HEARThrive – Module 11A – Aging Study and Stories

This course is a supplement to HEARThrive Module 11, “Combat Stress and Age Well.” It features important components of an aging study that Malcolm volunteered to be included in. The study includes telephone surveys with detailed questionnaires relevant to aging along with periodic live testing at the clinic (typically every 2 – 3 years). In this course, Malcolm will take you through all the tests he took at the live clinic in 2017. There were physical tests, memory tests, questions about my social life and my health history. And finally, blood tests – a lot of blood tests! As you watch the videos in this course, think about how well you might do in an aging study. You could certainly measure your height and weight. If you own a blood pressure device you could easily check your blood pressure. Can you walk well? Are you able to rise up from a chair without difficulty? Can you balance on one foot?  Can you squeeze a tennis ball? Do you have good reflexes? Do you hear well? How’s your vision? Some of the other tests that were done would normally have to go through your doctor, including: an EKG to check your heart, a Carotid ultrasound to gauge your cardiovascular health, a pulmonary function test to assess your lung capacity, and a DEXA scan to evaluate your bone health. The aging clinic asked about diet. That’s something within your control. Diet is covered thoroughly in Module 2 of HEARThrive so it’s just mentioned briefly in Module 11A. Memory is a major component in aging and the clinic devotes a lot of testing to it. You can try these tests at home and see how you do. And you can practice them on your own to improve your memory. Stories are an important way to learn things, so this module includes stories about working your memory, building social connections, and paying attention to your health as you age. Lots of wonderful resources to ensure that you age well.