I am excited to once again be an invited speaker for the International Council on Active Aging Conference (https://icaaconference.icaa.cc/), which is being held virtually on November 9-10 and 16-17. My first session will be “Optimizing Sleep for Better Brain Health” on November 10. Poor sleep quality is associated with depression, inflammation, increased risk of falls and accidents, and impairments in cognitive function. Researchers have also found evidence that a lack of deep sleep increases the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. A general trend is that sleep efficiency declines with age. However, the need to sleep does not decrease with age. It is imperative for older adults to be proactive in finding ways to improve their sleep.

In my presentation I will describe changes in sleep that generally accompany aging, explain the basics of sleep architecture, and address the reasons humans need sleep. I will discuss conditions and behaviors that can negatively affect our sleep, as well as the possible risks of sleep aids. Numerous sleep hygiene best practices which can help us attain more restorative sleep will be shared, along with information about products that may also help with sleep.

My second presentation for this year’s Conference is “From Memories to Memoir: Enhancing Wellness, Building Community,” on November 16. Writing memoir allows people to exercise their mind and enhance their memory and builds community by enabling class members to connect more deeply with each other. Writers experience improved mental alertness, increased wellbeing, and a sense of accomplishment. By writing memoir stories, residents can share their insights about life and create a legacy for family and friends. I will share exercises and identify resources that can be implemented to inspire and engage older adults in creating memoir.

Hope to “see” you there!