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THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, NOVEmbER 7, 2025 Page 25 Sa nir Sa a y Senior Seni by Jim Miller How to Stave Off Cognitive Decline as You Age Dear Savvy Senior, Are there any proven strategies to preventing cognitive decline? I have a family history of dementia and worry about my own memory and cognitive abilities as I grow older. Forgetful at 55 Dear Forgetful, For most people, starting in their fi fties and sixties, the brain’s ability to remember names, multi-task or learn something new starts declining. While our genes (which we can’t control) play a key role in determining our cognitive aging, our general health (which we do have some control over) plays a big factor too. Here are some healthy lifestyle strategies – recommended by medical experts – you can employ that can help stave off cognitive loss and maybe even build a stronger brain. Manage health problems: Studies have shown that cognitive problems are related to health conditions, like diabetes, heart disease and even depression. So, if you have high blood pressure, high cholesterol or diabetes you need to treat them with lifestyle changes and medication (if necessary) and get them under control. And if you have a history of depression, talk to your doctor about treatment options. Exercise: Aerobic exercise increases blood fl ow to all parts of your body, including your brain, to keep the brain cells well nourished. So, choose an aerobic activity you enjoy like walking, cycling, dancing, swimming, etc., that elevates your heart rate and do it for at least 30 to 40 minutes three times a week. Eat healthy: A heart-healthy diet, like the Mediterranean diet, will also help protect the brain. A Mediterranean diet includes relatively little red meat and emphasizes whole grains, fruits and vegetables, fi sh and shellfi sh, and nuts, olive oil and other healthy fats. Also keep processed foods and sweets to a minimum. Get plenty of sleep: Quality, restful sleep contributes to brain health too. Typically, adults should get between seven and nine hours of sleep daily. If you have persistent problems sleeping, you need to identify and address the problem. Medications, late-night exercise and alcohol can interfere with sleep quality and length, as can arthritis pain, sleep apnea and restless leg syndrome. If you need help, make an appointment with a sleep specialist who will probably recommend an overnight diagnostic sleep test. Challenge your mind: Some research suggests that mind challenging activities can help improve memory, and slow age-related mental decline. But be aware that these activities consist of things you aren’t accustomed to doing. In other words, crossword puzzles aren’t enough to challenge your brain, if you’re already a regular puzzle doer. Instead, you need to pick up a new skill like learning to dance, play a musical instrument, study a new language or do math problems – something that’s challenging and a little outside your comfort zone. Brain-training websites like Lumosity, Elevate and Peak are good mind exercising tools because they continually adapt to your skill level to keep you challenged. Socializing and interacting with other people is another important way to stimulate the brain. So, make a point to reach out and stay connected to friends, family and neighbors. Join a club, take a class or even volunteer – anything that enhances your social life. Don’t smoke or drink: Smoking and regular alcohol consumption both aff ect the brain in a negative way, so kick the habit if you smoke and, if you drink, do so only occasionally. Check your eyes and ears: A growing body of evidence shows that vision and hearing loss, which aff ects brain stimulation, can also increase the risk of cognitive decline. So, get your eyes and ears checked regularly and treat any issues promptly. Reduce stress: Some stress is good for the brain, but too much can be toxic. There’s evidence that things like mindfulness meditation, yoga and tai chi are all good ways to help reduce stress. Send your questions or comments to questions@savvysenior.org, or to Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070. nior ior BEACON | FROM PAGE 24 Teachers Massachusetts President Jessica Tang has her doubts about parts of the bill. “As passed today, this bill establishes a limited, blanket curriculum that is concerning, particularly to veteran educators who have developed rich and eff ective evidence-based literacy curriculum over the years,” said Tang. “Even more concerning is that it bans important, proven tools our educators currently use and use successfully, particularly with our English language learners and students with special needs. As educators, we fully support evidence-based literacy curriculum. We also know that it will take more than just curriculum for our students to fully thrive as they progress from learning to read to reading to learn.” Tang continued, “Even though we have concerns, we are pleased that the bill passed today includes key provisions we were proud to advocate for, including reporting and tracking measures, expanding funding opportunities for critical positions and establishing a commission to continue the important work to advance literacy in the commonwealth. We will continue to work with legislative and state allies on this issue and we look forward to seeing what comes out of the Senate.” (A “Yes” vote is for the bill.) Rep. Joseph McGonagle Yes STUDY EDUCATION WORKFORCE IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS (H 4672) House 132-22, approved an amendment to a bill that would provide a framework for the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) to identify and approve a list of high-quality curricula that school districts will select from for kindergarten through third grade literacy. The amendment would provide that DESE, the Massachusetts Teachers Association, the American Federation of Teachers Massachusetts, the Massachusetts Association of School Committees and the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents study and make recommendations about the education workforce in public school districts in the area of reading and literacy development. Rep. Marjorie Decker (D-Cambridge), the sponsor of the amendment, did not off er any arguments in favor of her amendment during debate on the House fl oor. She also did not respond to repeated requests by Beacon Hill Roll Call asking her why she sponsored the amendment. “I opposed this amendment because it would hand groups such as the Massachusetts Teachers Association and American Federation of Teachers an outsized role in determining how schools staff their literacy and reading workforce,” said Rep. Brad Jones (R-North Reading). “These groups were opposed to this bill in its entirety; thus, it would be counterproductive to have them play such a prominent role in producing those recommendations.” (A “Yes” vote is for the amendment. A “No” vote is against it.) Rep. Joseph McGonagle Yes SCHOOL DISTRICTS MUST REPORT ANNUALLY (H 4672) House 133-22, approved an amendment requiring that each school district report annually to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education the number of reading specialists, reading interventionists, literacy coordinators, school librarians, library aides, education support professionals and other staff employed by the district that directly support student reading and literacy development. Rep. Marjorie Decker (D-Cambridge), the sponsor of the amendment again did not off er any arguments in favor of her amendment during debate on the House fl oor. She also did not respond to repeated requests by Beacon Hill Roll Call asking her why she sponsored the amendment. “I opposed this amendment because it imposes an unfunded reporting mandate on school districts at a time when cities and towns are facing increased fi nancial constraints,” said Rep. Brad Jones (R-North Reading). “Also, there are already extensive reporting requirements included in the underlying bill, so this would only add to that burden.” (A “Yes” vote is for the amendment. A “No” vote is against it.) Rep. Joseph McGonagle Yes ALSO UP ON BEACON HILL THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN AND SNAP AND OTHER BENEFITS AND PROGRAMS – The Senate approved two separate measures urging action from the state and federal government to provide funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) - the federal food security program that provides food to more than 40 million United States residents, including 1 million residents of Massachusetts. The fi rst one is a resolution that urges President Trump and the Massachusetts Congressional delegation to use BEACON | SEE PAGE 26

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