Q. We get such a kick out of my 75-year-old mom. She’s constantly trying to figure out ways to look and act younger. She’s even talking about going back to work. Sometimes I worry that she will over-do. I know there’s no fountain of youth, after all!
More power to your mother! If you’re really concerned, why not encourage her to get a comprehensive doctor’s physical to ensure that she is isn’t, in fact, overdoing it.
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And as for that fountain of youth, you might find this study of interest. But first, here’s what we already know: restricting calorie consumption is one of the few proven ways to combat aging. Though the underlying mechanism is unknown, calorie restriction has been shown to prolong lifespan in yeast, worms, flies, monkeys and, in some studies, humans.
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Now researchers have developed a computer problem-solving program that predicts which genes can be “turned off” to create the same anti-aging effect as calorie restriction, which could lead to new drugs to treat aging.
Most of these computer problem-solving programs try to find drug targets that kill cells to treat cancer or bacterial infections. But this program is the first in the field to look at drug targets that could transform cells from a diseased to a healthy state, according to researchers at Tel Aviv University’s Blavatnik School of Computer Science.
It may be a while before your mother can turn back the clock on aging. But there are careers that someone with her life experiences could enjoy. One of those is non-medical caregiving.
Home Instead Senior Care®, for instance, hires and trains many seniors to serve as CAREGivers to other older adults. The company has found that seniors make wonderful caregiving companions for other seniors.
Your mother would be providing companionship and helping with household tasks such as meal preparation, light housekeeping, medication reminders, personal and Alzheimer’s and dementia care, errands and shopping.
For more information about Home Instead Senior Care®, contact Mary Dorss, Community Liaison at 703.530.1360 or go to www.HomeInstead.com/manassas-va. For more about the study, visit http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2014-01/afot-tot010214.php.
