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SuperAging in the News

What Makes SuperAgers Stay Healthy for so Long? |Science Friday

A common worry among older adults is how their brains and bodies might decline as they age. A small but fortunate group will live past their 95th birthdays, while staying cognitively sharp and free of major health complications. They’re called “SuperAgers.”Researchers are working to figure out some of the genetic factors behind SuperAgers’ longevity—and how that knowledge might help the rest of the population live longer and healthier lives.

Unlocking the Secrets of SuperAgers with Emily Rogalski | Big Brains Podcast

We used to think aging inevitably led to memory loss, but a small group of people—known as SuperAgers—are defying the odds. These individuals, all over 80, have the memory performance of someone in the 50s. The question is: how?

One of the leading experts studying SuperAgers is University of Chicago neurologist Emily Rogalski. She explores the fascinating science behind SuperAgers—uncovering what makes their physical brains different and how their lifestyle choices could be the key to a having a sharper, healthier brain well into old age.

Chicago Hyde Park Village Celebrates 10 Years

Fourteen years ago, 35 people crammed into Susan Alitto’s Hyde Park living room with a plan to form a “village” for older adults to help each other age in their own homes. “People realized that as we got older, we did want to stay in our own homes, but we probably would need some help,” said Alitto of the group. At the time, Alitto was 75-years-old and semi-retired, working part-time. Soon, she found herself working full-time for the Village.

How to increase your odds of becoming a 'SuperAger'

In a relatively new field, researchers are examining what contributes to people in their 80s and 90s having stronger brain power than their peers. Many are wondering if those findings can be distilled into a longevity routine or pill to help everyone become a SuperAger. Is it possible to increase your odds of becoming a SuperAger? 

She's still busy at 105. How do Canada's 'super agers' keep going?

The 105-year-old Levack, Not., woman spends Tuesday afternoons in town playing with her friends at the golden age club, often bringing home-baked treats to share with her friends. Charlebois is an avid reader and loves to sew. She makes hats for babies at the nearby hospital – having picked up knitting as a new hobby when she was 100 years old.

Is London a Blue Zone? Scientific evidence says maybe.

What do Jack Kerr, Janet Smith (a pseudonym for privacy), Jean Hewitt and Dolores Shackelton have in common? Through all are presently Londoners, they were born in different places, come from diverse backgrounds and have dissimilar work histories. Despite those differences, they all love to read, all have a positive view on life and are over the age of 80. They aren’t personally acquainted but all are contributing to science in a new and exciting way – participating in the SuperAging Research Initiative at Western University. 

A Peek Inside the Brains of 'Super-Agers' | New York Times

Most research on aging and memory focuses on the other side of the equation – people who develop dementia in their later years. But, “if we’re constantly talking about what’s going wrong in aging, it’s not capturing the full spectrum of what’s happening in the older adult population,” said Emily Rogalski, a professor of neurology at the University of Chicago, who published one of the first studies on super-agers in 2012.

Ask an Expert | June Scott, Travel Enthusiast

Scott, 92, has visited more than 100 different countries in pursuit of her globetrotting passion for experiencing other cultures. She credits her late husband with instilling in her a sense of adventure before he passed away 25 years ago.

Study finds more clues as to why 'SuperAgers' have better brains | CNN

In the largest observational study to date on “SuperAgers” — people in their 80s who have brains as sharp as those 30 years younger — researchers in Spain found key differences in lifestyle that may contribute to these older adults’ razor-sharp minds.

Inside the Mind of Super Agers | AARP

Some people in their 80s and 90s show shockingly little decline in their brainpower. Scientists are beginning to understand what makes them different and how the rest of us might benefit.

Unlocking the secrets of SuperAgers |Michigan Today

SuperAgeres are showing us it’s possible to enjoy quality cognition as we age.

Unlocking the secrets of 'SuperAgers' | Western Alumni Magazine

A pioneering study at Western is set to explore Canadian individuals in their 80s, 90s and beyond who retain remarkable cognitive capacities — those known as ‘SuperAgers’

What We Can Learn from SuperAgers | BottomLineInc

Why do so many older people experience age-related memory loss? Why do so many develop dementia? Researchers have devoted tremendous amounts of times and money to study of cognitive decline over the years… but far less attention is paid to the flip side of these questions – why do some older people not experience age-related memory loss or dementia?

At 109, education pioneer Edith Renfrow reflects on 'The greatest century we have seen' | WGNTV

Edith Renfrow Smith is about to turn 109 years old, and as she sits down in a leather chair in the dining room at a senior home, she’s ready to talk about everything, just don’t ask her how she’s feeling. 

All the right moves: Middle Tennessee woman shares secrets to SuperAging

Scientist are working to uncover the secrets of this small, elite group of people over 80 whose memory still functions as well as that of someone in their 50s or 60s.

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