Mind Matters: The Science and Care Health Fair

LEXINGTON, Ky. (June 15, 2010) – The University of Kentucky Sanders-Brown Center on Aging, UK HealthCare and the Greater Kentucky and Southern Indiana Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association will sponsor Mind Matters: The Science and Care Health Fair from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, June 26, at the Second Presbyterian Church, Main and Ransom streets, Lexington.

The third annual health fair will feature hands-on activities that allow everyone to explore the incredible power of the brain and learn about the latest research advances in the areas of healthy aging and Alzheimer’s disease.

"This year we will focus on diet, nutritional supplements, and physical/mental exercises to promote normal, healthy brain aging," said Dr. Greg Jicha, assistant professor of neurology, UK College of Medicine, and a physician/researcher at the UK Sanders-Brown Center on Aging and UK Alzheimer's Disease Research Center. "You too may be able to have the brain health of a teen-ager past the age of 100 years. We know this is possible through contributions to our research program over the years.

In addition, the event will include free brain-healthy treats designed to stimulate your mind and excite your palate, he said.

Seminars will include discussions of the role of exercise in maintaining brain health, an overview of nutritional supplements to promote healthy brain aging, an expert panel question and answer session on brain health, and an update from the Alzheimer’s Association on a new early Alzheimer's disease education and support group, as well as current and future state and federal AD legislation and how one can get involved.

"Of course, we will be offering free memory screens, so please bring a friend, especially if there is a concern of his or her memory or thinking," said Jicha.

Entertainment will be provided by the New Horizons Jazz Band, comprised of seniors who have learned to play a new musical instrument in their golden years, and by a gold medal winning senior dance troupe, the Energizers.

For more information about the health fair, call the UK Alzheimer's Disease Center at (859) 323-5550.

Go to www.mc.uky.edu/coa/ for information on the UK Sanders-Brown Center on Aging.