077: Retirement Planning for Your Brain

Preparing for retirement means more than maxing out your 401k. Preserving our minds and bodies is equally as important because how else does one enjoy the fruits of their labor? Nobody wants to spend all their money on long-term care, doctors, and medications, right? Many of us believe that’s just a fact of life, but it doesn’t necessarily have to be. Surprisingly preserving your cognitive functions is a lot easier than you may think. And before going too far, no, there’s no one end-all, be-all wonder drug that improves brain health and crossword puzzles aren’t exactly all they are cracked up to be. So, what do we do? Get ready for a list of action items you didn’t know you needed.

In a new episode of Absolute Trust Talk Live, Kirsten is joined by guest Dr. Quinn Kennedy. Dr. Kennedy has a Ph.D. in psychology, postdoctoral training in cognitive aging, and over 20 years of experience researching and investigating factors that affect older adults, decision-making, and memory performance. Her work has been recognized through multiple awards, grants, and peer journal publications. Not to mention, she’s been featured on NPR, in the New York Times, San Francisco Chronicle, and Science Magazine. In addition to regular speaking engagements, Dr. Kennedy has also launched a new webinar series related to retirement planning and brain health. Kirsten and Dr. Kennedy will be diving into some of the best strategies for taking care of one’s mind to ensure quality brain health, including:

  • How our brain function changes as we age.
  • Planning ahead to preserve brain health and cognitive function.
  • Resources available for anyone concerned about their brain function.
  • Recent medical developments relating to dementia.

And more!

Whether you’re just now beginning to plan for retirement or have been investing in your future for years, this is an episode that everyone should listen to. So, grab a pen and paper, take a seat, and press play.

Big Three from Episode #077:

  1. You have more control over the cognitive aging process than you think!
  2. Maintaining good cognitive function can save you money in retirement.
  3. Dementia and Alzheimer’s are scary and cognitive decline is a tough thing to think about, but if you’re worried or suspect you may have an issue, DON’T wait. Seek help right away!

Time-stamped Show Notes:

2:50 – How exactly does our brain function change as we age? Start listing now for more insights.

4:21 – Dr. Kennedy explains how you can distinguish between ordinary distraction versus something you may need to have checked by a professional.

5:48 – If you’re worried about their brain functionality, you need to hear this list of resources Dr. Kennedy provides.

7:48 – Wondering what you can do to keep your brain as healthy as possible? Press play now.

10:40 – Everything you eat affects your brain. Dr. Kennedy shares insights about the best type of diet for brain health known as the MIND diet.

12:18 – So, at what age should we begin maintaining their brain functionality?

13:44 – Listen in as Dr. Kennedy talks about the Webinar series she’s doing with PW Johnson Wealth and Legacy, LLC– find it here at https://www.brainsandmoney.com/.

17:26 – Do “brain booster” supplements really work or not? Dr. Kennedy gives her take on this hot topic.

18:50 – Start listening now to hear more about the pros and cons of using apps and puzzles to improve cognitive health.

20: 49 – Ask Kirsten Segment: Kirsten explains that if someone who has Medicare loses coverage (they could still apply for other payment options). Kirsten stresses the importance of knowing rights and that you consult an attorney if necessary

23:25 – Listen in as Dr. Kennedy addresses the effectiveness of current dementia medications

25:23 – have you heard about the most recent controversy over the FDA-approved infusion for Alzheimer’s disease prevention? Press play now for more details.

30:51 – Do we understand why dementia seems to be so much more common now than it was many years ago?

31:35 – Are there countries or populations that seem to have much lower incidence of dementia than the U S for example, and if so, do we know why that is?

Resources/Links Mentioned in this Episode:

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