Good mental health
The second part of our Balanced Lives programme
Taking care of your mental health is equally as important as looking after the physical aspect. That’s why it forms the second part of the programme.
In later life, it’s important to feel good about yourself. The Balanced Lives programme enables you to use newfound mobility and confidence to put your mind to new things. And there’s no limit to what you can achieve.
For example, our lively group in York collaborated on a special project entitled Grannies’ Moustache – an entertaining book of the funny things children say to grandparents – and it’s proved hugely popular.
As one member of the group put it:
“It’s never too late to release your creativity.”
Where to find us
Would you like to improve your health and feel better?
- Get stronger in old age
- Improve your balance
- Increase your stamina
- Improve mobility and flexibility
Scientific research and Balanced Lives
New brain cells are made throughout life
Conventional wisdom tells us that as we get older we slow down mentally, but that goes against scientific research. A recent study* by the University of Madrid – as reported by BBC News – has confirmed that new brain cells are made throughout life.
While it is true that most of our neurons (brain cells that send electrical signals) are in place by the time we are born, these neurons do not emerge in the brain fully formed, they have to go through a process of growing and maturing. Researchers looked at the hippocampus – the part of the brain involved in memory and emotion – and were able to spot ‘new’ neurons in the brain. As University researcher Dr Maria Llorens-Martin explained to BBC News: “I believe we would be generating new neurons as long as we need to learn new things…”
At Action for Elders we believe it is essential to keep the mind active in later life. The fact that new brain cells are being produced all through your later years, shows that a programme such as Balanced Lives has limitless possibilities.
*The study, published in Nature Medicine, looked at the brains of 58 deceased people aged between 43 and 97. It concluded that although we begin to lose nerve cells in early adulthood, we continue to produce new brain cells even into our 90s.
Donate to help us end loneliness in old age
We need your help to keep our programmes going.
You can make a difference by donating directly or by raising money for Action for Elders
Make a difference today
Contact us
Email: info@actionforelders.org.uk
Phone: 030 330 30132
Post: Action for Elders, Elfed House, Oak Tree Court, Mulberry Drive, Cardiff Gate, Cardiff CF23 8RS
Get in touch
Action For Elders is a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales under number 7698491 and registered as a Charity number 1145996
Action For Elders CIC Company No. 7604286 ©Copyright 2019 - 2023 Action for Elders
Registered office: Elfed House, Oak Tree Court, Mulberry Drive, Cardiff Gate, Cardiff CF23 8RS
