Developmental science doctoral students presented research and interactive activities on optimal aging to two groups of older adults at Broadway Station and Touchmark at Harwood Groves senior centers in Fargo.

Student participants included:

·      Brooke Kranzler talked about the benefits of meditation for cognitive functioning and led participants in a guided mediation activity.

·      Franchesca Cortez emphasized the importance of exercising all parts of the brain during everyday activities.

·      Savanna Jellison showed the benefits of balanced exercises, such as yoga.

·      Meghan Yerhot discussed resistance training for seniors, which improve balance, mobility and help in the prevention of falls.

·      Geoffrey Zehnacker brought his two service dogs and showed how animals serve to provide companionship, improve mood and reduce stress.

·      Vimbayi Chinopfukutwa covered how music can be used to promote coping and socioemotional health while aging.

·      Masahiro Toyama spoke about longevity and practices people in his native country of Japan use to live long, healthy lives. Toyama’s presentation focused primarily on the Japanese diet, which is high in vegetables, legumes and fruits, with low consumption of meats and moderate consumption of seafood and alcohol, Seniors sampled healthy Japanese foods.

The students are part of a course on adult development and aging.

“Older adults in our community not only enjoy, but also benefit from interacting with and learning from NDSU students,” said Heather Fuller, assistant professor of human development and family science. “This type of outreach allows students to take the concepts they have learned in the classroom and share them with those in the community whom the information directly benefits.”

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