The Residence at Cedar Dell now collaborating with Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE-November 2014 (Dartmouth, MA)--The Residence at Cedar Dell, an assisted living and Reflections Memory Care community in Dartmouth, Massachusetts (www.residencecedar.com hosted an educational presentation by Dr. Meghan Searl, Clinical Neuropsychologist, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Instructor in Psychology, Harvard Medical School (http://www.searlneuropsychology.com/) entitled, “The Benefits of Mindfulness in Aging and Mild Cognitive Impairment.” The presentation is the first in a series of events being hosted by the community since collaborating with The Center for Brain-Mind Medicine (http://www.brighamandwomens.org/Departments_and_Services/neurology/services/BehavioralNeurology/Center-Brain-Mind-Medicine.aspx) and The Center for Alzheimer’s Research and Treatment (http://www.brighamandwomens.org/research/labs/cart/default.aspx) at Brigham & Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School.

Research shows that 50% of adults with mild cognitive impairment develop Alzheimer’s disease (AD) within 5 years. (R Wells, December 2012) The risk increases when adverse factors (e.g., stress and depression) are present and accumulate (E Larouche, 2014). Because of the devastating consequences of Alzheimer’s disease, there is a need for early interventions that can delay and perhaps prevent the transition from MCI to AD (E Larouche, 2014). Mindfulness-based interventions show promise in achieving this goal, including increasing the gray matter density of the hippocampus, which atrophies in AD (R Wells, December 2012).

Dr. Searl explained, “’Mindfulness’ refers to a particular state of mind characterized by alertness, openness, curiosity and emotional warmth. It is also a skill that can be actively cultivated and has demonstrated benefits in a number of areas of life, including learning, emotional well-being, productivity and physical health. Its benefits for those with mild cognitive impairment is encouraging.”

Lindsay Gordon, Senior Executive Director of The Residence at Cedar Dell, commented: “I am excited to offer these educational presentations to our families, local professionals and the Dartmouth community at-large. Our collaboration with Brigham & Women’s and Harvard allows us to keep our finger on the pulse of the advances in healthy aging and the treatment of mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease. Promoting healthy aging and increasing our residents’ well-being are primary focuses of our community. We will continue to share exciting innovations as we apply them at Cedar Dell.”

The Residence at Cedar Dell offers assisted living and a Reflections Memory Care neighborhood for older individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. The community, currently undergoing a $1.5 million comprehensive renovation, believes older adults should have the fullest possible sense of control over their daily lives, continue to learn, enjoy personal relationships, play a role in their own care and live meaningful lives. The Residence at Cedar Dell is located at 628 Old Westport Road in Dartmouth. For more information, visit www.residencecedar.com or call Janis Green at 508-636-0590.

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