Tuesday, May 24, 2011

In the course of Norma Roth's work, which has encompassed years of experiencing, writing books and studying the aspects of the aging mind, she has developed some strategies for keeping engaged in the process of life mentally. These tactics for getting into our Personal Retrieval System are explained in her book, Aging Gracefully with Dignity, Integrity and Spunk Intact: Aging Defiantly, these are laid out in chapters with names like, Don't Panic: The Situation Defined; Past Panic: Taking Charge; Turn on That Humor Switch or Absentmindedness as a Positive,

According to reports in Life Science, a number of top scientists are studying how the mind gives rise for "thought, action, emotion and consciousness;" and "how billions of neurons are connected, pinpointing hubs in the brain responsible for memory— especially long term memory." Eventually this will lead to understanding pathways to mind and the ability to tap into data bases within the mind that you have been filling with knowledge and experience for all of our lives.

In line with Roth's work and thinking, a recent op-ed piece in the May 22 New York Times, Our Irrational Fear of Forgetting by Margaret Morganroth Gullette, goes into how paranoia about mental capacity is leading to knee jerk reactions that are irrational and, quite often, over the top tragic. Roth sees this everyday and agrees that this rush to judgement from what can just be minor lapses in memory often is, quite simply, just nothing. Offspring and doctors join in this parade of paranoia and it sometimes condemns older parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles to a diminished life for no good reason. This trend must be arrested and Roth has set about doing just that.

In her book, Roth proclaims that members of the Silver Generation and those entering "that age" don`t need to understand the process in order to use it to tap into this rich pathway to the mind. In fact, she believes we already have this ability; we need only learn how to use this vast arsenal of knowledge stored in our brains which she calls Personal Retrieval System (PRS) — a computer-like memory bank within the brain of every individual stored in your long term memory.

Like a computer, she points out, our individual Personal Retrieval System contains vast amounts of data stored in long-term memory banks, capable of sorting, making associations, and selecting, and so important to the Silver Generation, capable of perpetual retrieval. Indeed modern computers simulate the human brain, not the other way around. Roth believes the Silver Generation can greatly benefit from understanding of new discoveries and vast research that has started to be done on that miracle of all miracles that makes us who we are: our brain—especially the "hubs in the brain" responsible for among other things storing long-term memories.

Long term memory differs from short term memory in that data is processed and stored for, as more and more scientists agree, probably for a lifetime: Numerous neurological studies of the brain indicate that long-term memory is a vast arsenal of storage and retrieval of data. The potential seems unlimited as it contains the sum total of your life: Both your knowledge base, your experience, and much that may be available that is not yet known.

Seat of all power, so to speak, the brain takes in data, sends messages to other parts of our body and stores an enormous amount of data. While Scientists like Norman Weinberger of University of California, Irvine are studying mechanics of how hubs in the brain work, Aging Activist Norma Roth urges the Silver Generation and Baby Boomers alike not to wait. Now is the time, the author points out to tap into the long term memory banks, access and retrieve stored data as we need it— and, miracle of all miracles—utilize that vast storage of knowledge throughout our lives.

All we need is to allow the existing data stored in our long term memory bank to work for us throughout our lives, and to exercise the use of a dimension in the brain that science are only now beginning to understand. Scientists and researchers generally agree that long term data is stored for a lifetime; they know that there is a vast storage mechanism in the brain that processes data that is learned over the years and is important and significant to the individual. Think about that, urges the author. That means the data you store— a lifelong process— not only exists, but is within your reach.

The chapters relating to the "Personal Retrieval Systems" Aging Gracefully offer easy steps to start access and retrieve from your PRS and examples of the retrieval system at work. The more you have learned, and learned well, the greater your potential for accessing and retrieving knowledge within the self. The basic rules are simple, far simpler than you would have though; the potential for reaching a knowledge base that is the sum total of all your learning and experience is almost mind boggling.

Here are some quick tips to get you started: SOME BASIC RULES FOR SUCCESS

• Know you have a store of information in your Personal Retrieval System-- your long-term memory cells.

• When you have that moment where you are talking or writing or thinking and suddenly you have a vague recollection of the material you are seeking (whether it is a fact, a piece of data, a name, an event, a period of history, a phrase, a philosopher or philosophy, a concept, a value, a time, or anything else your mind has focused on), stay with it!

• Let it come! Don't say, "Darn, I used to know that, but I can't think of it now"; it may not, in fact, be lost knowledge; don't moan over the fact that you can't recall it; don't beat up on yourself about all the learning you had, all the studying you did, all the research and writing, and now you can't even remember the heart of it. Stay with it … chances are you will find the way in a shorter time than you might imagine.

• Let your mind work on it in its own way. This is the most important facet. Stay calm, stay focused; see what unfolds. Many times, it will come to you momentarily: pop into your mind when you least expect; it may not be that moment (but oftentimes it is); it may not even be that day (but oftentimes it is); it may take a while (but so what?! Think of how long you have been acquiring this knowledge base.). The more open you are; the more relaxed; the more confident that you may well be able to reach that richness within, the more probable that you will.

Once you start accessing the wealth within your PRS, you will never be the same. Trust it, test it and access it, use it. And for those of you who have been nodding as you read this, thinking to yourself, "Of course this happens," you are already on your way. Let it happen more; expect it to happen more often: embrace it; understand what is happening—and develop that ready link to your very own Personal Retrieval System.

For Baby Boomers there is an extra boom for those who get on board early. The more you learn and learn well, the greater your potential for accessing and retrieve that knowledge within the self starting now. The potential for reaching a knowledge base that is the sum total of all your learning and experience is almost mind boggling! However, whereas Baby Boomers will have longer to store more knowledge in their long term memory banks, members of the Silver Generation will have more to access and retrieve.

Consider the enormous data base learned through a lifetime. For those of you in this new generation, getting in touch with your own Personal Retrieval System (read: brainpower) seems no longer as difficult or daunting a task as you might think. Think of the power and wonder and glory of harnessing that data base within the self—past knowledge, stored away, capable of retrieval at your command in your brain: that's brainpower

Sources: Life Science Website by Jeanne Bryner: Greater Mysteries; How Does The Brain Work; Neuroscientist Norman Weinberger, University of California, Irvine;



Here is a review of Norma Roth's book, Aging Gracefully with Dignity, Integrity and Spunk Intact: Aging Defiantly, from Rebecca Reads



Age 55 has come and brain power has left! Where did I leave my keys? Is the garage door closed? Did I leave the oven on? Meet my friend, whatshisname. These are common enough events for all of us growing into maturity, or what is better known as the "Silver Generation". It is the time in one's life when conversation revolves around issues of aging, the most frightening being problems of word and memory retrieval. Fear of dementia and failing health are a constant plague. Attitudes toward growing old have to be revisited and changed.

Norma Roth suggests that fear of aging and the panic that accompanies it should be met head on, first with recognition and then with a plan of attack. In the first half of the book she addresses with anecdotal humor, the occurrence of common worrisome situations, and then offers plans of attack. She encourages seniors to relook at their lives and acknowledge strengths and weaknesses. An honest self-appraisal is the first step in dealing with anxieties and handling the obstacles.

In Part 11 Roth offers a detailed list of techniques offering this generation simple useful skills to use in aging boldly yet gracefully. She urges them to accept the weaknesses that age brings and deal with them. She offers skills to be learned to retrieve memories and language through a relearning process. Best of all, she teaches that self-respect is an important tool in maintaining a good image. The author encourages self-recognition of a lifetime of experience which can invaluable in their empowerment.

This self-help book acts as a pep rally for the Silver Generation. It is a bit repetitive but none the less offers positive advice.

For more info about Norma Roth go to www.normarothbooks.com

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