Washington Post Reports: Quick Summary No matter how old you are, or how much junk food you consume, it’s never too late to start undoing the damage caused by a poor diet. Scientists have found that people can gain sizable health benefits at any age by cutting back on highly processed foods loaded with salt, sugar and other additives and replacing them with more nutritious foods like fruits, vegetables, nuts, beans, lentils, seafood and whole grains.

Forbes Reports: Quick Summary A brain exercise is any activity that engages your cognitive skills. A 2014 study found brain exercises helped older adults maintain reasoning skills and speed of cognition 10 years after the research period came to an end. The key is that the exercises must be difficult, but not too difficult. Key Points It’s important to engage in mentally challenging activities that allow you to constantly learn and get better. Adding novel behaviors that you never performed before helps build new neural circuits that will be built to handle that challenge.

Harvard Health Publishing Reports: Quick Summary A recent study showed that certain healthy habits throughout life can create a “cognitive reserve” that may protect an aging brain from the effects of dementia. Key Points Engaging in a mentally stimulating lifestyle when we are younger may help us retain thinking and memory skills later in life. Other studies have suggested that adopting brain-stimulating habits in older age can still offer protection against cognitive decline. A combination of endeavor — mental, social, and physical — provides the best buffer.

Governor Newsom reports: California Governor Gavin Newsom, with The California Department of Social Services (CDSS), announced recently that 12 organizations, funding 14 projects were awarded a total of $53 million in grants to create more residential care options for older adults and adults with disabilities, including people at risk of or experiencing homelessness. A total of 402 beds or units will be created with these funds. This new investment follows $47 million that was awarded to five organizations this past August.