The Aging Brain

From my journal…

September 2005 – Geriatric Nurse Practitioner

How I thank God for my new job as a Geriatric Nurse Practitioner in a 500-bed nursing home providing primary care to 64 patients. It is like a breath of fresh air compared to working for the insurance company in the same facility. I am also feeling much better physically since I only work four days per week again and have every Friday off.

I volunteered to work the late shift so my hours are 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. The rest of the providers leave between 4 and 5 p.m., so I cover the entire home for emergencies until the night shift doctor arrives at 6 p.m. I like these hours better because I don’t need to get up as early, avoid driving during rush hour, eat lunch and dinner in the cafeteria, and get out in time to attend evening activities at my church. Food in the cafeteria is healthy and inexpensive so it also decreases my grocery bills.

I cover one locked dementia unit and two unlocked long-term care units. Sharing an office with three other nurse practitioners is helpful because we discuss our most difficult patients and swap ideas. We dictate all our notes to transcriptionists who type our notes and put them in the cue for us to proofread and correct any mistakes before it goes into the electronic record permanently. Generally, their accuracy is good.

This large nursing home even has a small restaurant, gift shop, auditorium for programs, boardroom, and beautiful grounds for walking at lunchtime. Their monthly continuing education for all the providers is an added benefit. I work with three different physicians who all enjoy sharing their expertise with me.

Dr. R., the medical director, meets with each provider monthly to review our productivity goals and discuss any concerns. He is the kindest and best boss I have ever had. This preventive type of management style works so much better than the authoritarian critical style I have had for much of my career. So far, he said I’m doing a good job and meeting all my monthly goals. How I thank God for giving me this job with this wonderful schedule.

“Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Ephesians 5:20 (KJV)

The Aging Brain

Another job benefit is four days and $1200 annually to attend continuing education outside the facility. I attended an interesting seminar yesterday entitled “The Aging Brain” taught by a geriatrician. The research shows that people who keep their brains active, exercise, socialize, and eat a healthy diet help prevent Alzheimer’s disease (memory loss). Since both my grandmother and father died of Alzheimer’s, this is of particular interest to me. Daily, I sadly witness the decline of my patients with end-stage dementia.

Ways to keep one’s brain active is to travel because you are constantly problem-solving and meeting new people. Learning a new language, playing a musical instrument, teaching, and aerobic exercise also stimulate the brain. For people who live alone like me, it’s important to participate in regular social activities to prevent isolation. Eating healthy foods like blueberries, salmon, kale, and other colorful fruits and vegetables is important.

Now that I’m retired, I continue to do things to stimulate my brain. The extra time for Bible study, water aerobics, traveling, painting, and playing my violin and dulcimer is delightful. I’m blessed to have rich Christian fellowship and prayer with my friends at church several times weekly. My Mexican friend and I meet regularly to help improve my Spanish and her English. I recently completed a stimulating “Rusty Writer’s” class at a nearby university. Later this month, I look forward to attending an adult arts camp in the mountains to take classes in watercolor painting, weaving, soap making, and the mountain dulcimer.

Please let me know in the comments what activities you enjoy to keep your brain young!