Some of the most encouraging information I’ve found since I began writing about aging is that much of what we’ve assumed isn’t necessarily true.  I confess that when I was younger I thought old people were “over the hill” as far as reaping the benefits of life.  Even if they looked like they were doing well, surely the reality was far less superior than my youth? I was wrong.  While there are advantages to being young, there is an equal number of benefits to getting older.  I’m not suggesting that everything is perfect—at either age—but making the right choices and with the right guidance, many potential problems can be avoided and rewards enjoyed.  What is true, with even as something as frightening as the potential for Alzheimer’s or dementia, is that there are lifestyle choices that you and I can make today that can help to reduce the risk.  So instead of pretending or denying that such a possibility exists for many of us, isn’t it SMART to study up on current research that offers the most hopeful perspective? I sure think so! [Read more…]