Thursday, September 22, 2011

Looking to science, medicine and technology, Norma Roth, author of Aging Gracefully With Dignity, Integrity & Spunk Intact; Aging Defiantly suggests the different way of life science, medicine and technology are defining the potential of the greater use of the mind for almost a lifetime starkly contrasts with present social attitudes and behavior patterns. Roth describes the difference simply as Brain Power vs. Brain Drain!, thus opting a "brainpower"scenario which explores a new Paradigm for all of us entering those uncertain years or decades.

Roth's new paradigm comports with present findings of science and is infinitely more suited to the goals of this dynamic, well-educated, and motivated generation who seek to use their lifelong learning, experience and knowledge as solid foundation throughout their lifetime.

Modern miracles of science and medicine predict this emerging generation will have longevity and health never before seen in the history of the world—all kinds of wonders coming our way with the potential to make this generation's life glitter and sparkle, not dim and disappear. According to science, medicine, and technology, the changes expected are dramatic and, some would say, fantastic: especially for this dynamic generation expected to live and live well into their eighties—or even nineties (evidence of which is already around us).

Science is at the forefront of opening up pathways to memory that have not been understood before, suggesting that pathways to long term memory may be available throughout our lifetime, while medicine and research support a host of wonderful life-enhancing possibilities. Norma Roth believes that the negative societal attitudes and behaviors that foster myths about aging (from 55+) concerning, those entering "that age" are vastly overlooking vital factors that absolutely fly in the face of the promise of medical, scientific, and technological output pushing in an opposite direction.

She believes, and it is demonstrated in her Aging Gracefully book, that the amazing new positive developments in continued use of memory?for almost a lifetime?will unlock keys for staying mentally and physically healthy. Immensely fortified by the many advances in science and research regarding the aging brain and those daring to forecast the continuity of the brain functioning as well as highlighting the ability to access long-term memory (the full spectrum of personal knowledge base and experience and more) throughout an almost full life span—and, of course, the developing theory advocating the continued and significant use of the brain throughout your lifetime—calls for a new model commensurate with the larger view of the mental faculties on the horizon..

Roth suggests those entering "that age" (that includes Baby Boomers) as well as members of the Silver Generation think not about what has been forgotten, but focus, instead, on what has already learned, the time spent learning and relearning and what can be done with that knowledge base. Current science and research are finding that information learned in an intensive manner may well remain in your brain?specifically your long term memory?for almost your entire lifetime.

In short that means that information learned and learned well (data) may well be in our minds (stored data) and available for continued usage (access) throughout most of our lifetime as needed (retrieval). In her book Roth, Aging Gracefully With Dignity, Integrity and Spunk Intact; Aging Defiantly, Roth calls this a Personal Retrieval System (PRS)?and analogous to a computer (which as she points out in her book were designed by the older generation as so many things are designed, based on the human brain and not vice versa).

Roth looks to the educational process of the last half century in place throughout the school systems and reminds us that, the methodology in place in most of the schools throughout the country called for excessive repetition: repeating the same things over and over again until some point was reached at which instructors were satisfied the material had been learned and put in some safe storage bank in our brain convinced that the information could be retrieved at will—forever!

So, Roth recalls, students learned and were tested, and learned and were tested ad nauseam until their instructors were satisfied that the information had been put in some part of the brain where it would permanently stay and could be called on at a later date— much later, as needed?reappearing as needed. There was a method to the madness. Roth believes: Incessant forgetting was a supreme insult to the intelligence and would not be tolerated. Information could be learned in such a manner that what was being taught—or most of it—would never be forgotten: if we paid attention, if we studied, if we truly wanted to learn. Therefore, diligently—oh, so diligently—educators drilled us and taught all of us the same things over and over again, and from time to time,

Looking back it this, Roth sees this educational methodology, through which so many were educated throughout the country (and perhaps should be again!), comports with present day advances in science, medicine and research, that basically says the same thing in new ways: Who can argue that our dynamic, new older generation would not greatly benefit from and be far ahead of most people in tapping into these resources, since how could it be denied that, by sheer weight of age, our accumulation of knowledge base, our experience, is not larger than younger groups of people?

The "this-is-the-way-it-is, accept it" attitude of losing it permeating the societal milieu toward those entering that age is wrong! Big time! Roth suggests that the educational process through which we learned—and are learning still—is a far better model for those entering "that age," certainly those of the Silver Generation, as well as the highly motivated, over-educated and multi-experienced Baby Boomers (the first of whom reached 65 this year) and have no intention of dropping out of life. The educational paradigm offers alternatives more suitable to a highly educated, highly motivated group of professionals who have no intention of laying down the gauntlet?the gifts that lay before us, overwhelmingly rich with possibilities, not even clearly understood in terms of the far-reaching potential, which suggests being on the threshold of a very bright new day indeed.

One would have to be slightly off balance not to see these advancements as an enormous gain. Such a negative view of limited potential as one ages is finally totally unacceptable when compared to a lifetime of learning and expectations, a lifetime of overachieving, of overdoing, and of acquiring so much knowledge in all different areas that has been the driving force in many lives life need not be wasted.

There is the opportunity NOW, in the present, for those entering "that age"; this dynamic Silver Generation, and perhaps the most opportunity for Baby Boomers to be in the forefront of revolutionary, exciting area of mental development of limitless potential. Roth suggests that the theory of retention of learning, storage of learning, retrieval of learning is not too much of a leap, but rather a logical outcome of the remarkable advances of this century. The new Paradigm based on the Education process most of us were taught under seems eminently more suitable to these amazing times. The fears and concerns about learning or remembering substantive areas; the uncertainty of intelligently discussing or writing about academic areas of the past disappear: wrong concepts for this age! Wrong conclusions!

The new Education Paradigm will serve these groups far better: they can know and begin to get in touch with their long term memory base; go on "Treasure Hunt" through New and Old Pathways of the brain, and get in touch with their Personal Retrieval Systems (PRS), more fully addressed in the book: Aging Gracefully With Dignity, Integrity & Spunk Intact: Aging Defiantly.

Those entering "that age" will immensely benefit as they continue to use long term memory, recognizing that research is finding more and more basis for the "Use It, Lose It" theory: if you use your mind, it will continue to function well; if you don't, it won't! Perhaps it is members of the Baby Boomer group who stand to benefit greatly by understanding that continued learning and learning well will reward them with infinite richness by storing in their long term memories data they will be able to use for almost their entire lifetimes: in other words, going back to the new paradigm: the more you learn and learn well, the better the chances of retaining it?so learn away and store it well.

Kirkus Review of Aging Gracefully With Dignity, Integrity & Spunk Intact by Norma Roth

Septuagenarian poet Roth decries our "obsessive focus on the deterioration of the elderly" and charts a course of independent, dignified and fruitful aging.

Roth doesn't deny that there are physical and mental losses as we grow older, particularly regarding brain cells that relate to short-term memory. What she finds galling is the cultural negativity toward old age, the dire warnings of a society that contemplates every aspect about itself and is seriously afraid of growing older." With advances in modern medicine, there is every reason to expect an alert, active, achieving and participatory old age. What Roth focuses on are the mental hiccups that attend the advancing years–the moments of forgetfulness. She advises a use-it or lose-it approach, writing, "Those who continue to use their brain retain its use; those who do not, lose it." The author explains that if you worry about forgetting that pot of boiling water, then don't leave it. If you can't recall a certain word, chose another, simpler one (which will probably be better than the $10 one you forgot).

Roth is especially forceful in counseling that one cultivate his or her head. There is a great storehouse of knowledge, skill and interests in the brain–one that's been fed since the day each of us were born. The author writes that one should first explore the terrain–find the time, the place, and the quiet to begin to become conscious of the stored data you already possess"–then build on it and keep learning and ruminating on the big issues, like war and peace and human decency. Some may call it absentmindedness, this mooning about in your own head, but instead it's a process of letting the mundane slip away. There was a time when we used to learn from our elders' experience, but now the memory bullies want to send the old to the abattoir. Roth shows how, instead, to be subtly and directly defiant of being pigeonholed as decrepit.

Thoughtful, uncowed observations of the aging process with upbeat conclusions.

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