MOVE, MOVE, MOVE: MIND AND BODY—AN EXERCISE IN FERTILITY OR FUTILITY?

As our aging population continues to increase, factors designed to maximize quality of life become an imperative. Based upon over 40 years of clinical and research experience with aging populations, many of whom have sustained neurological deficits such as stroke, this presentation reviews some contributions that have helped to foster novel interventions to confront this imperative. Whether discussing the introduction and systematic assessment of Tai Chi as an approach to delay the onset of falls or procedures to improve limb function following stroke, common threads become intertwined in the fabric of brain plasticity sewn by fundamental percepts of problem solving and proactive engagement. Conclusions derived from a review of some of this work would encourage more group based activities throughout the aging process that are directed by peers and supported by family members.