Staying Sharp Program:  Oregon Retired Educators Association's focus for 2007-2009. 

"The aging mind, if we take care of it and avoid disease, has the potential for growth, creativity and wisdom.":  Dr. Gene Cohen

New research has discovered that our brains are not hard-wired; instead the brain continues to replace old cells and connections  even through advanced age.   Source:  Roger Anunsen

Staying Sharp is a national effort to promote understanding about the brain and brain health led by NRTA: AARP’s Educator Community and The Dana Alliance for Brain Initiatives.  Oregon Retired Educators Association has been chosen as a lead organization in the Oregon Brain Health Initiative (OBHI), which is designed to bring the healthy brain message to the people of our state. 

Our resource team of Stuart Langton, Roger Anunsen,  Michael Patterson, and local  AARP staff are leading us in a pilot project that focuses on delivering the message of brain health throughout Oregon using short presentations by members of Oregon Retired Educators Association. 

The study of recent  brain research is a “draw” for new membership;  we all have an interest in staying mentally sharp and agile.   In next year’s calendar,  most Units are already planning at least one meeting devoted specifically to brain study with regular updates and OBHI announcements expected at each meeting. 

In a larger sense, all of our meeting topics are related to Staying Sharp.  Agendas such as  legislative updates, guest speakers, travel reports, entertainment, healthy menus,  and time to visit with friends all contribute to better brain cells!  Here's to an exciting and "memorable" year ahead.

BrainWell
Brain Wellness Initiative
Oregon 

“The aging mind, if we can avoid disease and take care of it, has the potential for continued growth, creativity and wisdom.” Dr. Gene Cohen, M.D., Ph.D.

The Brain Wellness Initiative in Oregon (BrainWell) is a collaborative effort to promote brain health and wellness led by AARP Oregon, the Oregon Retired Educators Association and Oregon Health & Sciences University.  BrainWell is supported at the national level by the 2award-winning Staying Sharp program from NRTA: AARP’s Educator Community and the Dana Alliance for Brain Initiatives.  

BrainWell Goals:

• Increase awareness of the importance of brain wellness, with a focus on the potential of the mature mind.
• Challenge the perception that cognitive decline is inevitable with age.
• Provide accurate scientific information about how to maintain and improve brain wellness, based on the latest insights in brain research.
• Encourage people to adopt behaviors that promote brain wellness.

BrainWell Activities: 

• BrainWell provides free Oregon BrainWell Calendars (online and hard copy) that highlight brain wellness educational presentations and activities in communities throughout the state of Oregon.
   
• Using staff and volunteers from participating organizations, BrainWell offers free brain wellness presentations developed by the Staying Sharp program from NRTA: AARP’s Educator Community.

How Can You and Your Organization Get Involved? 

For information about scheduling a Brain Wellness Presentation, leave your name and phone number at 877-926-8300 or send an e-mail to bwio@aarp.org. Reservations may be made for Fall of 2007 or Winter/Spring of 2008.  The calendar for Fall of 2007 will be available in early September and requests for fall programs must be received by August 15 with a December 14 deadline for the 2008 calendar.