Providence Swedish hosts our second Healthy Aging Summit
Providence Swedish's Center for Healthy Aging and Women’s Brain Health Program hosted a day-long event centered on maintaining mental and physical health as we get older.
On April 18 at the Mercer Island Community and Event Center, Providence Swedish hosted its second-ever Healthy Aging Summit, a day dedicated to education, shifting perspectives and community. The event was presented by the Providence Swedish Center for Healthy Aging and Women’s Brain Health Team, which are part of the Providence Swedish Neuroscience Institute.
Nancy Isenberg, M.D., leader of the Swedish's Center for Healthy Aging and Women’s Brain Health Program, welcomed nearly 100 attendees to the day-long series of events and activities centered around the maintenance and improvement of our neurological, mental and physical health as we get older.
Dr. Isenberg also gave a presentation about the prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, noting that one in three people will die from dementia and that the condition disproportionately affects women. Dr. Isenberg highlighted stress management, diet, exercise and socialization as central to maintaining brain health and neuroplasticity that supports higher-quality and longer lifespans.
“What you do, and your environment have an impact on your dementia risk,” said Dr. Isenberg. “It’s important to address your heart health and have cognitive stimulation and social engagement, regular physical activity and nutritional guidance.”
Caregivers from the Providence Swedish Neuroscience Institute at April 18's Healthy Aging Summit. At top: Breakout sessions included a "Dancing Together" session that emphasized the importance of regular movement for maintaining brain health.
Featured speakers included Center for Healthy Aging clinicians Emma Dotson, DNP, ARNP, a nurse practitioner who specializes in cognitive neurology, who discussed how we can age mindfully and embrace the joys and challenges of aging, and Joel Peterman, Ph.D., who shared effective methods and techniques to enhance information retention and improve cognitive function.
Breakout sessions focused on dancing, brain games and music therapy. Organizers stressed the importance of these activities and those like them in maintaining brain health.
The keynote speaker was Marigrace Becker, MSW, director of the Memory Hub, an innovative community center operated by the University of Washington’s Memory and Brain Wellness Center. Becker’s work is dedicated to ensuring that those with dementia and memory loss live full, connected lives.
“The goal is that everyone can continue to participate, contribute and fully belong in their community — despite a diagnosis,” said Becker.
The event was supported by a host of community partners including the Swedish Foundation, the City of Mercer Island, the University of Washington School of Social Work and the American College of Lifestyle Medicine.
About Providence Swedish
Providence Swedish has served the Puget Sound region since the first Providence hospital opened in Seattle in 1877 and the first Swedish hospital opened in 1910. The two organizations affiliated in 2012 and today comprise the largest health care delivery system in Western Washington, with 22,000 caregivers, eight hospitals and 244 clinics. A not-for-profit family of organizations, Providence Swedish provided $540 million in community benefit in the Puget Sound region last year. The health system offers a comprehensive range of services and specialty and subspecialty care in a number of clinical areas, including cancer, cardiovascular health, neurosciences, orthopedics, digestive health and women’s and children’s care.
