The Future of Aging: Healthy Aging
Four-part series centered on what it means to age healthfully
As the baby boomer generation ages and average lifespan continues to increase, researchers are working to identify the medical, lifestyle, and environmental interventions that are most effective in extending healthspan—the number of years a person lives in relative good health.
Join us for a series of lectures and conversations centered on what it really means to age healthfully. The symposium is produced by the University of Washington Retirement Association in partnership with the University of Washington Alumni Association.
Targeting Biological Aging: A New Paradigm for 21st Century Medicine
Matt Kaeberlein, PhD, Director, UW Healthy Aging and Longevity Research Institute
Age is the greatest risk factor for nearly every major cause of death and disability, including COVID-19. Yet, traditional biomedical research and clinical approaches have focused on waiting until people are sick and treating individual diseases one at a time. Attempts to cure age-related diseases have proven unsuccessful, and the impact of disease-first approaches continue to be incremental. Recent advances in understanding the mechanisms linking biological aging to disease, or geroscience, have identified interventions that directly target the molecular hallmarks of aging. Unlike disease-specific approaches, such interventions have the potential to prevent multiple diseases of aging simultaneously, thereby greatly enhancing healthspan and lifespan for most individuals. Dr. Kaeberlein will provide an overview of translational geroscience, and discuss recent work with biomedical interventions to extend healthspan.
Targeting Biological Aging: A New Paradigm for 21st Century Medicine
Matt Kaeberlein, PhD, Director, UW Healthy Aging and Longevity Research Institute
Age is the greatest risk factor for nearly every major cause of death and disability, including COVID-19. Yet, traditional biomedical research and clinical approaches have focused on waiting until people are sick and treating individual diseases one at a time. Attempts to cure age-related diseases have proven unsuccessful, and the impact of disease-first approaches continue to be incremental. Recent advances in understanding the mechanisms linking biological aging to disease, or geroscience, have identified interventions that directly target the molecular hallmarks of aging. Unlike disease-specific approaches, such interventions have the potential to prevent multiple diseases of aging simultaneously, thereby greatly enhancing healthspan and lifespan for most individuals. Dr. Kaeberlein will provide an overview of translational geroscience, and discuss recent work with biomedical interventions to extend healthspan.
Nutrition As We Age: Should We Keep Fearing Fat and Sugar?
Ana Valencia, PhD, UW Translational Bioenergetics Lab
The idea that we should restrict fat and sugar from our diet pervades our food choices today. As we continue to learn about the changes in physiology that occur with natural aging, we need to acknowledge that the impact of diet stress may also change as we get older. By appreciating age-related differences in the effects of common components of our diet like fat and sugar, we have a better chance of improving health in advanced age.
Elders in Training: Healthy Aging Wisdom from Indigenous Cultures
Gary Ferguson, ND, WSU Institute for Research and Education to Advance Community Health
Aging as gracefully as possible is on many of our minds, as we move into our silver years. Indigenous cultures bring a wealth of wisdom around healthy aging. To be an “elder” is an active practice and honor. In this talk, Dr. Ferguson will share some insights from his work in Native communities which promote healthy, vital, and engaged elders.
Habits for a Healthy Brain
Carolyn Parsey, PhD, UW Memory and Brain Wellness Center
Is memory loss normal? What can I do to keep my brain healthy? This presentation will review the differences between normal versus abnormal cognitive aging, debunk myths about dementia, and summarize ways to promote brain health in later life.
Handout: Habits for a healthy brain