I starting taking cello lessons from a local instructor in January. My reasons included a long-time love for the instrument – I even have a framed poster of Yo-Yo Ma on my office wall! – and knowing that challenging my brain to learn music after 50 years would be a very good anti-dementia practice. Whenever I struggle to coax musical sounds (more yowl than Yo-Yo) from my practice sessions, I repeat the “It’s good for my brain” mantra under my breath! As a 60-something adult, brain health is something I think about often. Turns out, there’s something else us mid-life folks should be thinking about too with regard to warding off dementia: air quality!
There’s little we can do to control air quality outside of our homes, but there’s quite a bit we can do inside. And thanks to a new study from the University of California San Diego, a powerful reason to do so: Air pollution has been linked to cognitive decline in a new study. The men they studied were all in their 50s and 60s, not the 70-plus oldsters we ordinarily associate with dementia.
My latest article looks at the two biggest air pollution culprits and what you can do to eliminate or reduce them in your home. You can – and should – read that here in my latest Forbes.com article.
Fumes from gas-powered mowers, appliances and cars create dangerous pollution for you and your family members.
(Photo: Pixabay)
If you know someone suffering from dementia, I wrote in March about how to make their home safer and more comfortable for them. You can read that Forbes.com article here. I also hosted a Clubhouse conversation with three experts that you can listen to here.
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BONUS NUGGET
When I was at Coverings last month, I spotted this really cool new technology for porcelain walls and countertops that I wrote about for Forbes.com. You can read about it here.
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SOCIAL GOLD
Next Wednesday on Clubhouse, I’ll be exploring outdoor kitchen and living space ideas and trends with three pros. You won’t want to miss this conversation!
The discussion takes place at 4 pm EST, 1 pm PST (and all the related time zones) next Wednesday, May 17! Hope you’ll join us.
COMING UP THIS YEAR:
- 5/17 Outdoor Kitchen Ideas and Trends
- 6/21 Best Man Cave Ideas and Trends
- 7/5 Best She Shed Ideas and Trends
What other topics do you want to hear about in the new year? Comment below and let me know.
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PAST CLUBHOUSE RECORDINGS
Here are links to Clubhouse recordings from past sessions.
2023 Recordings:
- 5/3 Designing with Water Features (Ponds, Fountains, Water Walls, Etc.) — Recording Link
- 4/5 Top Tile Trends — Recording Link
- 3/15 Wellness Design and Dementia — Recording Link
- 3/1 Best Wellness Products from Design & Construction Week — Recording Link
- 2/15 Designing with Fire Features (Fireplaces, Fire Tables, Fire Pits, Etc.) — Recording Link
- 1/18 Healthy Home Improvements with Best ROI — Recording Link
- 1/4 Creating Home Fitness Rooms — Recording Link
2022 Recordings:
- Find these links on their new archive page!
2021 Recordings:
- Find these links on their new archive page!
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GOLD DUST
Here are some links that could be helpful to you in living a safe, healthy life at home:
- Remodeling-related: How to get contractors to look at your job — Fixr
- Bathroom-related: Best bidets of 2023 — BobVila.com
- Bedroom-related: Sheet buying guide — Tristan Gary Blog
- Gardening-related: Toil gently while tending garden — San Diego Union-Tribune
