title: Healthy Aging Promotion through Neuroscientific Information-Based Strategies.
abstract: To ensure the well-being of a rapidly growing elderly population, it is fundamental to find strategies to foster healthy brain aging. With this intention, we designed a program of scientific-based lectures aimed at dissemination by established neuroscientists about brain function, brain plasticity and how lifestyle influences the brain. We also carried out a pilot study on the impact of the lectures on attendees. The objective was to provide information to elderly people in order to encourage them to identify unhealthy and healthy daily habits, and more importantly, to promote behavioral changes towards healthy brain aging. Here we report on our experience. In order to determine the impact of the lectures in the daily routine of the attendees, we asked them to fill out questionnaires. Preliminary results indicate that neuroscientific information-based strategies can be a useful method to have a positive impact on the lives of elderly, increase their awareness on how to improve brain function and promote positive lifestyle modifications. Furthermore, based on self-reported data, we also found that through this strategy it is possible to promote behavioral changes related to nutrition, sleep, and realization of physical and cognitively stimulating activities. Finally, based on the results obtained, the importance of promoting self-efficacy and the empowerment of the older populations is highlighted.
authors.affiliation: Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), 08036 Barcelona, Spain. seinfeld@clinic.ub.edu.|Event Lab, Faculty of Psychology, University of Barcelona, 08035 Barcelona, Spain. seinfeld@clinic.ub.edu.
authors.forename: Sofia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Seinfeld
authors.affiliation: Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), 08036 Barcelona, Spain. msanche3@clinic.ub.es.|Event Lab, Faculty of Psychology, University of Barcelona, 08035 Barcelona, Spain. msanche3@clinic.ub.es.|Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), 08010 Barcelona, Spain. msanche3@clinic.ub.es.|Department of Basic Psychology, University of Barcelona, 08035 Barcelona, Spain. msanche3@clinic.ub.es.
authors.forename: Maria V
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Sanchez-Vives
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging; D001921:Brain / Q000502:physiology*; D054626:Consumer Health Information; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011209:Power, Psychological; D020377:Self Efficacy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: active aging; aging; brain; brain health; brain plasticity; cognition; health; healthy aging; information; lifestyle