Unlocking the secrets of super-agers
Women are more likely to reach this vaunted status. So how can we improve the odds of maintaining a sharp mind as we get older?
- Reviewed by Toni Golen, MD, Editor in Chief, Harvard Women's Health Watch; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing; Contributor
Scientists created a term for these folks: super-agers. While staying physically and cognitively robust is everyone’s ideal, super-aging focuses on the mental part. Defined as adults over 80 who have the memory capacity of someone at least three decades younger, super-agers epitomize what we’d all like to become. But to a certain extent, the phenomenon doesn’t just happen—it’s the result of consistent behaviors and lifestyle choices that promote optimal brain health, Harvard experts say.
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About the Author
Maureen Salamon, Executive Editor, Harvard Women's Health Watch
About the Reviewer
Toni Golen, MD, Editor in Chief, Harvard Women's Health Watch; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing; Contributor
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