Osher Lifelong Learning Institute
Unlocking the Secrets to a Long and Healthy Life: A Critical Review of Premises and Promises in Current Literature
Speaker
Beverly Sanborn
Coordinator
William Reiner
Can we stretch out our health span to match our
lifespan? Can we live to 100 or more? Can we slow
down the rate of aging? A tsunami of multibillion-
dollar businesses answer “yes” if we follow their
hormone therapies, supplements and how-to books.
But is the answer really a “yes” or is it a “maybe”?
In three discussion sessions, we will explore and
critique a selection of popular longevity books.
The facilitator will provide participants with
background material.
April 9: Living to 100
The Blue Zones: Nine Lessons for Living Longer
by Dan Buettner
Buettner, a journalist for National Geographic, uses
scientific data to identify five longevity hot spots: the
Barbagia region of Sardinia, Italy; Okinawa, Japan;
Loma Linda, California; Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica
and the Greek island of Ikaria. He shows how history,
genes and traditions seem to favor each population
and presents us with nine lessons that add more
years to our own lives.
Living to 100 by Thomas T. Perls, M.D. and Margery
Hutter Silver, Ed.D.
Perls and Silver direct Harvard’s New England
Centenarian Study, the first and largest
comprehensive investigation of the world’s oldest
people. Since 1955 they have analyzed the mental,
physical and emotional health of all centenarians
within a defined area. Results of their study give us
lessons in living to our maximum potential.
April 23: Brain Games
The Complete Guide to Memory: The Science of
Strengthening Your Mind by Richard Restak, M.D.
A Harvard neurologist and memory expert presents
the scientific facts about memories—how they
form, different kinds of memory, and memory and
emotional regulation. He suggests what he calls Tips
and Tricks to keep your brain agile.
The Memory Bible, by Gary Small, M.D.
UCLA psychiatrist and memory expert presents
memory exercises, brain fitness programs, memory
enhancement drugs and foods that can improve your
mental performance.
April 30: Lifestyle for Longevity
Laura Carstensen, Ph.D.
Carstensen is director of Stanford’s Center on
Longevity. She debunks myths and misconceptions
about aging and focuses on important lifestyle
components of a long life.
The Good Life by Robert Waldinger, M.D. and Marc
Schulz, Ph.D.
Waldinger and Schulz direct the Harvard Study of
Adult Development, the world’s longest longitudinal
mental health study of adult development. Results
show how we can make our lives happier and more
meaningful through our connections with others.
lifespan? Can we live to 100 or more? Can we slow
down the rate of aging? A tsunami of multibillion-
dollar businesses answer “yes” if we follow their
hormone therapies, supplements and how-to books.
But is the answer really a “yes” or is it a “maybe”?
In three discussion sessions, we will explore and
critique a selection of popular longevity books.
The facilitator will provide participants with
background material.
April 9: Living to 100
The Blue Zones: Nine Lessons for Living Longer
by Dan Buettner
Buettner, a journalist for National Geographic, uses
scientific data to identify five longevity hot spots: the
Barbagia region of Sardinia, Italy; Okinawa, Japan;
Loma Linda, California; Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica
and the Greek island of Ikaria. He shows how history,
genes and traditions seem to favor each population
and presents us with nine lessons that add more
years to our own lives.
Living to 100 by Thomas T. Perls, M.D. and Margery
Hutter Silver, Ed.D.
Perls and Silver direct Harvard’s New England
Centenarian Study, the first and largest
comprehensive investigation of the world’s oldest
people. Since 1955 they have analyzed the mental,
physical and emotional health of all centenarians
within a defined area. Results of their study give us
lessons in living to our maximum potential.
April 23: Brain Games
The Complete Guide to Memory: The Science of
Strengthening Your Mind by Richard Restak, M.D.
A Harvard neurologist and memory expert presents
the scientific facts about memories—how they
form, different kinds of memory, and memory and
emotional regulation. He suggests what he calls Tips
and Tricks to keep your brain agile.
The Memory Bible, by Gary Small, M.D.
UCLA psychiatrist and memory expert presents
memory exercises, brain fitness programs, memory
enhancement drugs and foods that can improve your
mental performance.
April 30: Lifestyle for Longevity
Laura Carstensen, Ph.D.
Carstensen is director of Stanford’s Center on
Longevity. She debunks myths and misconceptions
about aging and focuses on important lifestyle
components of a long life.
The Good Life by Robert Waldinger, M.D. and Marc
Schulz, Ph.D.
Waldinger and Schulz direct the Harvard Study of
Adult Development, the world’s longest longitudinal
mental health study of adult development. Results
show how we can make our lives happier and more
meaningful through our connections with others.
Speaker Bio
Beverly Sanborn is a licensed clinical
social worker and gerontologist. She is a graduate
of UC Berkeley with a master’s in social work from
UCLA. Ms. Sanborn’s specialty is the translation
of research results into hands-on programs for
people living in memory care facilities. Her model
environments have been presented at national
and international scientific conferences, and she
has received numerous awards and recognition
from the assisted living industry.
social worker and gerontologist. She is a graduate
of UC Berkeley with a master’s in social work from
UCLA. Ms. Sanborn’s specialty is the translation
of research results into hands-on programs for
people living in memory care facilities. Her model
environments have been presented at national
and international scientific conferences, and she
has received numerous awards and recognition
from the assisted living industry.
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