Behavioral Neurology in the Elderly [ Active ]

Preface

Major developments in science, technology, and health care now offer an unprecedented longevity to individuals living in modem society. Whereas at the beginning of the 20th century the average life span did not extend much longer than a person's 40th decade, today, on average, we can expect to live well into our 70s. Reaching the age of 80 is no longer as much of a feat as it used to be. Now, there is an everlarger older adult population made up of men and women with almost double the life expectancy their ancestors had no more than 100 years ago. This is a fact. We live longer than we used to, and this obviously means there has been an increase in the quantity of life. However, our modem society, which has made such great progress in so many areas, is no longer content with quantity. Society now demands increasing quality of life for the older adult population.

The aim of this book is to help achieve this goal: greater quality of life for the oldest members of our society. Once we are assured of a longer life, we want to make sure that the time spent living it will be spent in the best physical and mental states possible. Behavioral Neurology in the Elderly seeks to provide a close look at the current knowledge regarding the neurobiological foundations of human behavior, specifically focused on older adults. Quality of life directly depends on the functioning of the adult brain and the way in which cognition, emotions, and behavior emerge from these brain functions. How can we place this quantity of life if we lack memory of our experience? And what if we cannot reason? What happens to our emotions and feelings as we age? What if we must physically depend upon others to fulfill our needs and desires? We hope to answer these and other questions within these pages, offering solutions and guidance regarding treatment, where necessary, and prevention, when timely.

Neuropsychologists, neurologists, neuropsychiatrists, and neuroscientists in general have much to offer in the quest to further improve mental health in the elderly adult population. Ongoing research continues working toward achieving this important objective. Behavioral Neurology in the Elderly has been conceived in the hope that it can be useful to all those who work with older adults, to those people who are more concerned with improving the quality of life rather than simply maintaining life or just providing care. We must go beyond. Old age should not be a time of illness or a time of idleness or boredom. Healthy old age today is a time of gratification and joy during which the fullness of knowledge and emotion that the older adult offers blends into the creative flow and prosperity of our society.

It is our hope that this book contributes to this goal and can be useful to all those who strive to give the best of themselves in their commitments to maintain the knowledge and wisdom generated by a healthy adult brain integrated within our society.