, and recovery from illness. It helps you stay active, social,…
Your heart works nonstop, every day of your life. As we age, protecting heart health is one of the best ways to protect independence, energy, and quality of life—especially during winter. Heart health is not just about avoiding a heart attack or stroke. A strong heart supports brain health, balance, stamina, and recovery from illness. It helps you stay active, social, and engaged in your community. The good news is that small, steady habits still work—at any age. Research shows…
February is American Heart Month, a perfect time to pause and give some extra attention to the organ that works hardest for you—your heart. As we age, heart health becomes about much more than avoiding disease. It’s about protecting energy, independence, brain health, and the ability to enjoy daily life. Throughout this month, HealthShare will be sharing four practical, easy-to-follow articles, each focused on a simple way to support your heart—through awareness, movement, nutrition, and everyday choices. No extreme changes….