Ward Off Dementia Through Diet?
NEW RESEARCH SUPPORTS A CORRELATION
New research suggests that individuals who observe a diet commonly known as the the MIND diet are significantly less likely to develop dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease. The MIND (Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay) diet is a hybrid regime that combines elements of the Mediterranean diet with the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) meal plan to promote brain health. The research was spearheaded by the University of Hawaii Cancer Center and the University of Southern California, according to a report presented earlier this month at the annual meeting of the American Society for Nutrition. The findings outline benefits of the MIND diet and conclude that it has a stronger and more consistent risk reduction relationship with dementia than other diet plans. Middle-aged and older participants in the large, long-term study were less likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease or other types of dementia if they followed a diet composed of green, leafy vegetables, olive oil, whole grains, and especially berries – although the relationship varied somewhat among the racial groups. While all the Mediterranean-related diets appear to be good for the brain, the MIND dietary pattern was specifically designed for cognitive health. “One important difference is that MIND includes berries, which have been linked to brain health,” according to Song Yi Park, the lead author of the study. Those who improved their adherence to the diet the most over time showed the greatest risk reduction. And good news: this beneficial relationship was found to exist among the younger and older participants, suggesting that there are benefits to adopting the diet at any age.
SCAM ALERT
FBI WARNS ABOUT UPTICK IN GOLD BAR SCAMS
Law enforcement professionals are alerting the public to an increase in scams involving gold bars and cash. Not surprisingly, older adults are being targeted. The scheme usually works in a few stages. Scammers impersonate tech support, government officials, or bank personnel and reach out to potential victims, notifying them that their financial accounts were used in a crime and need to be “protected.” Victims are directed to liquidate their assets into cash, gold bars, or other precious metals so that it can be temporarily safeguarded. Couriers are sent to retrieve the precious metals or cash, and after a phony authentication process, the assets are gone – never to be returned or recovered. FBI officials say that there has been an upsurge in these scams in New England, most recently in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Officials say they have identified 15 victims in New Hampshire who lost more than $4 million to these scammers between 2023 and 2025. If you, a loved one, or a client has been approached by an ”official” and told to safeguard your financial account with the purchase of precious metals or cash, report the scam to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at ic3.gov.
GOVERNMENT / LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
HOW THE “ONE BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL” AFFECTS SENIORS
The president signed what he calls the “one big beautiful bill,” also known as Public Law 119-21, into law on July 4th. In that the legislation is more than 900 pages, it is a challenge to determine how the law affects older Americans. Fortunately, AARP has done that work for us. This article outlines some of the major ways the law will likely impact seniors. The bill’s largest tax implication makes permanent the reduced income tax rates enacted during Trump’s first term, which were set to expire next year. Another significant provision “provides targeted tax relief for older adults in the form of a $6,000 “bonus” deduction that could offset federal taxes on Social Security benefits for some.” According to the piece, the full deduction is available to taxpayers age 65 and older with a modified gross adjusted income of up to $75,000 for an individual and $150,000 for a couple filing jointly. The deduction is reduced for higher earners, up to $175,000 for a single filer and $250,000 for a couple. Above those thresholds, the taxpayer doesn’t qualify. The bill also affects the health of older Americans – most notably seniors who are insured under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). It requires new documentation and enrollment eligibility verification, which experts say will hit many older insured folks hard. The new law also applies to those who are on Medicaid, establishing work requirements that may “disqualify a person from enrolling in Medicaid and create additional red tape to show compliance.” And seniors who require food assistance under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) may face challenges as the law raises the age limit for work requirements for SNAP benefits from 55 to 64, meaning that individuals up to age 64 will need more hours per week to receive adequate benefits.
DC Event Honors Centenarians
PARTYING LIKE IT’S 1925
Feeling your age? Thirty centenarians, representing 100 years of American history, celebrated National Centenarian Day in Washington earlier this month. They are survivors of the Great Depression, World War II, the Civil Rights Movement, Vietnam, COVID, and more. Making up just 0.3% of the US population, their presentations spoke volumes – sharing their stories, wisdom, and tips for longevity. One of the participants is 109! The event was organized by the DC Department of Aging and Community Living, which regularly celebrates the city’s senior population.
