Pearl Harbor, Sacrifice and Strength: The surprise attack on Pearl Harbor early in the morning on December 7, 1941 prompted the United States to enter World War II. The event shocked the nation and turned domestic support towards war engagement. Learn about the many sacrifices made by Americans on this day and the countries enduring strength.

Classic Winter Destinations: Travel New England: Enjoy the beauty of the Berkshires, the mountains of New Hampshire and the mansions in Newport as we discuss the hardy stock of New Englanders during winter. Tour through classic wintertime destinations like Rockwell’s picturesque Red Lion Inn and the Trapp Family Lodge in Vermont.

Towns and Landmarks: Local History Comes Alive: Trail through Thoreau’s Walden, tour the historic landmarks of Harvard Square, traverse the history of the millworkers in Lawrence, see the city from Castle Island, see where the Boston Marathon begins and tour the famous Baker’s Chocolate factory. Take note of the unique history and landmarks that comprise our surroundings as you share your own stories about these spaces.

The Bing Band Era: Swing and Sway: Big Band music’s popularity pulsated from the early 1930s into the late 1940s. Listen to saxophones, trumpets, trombones, and crooners as we learn about this era of music and the dances that went along with it. Benny Goodman, Glen Miller, Louis Armstrong, and the Dorsey Brothers will be among the many musicians we’ll rediscover.

Seasonal Celebrations: Holiday History and Traditions: ‘Tis the season to be merry. Explore seasonal celebrations from cultures and countries around the world. Compare the holidays of yesteryear with those of today. Search through time and find the historical roots of your own traditions.

What are your plans for cognitive health this month and in the new year?

Armed Forces: Being called to serve meant commitment and sacrifice for one’s country. Even though there is no longer a draft, men and women are still being called to serve for the causes of liberty and freedom. Let’s remember those who have gone before us and honor those who are devoting their lives in service to America today.

Thanksgiving Traditions: A humble meal shared by early colonialists and Indians in New England, not formally recognized as a national  tradition until the American Civil War when it was formally proclaimed by President Lincoln as a day of thanks. Today, we celebrate our own family traditions as we learn a bit about the history of Thanksgiving while remembering to give thanks.

Radio Shows, Politics and Personalities: Stretching the truth? Preying on the fearful? Giving a voice to the unheard? Telling it like it is? We can talk about radio talk shows and will guarantee a lively discussion in which everyone gets to speak and be heard.

Impressionists, Images in Art: Impressionists were seemingly more interested in painting the light of day than in political issues seeing the light of day. Yet after centuries of conflict and change, we still return to the images of haystacks, lily pods and sunsets as if we have seen them for the first time. Indulge yourself in a cloudscape and feast your eyes on something perhaps you’ve never seen before.

Women in World War II, Changing Roles: Military nurses, factory workers, mothers, heads of households. Some earned medals, citations, and commendations during World War II, the rest just rolled up their sleeves and went to work each day quietly and strongly. We will learn about them and share our own personal triumphs and stories.

Do these topics interest you too? What do you do to stimulate your own cognitive health?

The Author Reads Excerpts from her book at the Hopkinton Senior Center in Hopkinton, MA on November 7^th at 2 pm.

Susan Rava calls her book Swimming Solo a “support-group-in-a-book” and one reader described it as a “life­line.” Her personal story about her family’s journey through Alzheimer’s disease is grip­ping, sad and funny all at once.

Susan’s story begins when her elderly father-in-law sets out alone to swim straight across Lake Michigan to Milwaukee. Soon after, he is diagnosed with probable Alzheimer’s disease. Susan Rava goes on to describe her other family members who develop Alzheimer’s. She says, “My father showed me a slip of paper. It said, “D-O-R-O-T-H-Y.” He said to me, ‘Your mother’s name. So I don’t forget it.’ He too was in the grip of Alzheimer’s. Then followed both my mother-in-law and finally my mother.”

Susan and her husband were the primary caregivers over 14 years for all four parents who she describes as colorful and productive individuals in their heydays. Her book also chronicles their declines into Alzheimer’s.

One of Senior Living Residences’ memory support communities, Compass at Hopkinton in Hopkinton, MA, is hosting a book signing and reading with this popular author whose book about her family’s struggle with Alzheimer’s disease topped the charts on Amazon.com.

The public is invited to attend the event and meet Susan Rava on Monday, November 7^th at 2:00 pm at the Hopkinton Senior Center located at 28 Mayhew Street in Hopkinton. Those interested in attending are asked to RSVP to Eric Varin, Compass at Hopkinton, 508-435-1011.

Compass at Hopkinton, located on West Main Street in Hopkinton, MA, serves seniors with memory loss from throughout the Metrowest and Worcester County area. For more information about Compass at Hopkinton, visit www.CompassHopkinton.com or call 508-435-1011.

Watch the video here.

The panel of experts featured Dr. Robert Stern, professor of neurology and neurosurgery at Boston University School of Medicine and director of the BU Alzheimer’s Disease Center, whose mission is to be on the cutting edge of research, clinical care and education related to memory loss.

At Senior Living Residences, our forward-looking approach to developing treatment programs for Alzheimer’s care has led to a formal affiliation with Boston University School of Medicine’s Alzheimer’s Disease Center. This unique affiliation brings state-of-the-art treatments for the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease and related cognitive impairments from the clinical research setting to our Compass Memory Support Neighborhoods.

Learn more about our affliation with Boston University by visiting our website http://www.seniorlivingresidences.com/affiliation-with-bu-school-of-medicine.

The 5-day series concludes Friday (October 21) with “Caring for the Coming Wave of Alzheimer’s Cases,” which will feature Senior Living Residences’ COMPASS Memory Support and our innovative approach to treating the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease in a residential assisted living setting.

Tune into WBUR on Friday – Morning Edition airs at 6:35am, 10:35am, and 5:46 pm.

If you miss the series live, you can listen to all the reports on the WBUR web site!

• Part 1: Ralph & Ruth – A Personal Narrative
• Part 2: The State of Alzheimer’s Research
• Part 3: To Test or Not?
• Part 4: Funding Alzheimer’s
• Part 5: Caring for the Coming Wave of Alzheimer’s Cases

We encourage our readers to check out the series. We’d love to hear your thoughts on the program and your experiences with Alzheimer’s disease as a caregiver or family member. You may participate in the discussions here or on our Facebook page www.facebook.com/seniorlivingresidences.

Hawaii: History, Tranquility and Beauty: Explore the fresh floral air of Hawaii and the warm tranquil waters. Learn about how the islands were formed. Focus on the Islands’ people and culture, famous places and important historical events.

Composers: People and their Music: Follow musical composers as their talent, influence, and instrumentation fill the centuries. Recognize movements in the music, as you learn about individual composers and their most famous pieces.

The Underwater World: Explore the world unseen, underwater. Learn about hundreds of underwater species, study the depths of the world’s oceans and focus on the important ecological grounds and their current status.

Destination Autumn, Foliage in New England: Widely known for its beauty and color, explore the scientific reasons for the changing foliage. Explore the best-known regions for leaf peeping and byways of yesteryear and today.

Boundless Space and Astronomy- Travel through space as you explore the stars and planets, their scientific properties and representation in poetry and art. Step back in time when early explorers were punished for their beliefs about the galaxies as you marvel at today’s space program and exploration.

What new topics are you stimulating your brain and cognitive health with this month?

Infrom the conference, it has been noted that in a research trial involving more than 300 depressed individuals with dementia that standard antidepressants were not more effective at relieving depression symptoms when compared with a placebo. In addition, in some instances the medications studied (Remeron and Zoloft), made the study participants feel worse due to adverse reactions.

In the study, all of the participants had improvements in the clinical depression rating scales, however there was no noted difference in the groups, those in the placebo group did just as well as those with the active drugs.

The researchers conducting the study recommend that individuals see a specialist to treat their depressive symptoms, using both a non-drug and possibly drug therapy. Senior Living Residences’ Compass Memory Support provides a supportive, vibrant living community for individuals with dementia. Compass’ research-based approach to intervention and programming provides a program to combat the symptoms of dementia as well as depression that can be associated with it.

Now the two are embarking on a collaborative research program that will look at how music can be used to improve the quality of life for individuals living with dementia. The research study is currently in development with ideas being shared between Dr. Andrew Budson, members of his lab and SLR’s Compass Memory Support Program Directors.

The focus of the research will be utilizing music as an intervention and its possible effect on memory, behavior or mood over time to determine a possible change in various quality of life measures.

Dedicated to promoting research in Alzheimer’s care and continually improving resident quality of life, SLR’s Alzheimer’s Compass Memory Support team is thrilled to be a partner with Boston University for this exciting project.

Check in again soon to learn more about it!

Inventions, Innovations and Pursuit: What inventions stand out in history? What inventions have changed our daily lives? Learn to play the glass armonica as we explore the inventions of Benjamin Franklin, discover how Leonardo DaVinci protected his plans, discoveries and “modern day” inventions. Turn on the lights and imagine the “lab” of Thomas Edison. Tell us about your own invention idea as we explore this innovative field.

New England: Tradition and Travel- Traverse the states that make up New England, from Acadia National Park in Maine to the White Mountains of New Hampshire, the mansions in Newport, the sugar shacks of Vermont and the historical landmarks of Massachusetts. Sample traditional foods from New England and share your own favorite places as you learn about the rich history that makes this area unique.

Weddings Ceremonies: History and Culture- Take part in an ancient wedding ceremony and one of today. Learn about the cultural celebrations of these unions across the globe as you share your own wedding day experiences. Taste the various foods served in these ceremonies and the historical customs that mark each celebration.

The Kennedy’s, A Family of Politics, Pride, and Public Service- Trace the family tree of the Kennedy family and its Massachusetts’ roots as you follow this family through its storied and at times, tragic, history. Examine the speeches of its famous political leaders and their legacy of service to America, as you share your own recollections of this famous family.

Boundless Space and Astronomy- Travel through space as you explore the stars and planets, their scientific properties and representation in poetry and art. Step back in time when early explorers were punished for their beliefs about the galaxies as you marvel at today’s space program and exploration.

What are you learning about this month?

For the past month at Compass on the Bay, local musician, Doug Robinson has been creating individualized listening programs for each of the residents, based on their own favorite music, responses to songs and recollections. In addition, he encouraged residents with a musical past to play at his keyboard.

At the age of fourteen, Gloria Tyrol performed in a piano concert at Carnegie Hall in New York City. Hours of practice led to her playing Malaguena from Suite Andalucia by Ernesto Lecuona, with great composure and precision.

Now, more than sixty years later, she is a resident at Compass on the Bay, coping daily with memory loss associated with dementia. She is reluctant to play at the piano, perhaps fearing the loss of perfection in her original pieces.

However, with great pride, she played her own famous piece from Carnegie Hall in one of the recent Music Focus groups with Doug Robinson. Placing her fingers on the keys, the memories began to flow along with the music, as she shared her experience and recollections from her original concert.

At Senior Living Residences, innovative programming is measured in individual accomplishments. Re-playing an important concert, remembering your past and connecting with your own self with pride is a true measure of innovation.