I am envisioning a day when my older patients with significant neurologic issues (Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, Dementias and Memory Decline of various types) will return to class to improve their brains and physical constitution. They’ll go back to school….and they’ll like it! This school would be called DDA …..Dr. Doug’s Academy (I’m riffing on an idea here…so let me have my fun!)
An elementary school at the age of 70, it would be a whole day affair. It would start early in the morning, as the older set often have sleep issues. The day would consist of more physical activity than mental activity, because it turns out that physical activity has the strongest correlation with improvement in brain function and memory. We’d have 3-4 sections of physical activity daily, and then 2-3 classes that are academically oriented, as this remains important in it’s own right.
We’ll serve healthy food, abstain from liquor (to excess…a little liquor would be OK…perhaps even during the daytime!…..You’ll like my school.) With all of this going on….we might need a naptime too with cookies and milk.
Why do I construct my school this way? Because research is showing greater potential for spontaneous brain healing than we have previously imagined. In this article from the WSJ sent in by a patient, you can read about the research that is informing such an approach. Read>>>>HERE.