Marion Nestle Nutritionist, Aging Women’s Brains, How to Have the Elders Driving Conversation 4-22-25

We discussed an article by Elizabeth Dunn on Dr. Marion Nestle, an 88-year-old nutritionist, emphasizing a varied diet, portion control, and limiting junk food - introduced by Debbie Howard. 

Ray Gordon presented studies on aging women's brains, noting a gene that slows brain aging in females and conflicting results on hormone therapy and Alzheimer's risk. 

Elizabeth Magallon Fleury introduced strategies for discussing driving cessation with empathy and professional evaluations.

Presented by Debbie Howard, Aging Matters International
NY Times 4-7-25 Dr. Marion Nestle by Elizabeth Dunn
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/07/well/marion-nestle-nutrition-food-profile.html 

Marion describes herself as a "lumper" versus a "splitter".

Presented by Ray Gordon, Architect, Urban Planner, Futurist and Former Pratt Institute Grad School Professor
NY Times 3-5-25 Aging Women’s Brain Mysteries Are Tested in Trio of Studies by Gina Kolata
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/05/health/women-brains-alzheimers-aging.html

Presented by Elizabeth Magallon Fleury CAPS, Elizabeth's Life's Encore Planning
NY Times 4-19-24 How to Have the Elders Driving Conversation by Catherine Pearson
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/19/well/family/seniors-driving.html

Some excerpts from the article that inspired discussion:

“It’s really not about their age,” said Marvell Adams Jr., the chief executive officer of the nonprofit Caregiver Action Network. “It’s about changes in their ability, which can happen to anyone.”

“Make the provider the bad guy,” she said.
Many of Ms. Waugh’s clients come to her through referrals from primary care doctors, neurologists or eye doctors, though family members also reach out directly. She charges $175 for a 90-minute clinical assessment, and $200 for a road evaluation — fees that she acknowledged might be prohibitive for some families. (She has not succeeded in getting insurance to reimburse her clients.) But, experts say, professional driving evaluations can offer objectivity and clarity.

Debbie Howard's summary of this show.

Articles are listed in the order they were presented and discussed.

Discussion hosted by:  Linda Sherman, Ray Gordon and Debbie Howard

BoomerTechTalk.com episode page

4-22-25 LinkedIn Show Post

Nickie’s Tune written and performed by Richard Sherman

Chapters

• 0:00 Introduction
• 2:40 Marion Nestle Nutritionist
• 26:29 Aging Women’s Brains
• 42:18 How to Have the Elders Driving Conversation
• 53:44 Debbie Howard Summary