2 February 2012

Mind games may keep you young

Australian researchers say daily mental exercises can give over 50s the brain performance of people several years younger and may also keep them in the workforce longer.

A group of 34 people aged 53-75 who took part in a clinical trial at Melbourne’s Swinburne University of Technology showed improvements of around 10 per cent in mental processing speed after completing a US online brain-training program.

Swinburne Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience Con Stough said the improved speed was similar to the performance of a younger brain and if the study results could be replicated on a larger scale, they could have important implications for both older workers and retirees.

“A major societal health issue for an ageing population is not only the greater incidence of neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease, but also the impact of normal age-related cognitive decline,” he said.

Many people stayed in the workforce longer for economic reasons, so it was important they did not leave it prematurely for cognitive reasons.

“We want them to be as active as possible as they get older and continue to enjoy the world and continue to engage in our community.”

Professor Stough will be presenting his findings at the Brain Health and Natural Medicine conference on 6 and 7 February 2012.

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National Seniors' priorities for Queensland election

Queenslanders will be heading to the polls on 24 March.

In the lead up to election day, National Seniors will be raising a number of issues with both parties, including:

• Reducing the eligibility age for the Seniors Card to 60 years old, in keeping with that of other states which is currently 65.
• Increasing daily subsidies for accommodation from the present $30 to at least $60 and raising the travel component of the Patient Travel Subsidy Scheme to 30 cents per kilometre from the current 15 cents per kilometre.
• Reducing stamp duty on the sales of seniors’ homes when they downsize, freeing up larger homes for families.
• Increasing the availability of dental care to seniors, particularly those in nursing homes.
• Pegging seniors’ concessions on electricity, water, rates and sewerage charges to the rate of inflation.

Watch this space.

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Young at Heart film festival

Young at Heart, the NSW Seniors Film Festival, will be back next month for its seventh year running, with National Seniors co-sponsoring the event for the second time.

A major attraction during NSW Seniors Week, Young at Heart is Australia’s only film festival aimed at older film lovers, with discounted tickets available for seniors.

Dendy Opera Quays will feature three cinematic classics from 1972, including Hitchcock’s Frenzy, Liza Minnelli in Cabaret and Maggie Smith in Travels with my Aunt as part of the 13 screenings at the venue between 22 and 25 March.

There will also be screenings at the Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre in western Sydney and in 23 regional centres around NSW.

For the full program, visit their website.

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Aviation journalist speaks to National Seniors in Perth

National Seniors members and their guests in Perth who want an update on what’s happening in the airline industry are invited to hear an address by journalist Geoffrey Thomas, who writes for The West Australian.

Thomas will speak at the Floreat and Districts branch meeting at 9.45am on Thursday 9 February at Mt Claremont Community Centre, Montgomery Avenue, Mt Claremont, Perth.

Parking is available and morning tea will be served.

For more information call John on (08) 9446 4510.

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Blog - Vege wars - are they really good for you?

Coles has ramped up its battle with Woolworths for the consumer dollar, announcing its supermarkets will slash the price of fruit and vegetables.

A bumper summer season in many areas has seen a glut of some produce on the market. But will consumers expect the discounts to continue when the oversupply has ended?

And will the buying policies of the major supermarket chains force more struggling farmers to the wall, perhaps leading to future shortages as quality suppliers become scarcer?

Are you buying the cheaper supermarket fruit and veges, or do you prefer to shop at your local greengrocer, farmers’ market – or even grow your own?

Have your say on the blog.