TY  - JOUR
AU  - Friesen, Christopher
AU  - Conder, Alanna
AU  - Conder, Robert
PY  - 2019
DA  - 2019/03/20
TI  - Behavioural and Complementary Interventions for Healthy Neurocognitive Aging
JO  - OBM Geriatrics
SP  - 039
VL  - 03
IS  - 01
AB  - Background:
While the percent of persons 65 and older is expected to increase to 17% of the world’s population by 2050, this increase in longevity does not necessarily suggest a parallel increase in health status. While aging is an inevitable aspect of living, there are factors which can accelerate morbidity and mortality, as well as factors likely to promote a healthy transition into longevity. This paper addresses behavioural and complementary interventions for healthy neurocognitive aging. Specific evidence-based cardiovascular exercise guidelines, sleep hygiene strategies to improve restorative sleep, and dietary modifications to improve brain and heart health are reviewed. Also reviewed are neurofeedback and brain brightening neuromodulation interventions  to limit mental declines often associated with aging, and research evidence tying behavioural and treatment interventions to improved outcomes in older persons with Alzheimer’s and other dementias.

Methods:
Evidenced based perspective paper offered on the basis of clinical neuropsychological experience and review of relevant research literature.

Results:
Evidence-based practice guidelines and research studies addressing behavioral and complementary interventions to support healthy neurocognitive aging were reviewed. Mounting research evidence reviewed herein supports identification of Exercise, Sleep and Diet/Nutrition as core health modifiers for healthy neurocognitive aging. Easy to adopt behavioural interventions as well as some innovative treatment interventions were reviewed to forestall or minimize the normal physical and mental decline often associated with aging. Adjunct activities and interventions such as neurofeedback, neuromodulation, sauna and supplements being investigated also show some promise for healthy neurocognitive aging.

Conclusions:
Normal aging does not inevitably portend acquisition of chronic health problems and faltering mental acuity. As we have attempted to show, avoidance of certain unhealthy habits and behaviors and adoption of healthy habit and behavioural alternatives can foster good mental and neurocognitive health throughout the lifespan.
SN  - 2638-1311
UR  - https://doi.org/10.21926/obm.geriatr.1901039
DO  - 10.21926/obm.geriatr.1901039
ID  - Friesen2019
ER  -