Living Past 90:  What’s the Secret Sauce?  And what about Dementia?

Our speaker is Claudia Kawas, M.D., Professor of Neurobiology & Behavior and Neurology, at the University of California, Irvine.  Claudia thinks she may know some of the answers, or at least part of some of the answers.  She is a geriatric neurologist and researcher in the areas of aging and dementia and has conducted extensive studies in cognitive and functional abilities of the Oldest Old (over 90 years of age), studying more than 1,400 people aged 90 years and older.

What’s the secret?  Is it living a cautious life, perhaps not drinking alcohol or coffee, maybe taking vitamins and supplements, or getting exercise?  What keeps us going past 90?  Is the answer for women different than for men? And what causes dementia, that plague that can make living past 90 not so fun? Some of the answers will likely surprise you.  You may remember seeing Claudia discussing her studies with Leslie Stahl on 60-Minutes.  If you did, you know she’s articulate, personable and funny.  Don’t miss this special lunch.