The Residence at Watertown Square Hosts Event Promoting Healthy Brain Aging & Cognition with Harvard Medical School

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE-December 2014 (Watertown, MA)--The Residence at Watertown Square, a new senior living community in downtown Watertown (www.residencewatertown.com) hosted an educational presentation by Kirk R. Daffner, MD, FAAN, Chief, Division of Cognitive and Behavioral Neurology, Brigham & Women’s Hospital and the J. David and Virginia Wimberly Professor of Neurology, Harvard Medical School promoting healthy brain aging and cognition in older adults. The presentation is the first in a series of events being hosted by the community since collaborating with The Center for Brain/Mind Medicine and The Center for Alzheimer’s Research and Treatment at Brigham & Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School.

Research shows the more we challenge our brains, the better we can stave off age-related cognitive decline. The most effective ways include staying physically active, doing novel and multi-sensory activities and practicing mindfulness.

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).

Sylvia Clark, Executive Director of The Residence at Watertown Square, commented: “I am excited to offer these educational presentations to our families, local professionals and the Watertown 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. Promoting and applying them and increasing our residents’ well-being are primary focuses of our community. We will continue to share exciting innovations as we apply them at Watertown Square.”

The Residence at Watertown Square offers enhanced independent and assisted living and a Reflections Memory Care neighborhood for older individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. The new community, located in downtown Watertown, 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 Watertown Square is located at 20 Summer Street, Watertown. For more information, visit www.residencewatertown.com or call Theresa Campbell at 617-924-8100.

Picture Caption: Dr. Daffner talking about healthy aging at The Residence at Watertown Square

The Center for Brain/Mind Medicine:

http://www.brighamandwomens.org/Departments_and_Services/neurology/services/BehavioralNeurology/Center-Brain-Mind-Medicine.aspx

The Center for Alzheimer’s Research and Treatment:

http://www.brighamandwomens.org/research/labs/cart/default.aspx