Professional Documents
Culture Documents
of the new Federal health care reform laws on seniors and their Medicare benefits. See
how you do (answers
2010 / are on page
November Number 764):
1. The new law
Daylight will result
Savings in future
Time: cuts to“Fall
Remember yourBackward”:
basic Medicare benefits.
set your clocks back one hour on
Sunday, November 7 . th T F
Our October 21 Roundtable featured Matthew Scult, son of Ellen Scult of our office,
speaking on the efficacy of non-traditional medical practices. Matthew graduated in May from
Brown after majoring in neuroscience. While still in school, he wrote a fascinating article on
Brown’s organic chemistry course which has led to reforms which may benefit the next
generation of chemists and pre-med students at Brown and elsewhere. Early on, he decided to
pursue a career in science writing and landed, as his first postgraduation job, a highly sought
position at the Benson-Henry Institute for Mind Body Medicine at Massachusetts General
Hospital. There, he is exposed to both clinical and research teams attempting to determine how
to improve health. One of the Institute’s focuses is on healthy aging – a topic which attracted an
audience of professionals who work with elders with, also, a heightened concern for their own
health. Matt led a spirited discussion which included tips for successful aging:
• Reduce stress by, among other things, the Benson Relaxation Response, a simplified
but effective form of meditation.
• Stay fit, by adhering to sensible diets (that ideally consist of one half fruits and
vegetables and one quarter each of grains and protein) and exercise.
• “Vital engagement,” which he described as “finding meaning” in what one does. Matt
pointed to the McArthur longitudinal study of Harvard students from as long ago as the
1940s which points to the fact that a major factor in longevity and good health
generally was purposeful involvement.
• Aerobics for the mind, i.e. learning new things is “neurogeneric,” i.e. vitalizes
neuropaths.
• Social support. Some studies point to good marriages as life extending.
• Get rid of gripes – “be happy.” Matt demonstrated how to turn negative thoughts to
positive and how to avoid “catastrophizing” every event. Learn, on confronting bad
news, to accept the facts and find meaning in your response.
• Humor. Bill commented late in the session that Bill’s letter supporting Matt’s
admission to Brown emphasized Matt’s highly developed sense of humor.
• Get enough sleep and rest. He pointed to studies that show that even mild sleep
deprivation can lead to subtle but certain loss of intellectual functions.
• Faith. Believing in something (it need not be conventionally religious) gives meaning
to one’s own existence and value to others.
Near the end of his presentation, Matt led a mild relaxation exercise for the 20 who
attended his session. Gradually, we all began to concentrate on simple but purposeful
breathing, losing as much as we could our concerns for a busy workday ahead or other issues.
A number of people commented that thoughts and “todos” for the day intruded the exercise, but
most appeared refreshed and positive. That wasn’t that surprising since nearly every one who
attended had, at one time, experienced mediation or the relaxation response. What was
interesting, however, was how few of us practice it regularly. There was a silent consensus that
for our own good and for the good of those we encounter, it’s time to get back to the good
practices and that there is emerging scientific evidence (thanks to the Benson-Henry Institute)
that THEY WORK!
Unlike many of our programs, the audience lingered to discuss what they felt and several
inquired whether Matt would make himself available to reprise the presentation for elders in
2
various communities. He seemed willing – and more than capable – to replicate this good
experience.
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VETERAN’S BENEFITS
On Friday, November 19th, at 1:30pm, John MacGillivray, of the Veteran’s Affairs Department of
the City of Newton, will present a “Seminar on Aging Veterans – Benefits and Services”, with
Sec. of Veterans Services, Tom Kelly, and Sec. of Elder Affairs, Ann Hartstein, at the Newton
Senior Center. Mayor Warren, a veteran himself, will present. The public is invited.