Page 159 - Mind Games The Aging Brain and How to Keep it Healthy

Support the Aging Brain • 143

Photo courtesy of Winfield Leitzer

Older and Wiser

You couldn’t find a busier person than Rita Gifford, 77, who is
out and about volunteering her services, if not traveling around the
world. Starting out as a den mother in the 1950s, she’s been busy
ever since. Rita has worked for her local historical society, raised
funds for the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, and given her time
to visit a blind woman and take her to church. She and her hus-
band, Bob, travel in the Elderhostels Education Program and have
studied in Europe, Asia, and all over the USA—30 countries in all!
In 1980, Rita began a senior aerobics program. Her doctor
thinks it may have saved her life. Early in 1994, Rita suffered the
first of a series of life-threatening heart problems, ending with by-
pass surgery in 1996. One of the amazing things I notice about
Rita is her unflappability. She persevered and did what was nec-
essary to recover. Her positive attitude was a tremendous asset to
her mending process.
And, yes, she’s back at aerobics now that her doctor has given
the go-ahead, and she is going strong!

on your mental agility and physical health, both of which
you can improve.