Brain health emphasized at Beaver Meadows care facility

Nov. 07--BRIGHTON TWP. -- A renowned neurologist recently spoke at Beaver Meadows to emphasize the importance of brain health, and how various programming is being implemented at the long term care facility to embrace that.

Dr. Joseph Maroon, who works as a neurosurgeon for UPMC and has been a team neurosurgeon for the Pittsburgh Steelers for 35 years, said high-quality longevity is essential.

"We're interested not only in lifespan and longevity, but also, probably just as important if not more so, 'healthspan,'" Maroon said. "So what can be done to enhance healthy longevity, particularly regarding brain function?"

He said maintaining brain health is not much different than maintaining overall health.

Diet, exercise, drug and alcohol intake and stress are the four key factors because they all play a critical role in epigenetics.

"Genes are like the blueprints for building. They must be acted upon by something else to produce the 100,000 or more proteins that genes code for," Maroon said. "... Genes are formed and really don't change, but the function of the genes can be altered."

In the case of anyone who may have problems with memory and cognitive function, there are still ways to help.

For instance, just as when the body reacts to a splinter with inflammation, the body has an inflammatory reaction after eating a fast food meal of a burger, fries and soda, he said.

"What does this meal, this food do? Well, what it does is sends ... factors to our genes, and our genes make inflammatory agents," Maroon said.

Likewise, when eating meals that consist of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins and whole grains, the body produces anti-inflammatory agents.

Exercise provides numerous benefits, too.

"It used to be thought that the brain does not replace brain cells that die," Maroon said. "We know this is no longer true. When you exercise... 30 to 60 minutes a day or walk your 10,000 steps, your brain releases a compound called BDNF, brain-derived neurotrophic factor. And what does this compound do? It makes new brain cells. It increases the connections between the brain cells, called synapses."

Maroon and his associate Dr. Jeff Bost have helped with putting together a brain health program across St. Barnabas-owned long term care facilities. Beaver Meadows began its cognitive brain health program in July.

Regina Johnson, facility director, said there are 14 residents enrolled in the program, which involves an array of daily activities.

"We're designing programs that use the sense of touch, eyesight ... and how that approach and association with being together helps people feel valid and alive," she said.

Those things include going through memory books, reading out loud and singing songs.

Oftentimes, those with memory problems feel trapped.

"We want people to realize they have so much to offer," she said.

Beaver Meadows, an 83-bed facility at 5130 Tuscarawas Road, Brighton Township, was acquired by St. Barnabas Health System in April 2015.

___

(c)2016 the Beaver County Times (Beaver, Pa.)

Visit the Beaver County Times (Beaver, Pa.) at www.timesonline.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.